Engaging Students Through Prior Knowledge Activation

Facilitator: Diana Benner

SessioN Description

Learn how to engage students by tapping into their prior knowledge and experiences, setting the stage for deeper understanding and meaningful connections in the classroom. Join us as we explore practical techniques for activating prior knowledge in your lessons.

definition & Benefits

Prior knowledge refers to what a learner already knows before learning new information. It's the information already present before new instruction.

Benefits:

It serves as a foundational building block for new knowledge. It builds on what they know.
It increases student engagement. Students are more likely to interested and motivated when they see connections to what they already know.
It helps identify and address misconceptions.
It gives teachers formative assessment information to adapt instruction.

strategies

multimedia

Before you start a new unit or text, show students a related video or slideshow, or display a photograph. Asking students to write or talk about it with a partner is a great way to instantly gauge prior knowledge, build background, and spark interest. A simple prompt could be “What did you notice?” or “What did you find interesting?” This is a great way to assess background knowledge in an engaging way.

K-W-L Chart

K-W-L charts are graphic organizers that help students organize information before, during, and after a unit or a lesson. They can be used to engage students in a new topic, activate prior knowledge, share unit objectives, and monitor students’ learning.

K-W-L is the creation of Donna Ogle and usually consists of 3 columns.

K stands for Know
This is the prior knowledge activation question.
W stands for Will or Want
What do I think I will learn about this topic? What do I want to know about this topic? This serves as purpose setting.
L stands for Learned
What have I learned about this topic? The "L" is often completed after instruction but can also be used during instruction.

KWL Chart Google Drawing Template

word association

This word association strategy is an ideal way to help students activate prior knowledge that they might have about a topic.

Steps:

Tell students the name of the topic or lesson.
Have students take turns adding as many words related to the topic. Encourage students to write at least three words.
After 3-5 minutes (or less, if no one is adding anything new), discuss their answers. Asking students to share the first three words they associate with a topic can reveal a lot about what information or misconceptions they are bringing into the learning environment.

the first word

The First Word is a variation on traditional acronyms. By going through the process of analyzing words and creating related sentences, you will be able to assess student's prior knowledge.

Steps:

Give students the name of a topic or key concept to write (or type) vertically down the side of a page.
Students should then generate a short phrase or sentence that begins with each letter of the vertical work and offers important information or key characteristics about the topic.
Students can illustrate their "First Words" for posting around the classroom. Sharing "First Words" will allow students to identify important concepts that may have been left out of their own work.

Sun is the star at the center of the solar system

Orbits are the paths that planets take around the Sun

Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon gets blocked by the Earth

Asteroids are big rocks that orbit the Sun

Rings-- the planet Saturn has them

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun

You can see some planets with your naked eye

Some other planets are: Earth, Venue, Mars, Jupiter, Pluto, and Neptune

The Earth is the only planet with life on it

Every year, the Earth orbits the Sun once

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun

carousel brainstorm

While Carousel Brainstorming, students will rotate around the classroom in small groups, stopping at various stations for a designated amount of time. While at each station, students will activate their prior knowledge of different topics or different aspects of a single topic through conversation with peers. Ideas shared will be posted at each station for all groups to read. Through movement and conversation, prior knowledge will be activated, providing scaffolding for new information to be learned in the proceeding lesson activity.

two minute talks

Two Minute Talks are a great way to activate prior knowledge and focus student learning on the topic about to be addressed.

During Two Minute Talks, each student will share with a partner for two minutes by brainstorming everything they already know (prior knowledge) about a skill, topic, or concept. Have a few groups share some of their responses with the entire class when the activity is done.

During these quick talks, you can circulate around the room observing and listening. You will get a clear sense of who has prior knowledge on a topic and who does not.

additional resources

Assess Prior Knowledge with ABC Brainstorming

Are you looking for a way to access student's prior knowledge? If so, try the ABC Brainstorming strategy that works for any grade level or subject area.

Talking Drawings: Five Steps to Assess Student's Prior Knowledge

Are you looking for a way to access student's prior knowledge, a powerful teaching and learning technique? If so, try the Talking Drawings strategy.

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