Let's Chat About Background Knowledge....
I think we all agree that we are not "throwing out skills instruction".... I also think we all agree with the importance that background knowledge plays in reading comprehension..... and just maybe..... we need to pay more attention to that.
But how do we incorporate that into our daily instruction without "adding" more to our already busy days?
The below article shares six easy strategies to increase background knowledge.
How to build background knowledge( click on the title to access)
And of course, there is a podcast if you are interested. It is 40 minutes but it is good.
So how are you going to increase background knowledge logically and fidelity at your instructional level?
Can't wait to read your ideas!
Rebecca Minerd
My opinion of background knowledge has definitely been framed by this information. I equate it to when we listed to Sold a Story. Having that podcast as a way to build our background knowledge has made all the other blogs more meaningful. We had knowledge to connect the content we were learning to;)
ReplyDeleteThe more you know, the more you grow!! I think with a little extra planning, background knowledge can be incorporated across all areas of the curriculum and the students will understand more about the topic and the point that your trying to get across. For example, I am teaching about light and sound waves, well we've experimented with some light and sound waves activities in the classroom, had the students touch their voice box, and exam parts of the ear/eardrum. This not only sparked interest, but they were able to make connections. In Math, students completed a Stemscopes lessons including decibels that related to sound waves. In addition, we also read stories about a student who was learning to play a guitar. Guess how many students had guitars at their home?? Several!!! We wrote about sound in Science as well!! By Friday, the students have engaged in several activities across the curriculum that not only taught them basic skills: vocabulary, spelling, math etc.. but will prepare them to read a non-fiction text about Sound and Light Waves. Now, they aren't as reluctant to read, because they have made connections and have had some exposure to the topic. As a teacher, you want them to do well on the cold read and make good grades based on what you've taught them, but overall you want them to make connections that will engage them to become lifelong learners.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS!!!
DeleteA simple way to increase background knowledge is something we've all done...KWL charts! :) They can really get class discussions going to boost background knowledge for students who have not been exposed.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteI like the explanation of the 3 different texts:
ReplyDeleteCall and Response Texts
Rich Fiction or Narrative Nonfiction
Informational Texts
I am inspired to do some read aloud when it comes to informational texts instead of assigned reading.
I love the idea of comparing literal vs figurative language. This is a great way to build vocabulary knowledge before reading. Homophones and words with multiple meanings are also fun as well! This is a great way to build background, but it's also a great way to engage students in games and other activites to have some fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great way! I also agree that it can be engaging. Thanks for the comment.
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ReplyDeleteI once again found this article and podcast eye opening. I think that in the primary years I have been focused so much on teaching the kids to read ("learn to read, so they can read to learn") with only some focus on building their background knowledge. I plan on being more intentional and focused in my read aloud books and pulling in other resources such as virtual field trips to build their background knowledge and vocabulary. I also liked how Numan suggested moving through stages (call and response texts, rich fiction/narrative nonfiction and informational texts) to build their "knowledge networks".
I agree with being more intentional with read alouds and choosing meaningful texts. I also love your idea of using virtual field trips to help build background knowledge!
DeleteOne of my biggest takeaways from visiting the 1st grade classroom this past month was how meaningful and intentional you are with building background knowledge! I LOVED seeing how you took a readworks assignment and were so meaningful with the lesson that you built around it. To me, it is easy to pull Readworks assignments for coldreads and get that data from it but to see how you made sure that the students had background knowledge on the passage before hand was eye opening to me in building that background knowledge for my students and making sure they understand what they are reading. It was interesting to me to see your students learning and asking questions about the Carabao!
DeleteI liked to hear what I have been doing with background knowledge is based in research! In lower grades I have to assume many students have limited vocabulary and background knowledge so I always included activating new information with pictures and stories. I love the visual of the reading rope by Scarborough. I am a visual learner so this helps me see how everything connects together. Since I rely on visuals I think that causes me to be more aware of showing and doing things to increase my student's background knowledge. I do feel that I still need to increase read-alouds and work on connecting more across the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE how we are doing our announcements with each teacher sharing about a particular topic or theme. This is helping students to build background knowledge. Just today, one of my students made a connection with our reading passage today and our announcements from this morning. We have to be cognizant of making the most of every opportunity to share information and experiences with our students.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the morning announcements are informative and show that we are also interested in learning. I also love the conversations that I have with my class after morning announcements because we have a shared experience to start our day with and that is powerful as we build classroom relationships.
DeleteI agree! I love the conversations that are created by the announcements each morning! The students are building background knowledge on the topics we are talking about each morning! I love the questions they ask me each day after they watch announcements! They may not have the opportunity yet to share the same experiences that we have had, but we are broadening their background knowledge by sharing with them each day!
DeleteAfter looking at my I-Ready reading scores, I noticed that figurative language was an area that needed improving. I have added an idiom of the day to our word practice and they are loving it. We talk about the origin of the expression in addition to its meaning and that is providing a lot of background knowledge since many of these expressions have been used for hundreds of years. My students and I are both enjoying this addition to our routine. I found it interesting that the article this week also mentioned figurative language as a way to build background knowledge.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that read alouds are beneficial, but I really like this quote from the article - "Being intentional with our read alouds is an incredible way to build background knowledge". Intentional being the key word. Taking the time to choose texts and have discussions that will truly be meaningful for students and increase their background knowledge and vocabulary is key. I also liked how the article mentioned teaching idioms, literary language and homophones. These are often hard for students to understand and teaching them is important to help students develop vocabulary and background knowledge. It also helps that idioms and homophones can be fun for students to learn!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired! I can Teach Idioms and Literary Language even in a subject like PE.
ReplyDeleteAfter a simple google search for fitness idioms I have found quit the list that will most certainly help build background knowledge.
I plan to teach these fitness idioms before we tackle the next fitness unit and see how it goes!