Teaching Strategies

Activating Prior Knowledge

One of the most important variables with learning is a student's prior knowledge. By tapping into what students already know, teachers help with the learning process. This is because learning is relating the new information, or concepts, to what we already know. Activating prior knowledge is like preparing the soil before sowing the seeds of knowledge says Jim Cummins.

Strategies to activate prior knowledge include:

• Concept Map
• K-W-L
• Brainstorming
• Graphic Organiser
• Introduction of Key Words

Other useful web sites on activating prior knowledge:

• Critical Issue: Building on Prior Knowledge and Meaningful Student Contexts/Cultures
• Increasing Comprehension by Activating Prior Knowledge