Thinking before reading

Reading something new is an exciting experience. Think about what you do before you begin reading a new text.

Thinking about what we already know about a topic before we begin reading helps us to better understand and learn from what we read. This information that we bring to a topic is what we call our prior knowledge, or our ‘schema’.

How to activate our prior knowledge (schema)

Activating your prior knowledge on a topic will help you to better understand, make connections, and learn from what you read.

Making connections

Before you begin reading a new text, think about similar texts you have read (text to text), related experiences you have had (text to self), and your own knowledge (text to world).

These text connections are posted in the chart below for you to refer to when you need to.

Using a mind map to activate prior knowledge

Creating a mind map is a wonderful way to activate your schema.

Examine the following sample with chocolate as the topic:

With a mind map, you can use pictures, words, or a combination of both.

Task 1: Mind map activity

Create a mind map about school.

You can use the Mind Map Activity to record your ideas about school, or another method of your choice.

TIP: For your mind map, you can list any information and/or ideas related to school or going to school.

For example, your classroom, what you learn about at school, your favourite part of the school day or school year, extracurricular activities, and the like.

Activate your prior knowledge by using the following questions.

• What have I learned from other books/texts that relate to this topic?
• Are there experiences I have had that relate to this topic?
• What knowledge do I have that could help me understand this topic?

Record your prior knowledge using the mind map format or another organizational method of your choice.

Complete the Mind Map Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents.

Linking new information with our prior knowledge

As you read, you will probably learn new information that can be linked to your prior knowledge. Your mind map can be used to record these new links.

Examine the updated mind map about chocolate. The information and/or ideas with an asterisk (*) is new (linked to prior knowledge).

Task 2: Mind map activity continued

Using your mind map about school, explore "Comparing Schools Then And Now," or a nonfiction text of your choice to deepen your understanding about the topic. Update your mind map as you add new learning, and select a way to identify the new learning on your mind map.

Complete the Mind Map Activity Continued in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents.

Making connections

Reflecting on our learning helps us to enhance our reading skills. Use the following template or a brainstorming method of your choice to reflect on how thinking about your prior knowledge helped you to better understand, learn, and connect with a new text.

Complete the Making Connections Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents.

How did thinking about your prior knowledge help you to better understand and connect with a new text?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.