4 Powerful Ways to Build Background Knowledge Before Reading

When it comes to teaching reading comprehension, activating and building background knowledge is a critical first step. The Science of Reading emphasizes that comprehension is the result of combining decoding skills with a reader’s understanding of the world. This means that even the strongest decoders can struggle with comprehension if they don’t have the context or prior knowledge to connect with the text.

So, how can we, as teachers, ensure that our students are equipped with the tools they need to engage with and understand the texts we present? By intentionally activating and building their background knowledge, we create a foundation for success.

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Background Knowledge: What it is? Why does it matter?

Background knowledge refers to the information and experiences students already have that help them make sense of new material. For example, a student reading a story about a family vacation might rely on their knowledge of travel or beach trips to understand the setting and context.

Research consistently shows that readers with strong background knowledge are better equipped to comprehend texts. According to cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham, “Memory is the residue of thought.” This means that the more connections students can make to what they already know, the more likely they are to remember and understand new information. The more actively we think about information, the more likely we are to store it in our memory effectively!

When we activate and build background knowledge before reading, we prepare students to make meaningful connections to the text, improving both their engagement and comprehension.

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Powerful Ways to Build Background Knowledge

1. Visual Prompts
   Show students an image related to the text and ask them to describe what they see. For example, before reading a passage about rainforests, show a photo of a rainforest and ask, “What do you notice about this environment? What might live here?” This encourages observation and helps students begin connecting their prior knowledge to the text.
2. Agree/Disagree Statements
   Present students with statements tied to the topic of the text and have them indicate whether they agree or disagree. For example, before reading about ecosystems, you might say, “All animals need sunlight to survive.” This sparks curiosity, activates prior knowledge, and sets the stage for deeper engagement.
3. Brainstorming and Thought Webs
   Have students brainstorm everything they know about the topic and organize their thoughts in a web. For instance, before reading a biography of Rosa Parks, ask students to share what they know about the Civil Rights Movement, organizing ideas into categories like “people,” “events,” or “laws.”
4. Questioning
   Use questions to prompt students’ prior knowledge. For example, ask, “What do you already know about volcanoes?” before reading a science text. Encourage students to share their thoughts with a partner or the class.

Here are a few other ways you can build background knowledge prior to reading a text:

• Showing a Short Video: A quick video clip can provide context and visuals to make abstract ideas more concrete.
• Reading a Related Text: Share a simple, engaging passage on the topic to provide foundational knowledge.
• Using Real-Life Connections: Relate the topic to something students may have experienced or observed in their own lives.

By intentionally providing context, you ensure students are prepared to tackle the text with confidence.

Activating and building background knowledge is more than just a pre-reading activity—it’s a powerful way to engage students, deepen their understanding, and set them up for success. By incorporating these strategies into your lessons, you create a classroom environment where every student can connect with texts, think critically, and build the confidence to tackle increasingly complex material.

Take the time to activate and build your students’ background knowledge, and unlock their comprehension!

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Need more support with background knowledge in your classroom? Join The Stellar Literacy Collective to to access ready-made lesson plans, engaging activities, and resources designed to help your students connect with texts and boost comprehension. Let’s take the stress out of planning and make your literacy block a time for meaningful learning and growth!