Prior Knowledge, It's Important
Shanna Hall
EDU 668
Professor Susan Hughes
December 17, 2015
Determining Prior Knowledge
The teacher will use visuals to evaluate what students know about honeybees as this article is about honeybees and how one resort is working towards saving them from extinction. Guillaume (1998) states that "the more ways we have of gaining information to build knowledge, the more empowered we become"(p.476). Some examples are, using visuals, multimedia presentations, and writing activities, as suggested by Guillaume (1998). For the purpose of establishing prior knowledge the teacher will share a video about honeybees that explains their function in mother nature. The video will lead to a discussion that will build on students prior knowledge. For example, Guillaume (1998) point out that "well-chosen objects invite conversations and personal connections"(p.478). The video gives students a visual that will stimulate their senses and give them a visual of honeybees which will help them to better understand the topic. Richardson, Morgan, & Fleener (2012) state that, "what students learn is greatly determined by the knowledge they bring to the lesson"(p.53). Thus, the teacher will show the video and invite students to discuss what they know about honeybees by asking them core questions such as, "how,what, why" as a group so that they are sharing ideas with one another as a large group. This will be the first step in determining students prior knowledge.
Building on Prior Knowledge
Student Journals
Preparing the Learner
- K-W-L Chart teacher will record what students know about honeybees and write out what they want to learn on large piece of paper and post this on the board.
- Prior to students to reading the article the teacher will write a preview. This is described by Richardson, Morgan, & Fleener (2012) as "proving reference point and offer students a way to organize new information"(p.68). This will better prepare students for comprehending the article.
- After reading the article students will be asked to prepare a presentation on strategies they have for saving honeybees.
Importance of Determining Prior Knowledge
References
Dewalt, R. (2015, April 22). Oh Beehave!. Sante Fe Reporter, p. 16-21. Retrieved from: eds.b.ebschost.com.proxy.library.ashford.edu.
Guillaume, A.M. (1998). Learning with Text in the Primary Grades. The Reading Teacher, 51(6), p. 476-486. Retrieved from: eds.b.ebschost.com.proxy.library.ashford.edu.
Richardson, J.S., Morgan, R.F., & Fleener, C.E. (2012). Reading to Learn in the Content
Areas.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning