Mini-Lesson

Activating Prior Knowledge

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will practice activating prior knowledge before they read.

1. Start a discussion about getting ready to read nonfiction texts. Pass out an article from timeforkids.com, and ask: Before reading this article, what might you do to get ready? What steps can you take to help make sure that you will understand what you are reading? Chart students' answers on the board. (Answers may include: Read the headline and subheads, look at the pictures and read their captions, read the first and last sentence of the article and skim the article for bold words and phrases.)

2. Tell students that it is also helpful to take a moment and ask yourself: What do I already know about this topic? This helps readers prepare themselves to find out new information. Invite students to practice this strategy. Have them read the headline and subhead, study the pictures and their captions, then share what they already know about the topic. Then read the article together.

3. Encourage students to share how it went. Ask: What new information did you learn from the article? What questions do you still have about the topic?