Activating Prior Knowledge and Building Background
READY
What do I know?
Activating background
knowledge is critical to
facilitate a smooth transition
from what is known to
connection to newly presented
information.
Background knowledge helps
learning come easier due to a
solid foundation being built
prior.
Anticipation images are a prior
knowledge activity used in the
social sciences.
SET
What new information do I
think I will gather?
Proper techniques on when to
introduce connection to
background knowledge.
Best methods to activate
background knowledge.
How to properly present new
knowledge to serve as
background knowledge.
Techniques of reiterating
background knowledge
GO
What new information do I
have?
Concept maps and visuals
mediums are good ways for
students to reiterate and share
their content knowledge in a
more appealing and engaging
way (“Strategies for Activating
Prior Knowledge”, 2014).
Remember to take into
consideration the diversity of
the classroom and the wide
variety of content knowledge.
There will never be a
guaranteed baseline of prior
knowledge (Fisher Et al,
2012).
Providing a solid background
knowledge critical to create an
even playing field of
knowledge to act as a
foundation for instruction
(Shanahan, 2017), (Fisher Et
al, 2012).
Use student content
knowledge as a tool in the
classroom, students become
leaders in classroom (Fisher Et
al, 2012).
Activating background
knowledge heightens
engagement (Shanahan,
WHOA
What questions do I still have?
How do you balance student
choice and having a degree of
continuity and order in the
classroom for inquiry
knowledge activities?
What is the balance for
activating background in a
knowledge concise manner
while still leveling the playing
field for knowledge?
How much prior knowledge is
too much prior knowledge?
(i.e.: they know this so much I
should skip it).
How often should background
knowledge be activated?
Every day or every week?
When is it’s use to much?
(overreliance).
 2017).

Prior knowledge helps with

memory chronology and
sorting of complex subjects in
the mind (Shanahan, 2017).

Specific techniques for Prior

knowledge sharing/activation:

Question station techniques to

extract background knowledge
(“Strategies for Activating Prior
Knowledge”, 2014).

Two-minute talks, concise yet

activates prior knowledge
through recall and interaction
(“Strategies for Activating Prior
Knowledge”, 2014).

Prediction guides, students

deeply involve prior knowledge
to speculate (“Strategies for
Activating Prior Knowledge”,
2014).

References

Fisher, D., Frey, N., & Lapp, D. (2012). Building and activating students’ background knowledge: It’s what they already know

that counts. Retrieved from Building and activating students’ background knowledge: It’s what they already know that counts

Shanahan, T. (2017). Teaching with Challenging Text - Dr. Timothy Shanahan [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhQWjX1RQas&feature=youtu.be
Strategies for Activating Prior Knowledge. (2014). Retrieved from https://scotlandcte.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/strategies-for-

activating-prior-knowledge.pdf