The more that you know about a topic, the easier it is to read a book about it and understand what you are reading. Many of our students would have little difficulty reading and understanding a story about farm animals because we live in a rural community. Most of us know a farmer or have seen farm animals. Farm animals are something that we have some knowledge about.
However, if given a story about creatures of the sea, very few of our students have been to the ocean or an aquarium to have any background knowledge about sea life. A book that talks about a coral reef can be as difficult for our students as a doctor's manual would be for you or me, if we have no experience or knowledge of the subject.
In order for students to be successful readers, especially with non-fiction text, we need to help them build background knowledge about topics that are unfamiliar to them. To build background knowledge for our students, we can read books aloud on the topic, or use photographs, discussions, or multimedia to give students a glimpse into the topic. One of my favorite ways to build background knowledge is to use short videos. Students are better able to comprehend a story about a coral reef, or understand tide pools, if they are able to see them in action.
Discussions to build background knowledge should include vocabulary related to the topic, as well as words that may have multiple meanings. Analogies can be made to help students make connections between what they know and new knowledge.
It is important to help your child build background knowledge on topics that are new to them. We need to help them make that link from the known to the unknown. We are all teachers, helping children to learn and build that vast expanse of knowledge needed to read nonfiction text.
However, if given a story about creatures of the sea, very few of our students have been to the ocean or an aquarium to have any background knowledge about sea life. A book that talks about a coral reef can be as difficult for our students as a doctor's manual would be for you or me, if we have no experience or knowledge of the subject.
In order for students to be successful readers, especially with non-fiction text, we need to help them build background knowledge about topics that are unfamiliar to them. To build background knowledge for our students, we can read books aloud on the topic, or use photographs, discussions, or multimedia to give students a glimpse into the topic. One of my favorite ways to build background knowledge is to use short videos. Students are better able to comprehend a story about a coral reef, or understand tide pools, if they are able to see them in action.
Discussions to build background knowledge should include vocabulary related to the topic, as well as words that may have multiple meanings. Analogies can be made to help students make connections between what they know and new knowledge.
It is important to help your child build background knowledge on topics that are new to them. We need to help them make that link from the known to the unknown. We are all teachers, helping children to learn and build that vast expanse of knowledge needed to read nonfiction text.