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Prior Knowledge Time Machine

9/25/2012

7 Comments

 
BACKGROUND

The beginning of a new topic usually includes “activating prior knowledge.” When we ask students “What do you know about this topic?” we often see the struggling students sit quietly and be non-responsive. This week I spent significant think-time analyzing what it means to independently activate prior knowledge. As an adult, I don’t have a teacher leading me with prompting questions – I have to activate my prior knowledge independently. We need to teach students this same skill! This is critical for adult success, but also for times when students have to take tests without any teacher assistance.

How do I activate my own prior knowledge? I think back in time, searching various periods in my life where I might have learned something about the topic. I also search various places where I may have been exposed to the content. This often happens at a subconscious level. Making this process obvious and concrete can help struggling students learn this skill.

Picture
Picture
JUMP to the STRATEGY

Yesterday, I arrived in class with a Prior Knowledge Time Machine, including a control panel with knobs for Time and Place. Each student also received a small version of the Time Machine.  You will see from the photos how easy this was to create - just cardboard and bottle caps.

Using “think-aloud,” I modeled for students what I might do if confronted with a topic I knew just a little about. We traveled together back in time (last year, when I was in college, elementary school) and to a variety of places where I might have gathered knowledge on the topic (school, home, museums, vacation.) Students then had the opportunity to practice with a non-academic topic such as soccer, before applying the strategy to our new unit on expository writing.

Students were engaged and making connections! Our plan is to phase out the concrete materials after a few months, but keep the motions (“turn your time knob”, “turn your place knob”) and then transition to just a verbal cue (“Use your time machine” “What can you do to activate your prior knowledge?”) before we get to spring testing season. 

7 Comments
Holly Bella link
7/30/2014 10:21:34 pm

Oh my goodness, thanks for sharing this! My first graders will love this!
Holly

Reply
Annette
10/30/2014 05:03:29 am

Anne, this is brilliant. I hope you don't mind but can I use it with some trainee teachers please?

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ALDO CRISTINO
11/23/2014 09:52:39 am

Thanks a lot. Very interesting hint. Keep helping!

Reply
Rossana Kay link
11/23/2014 01:40:35 pm

I love it! It is so great! I use the "Mistery Box" to activate their prior knowledge. But this would be another idea and fun way to engage them too. Thanks for sharing it!

Reply
Tahmina ghayur
11/23/2014 04:39:17 pm

Very interersting n knowledgeable too.
Kindly tell me the strategy how to memorise lengthy speeches for debate or speech competition.
R
Thanks regards

Reply
Hagop
11/24/2014 01:06:49 am

Super idea..thanks!!!♡

Reply
Katherine
11/12/2016 10:23:25 am

Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this brilliant and engaging activity! Students will LOVE this!

Reply



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    Anne M. Beninghof

    Anne's mission is to improve instruction through collaboration and the sharing of creative, practical ideas for educators.

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