Activating Prior Knowledge to Improve Reading Comprehension
Welcome to today's lesson on using schema to better understand and make conjectures about a text!
Should you want to get a sample lesson plan on this topic, click here.
But first, let's define what we mean by "schema." In the context of reading and comprehension, schema refers to the background knowledge and experiences that a reader brings to a text. This can include their prior knowledge of the topic being discussed, their understanding of the conventions of a particular genre, and their cultural and personal context.
Now, how can we use our schema to better understand a text? One way is by activating our prior knowledge and making connections to the information presented in the text. For example, if we are reading a science text about photosynthesis, we might use our schema of the basic concepts of photosynthesis, such as the role of chlorophyll and the importance of sunlight, to help us understand and interpret the information presented in the text.
Using our schema can also help us make predictions about what might come next in the text or what a particular word or phrase might mean. This can be especially helpful when reading a text that is dense or unfamiliar.
But it's important to remember that our schema is not always perfect and can sometimes lead us to make incorrect assumptions about a text. It's important to remain open-minded and willing to update our schema as we learn more.
In conclusion, using our schema to better understand and make conjectures about a text can be a valuable tool for improving our reading comprehension. By activating our prior knowledge and making connections to the information presented in the text, we can better understand and interpret what we are reading. However, it's important to remain open-minded and willing to update our schema as we learn more.