Building Background Knowledge
CTE READS: Building Background Knowledge
Written by: Carilyn Knill, Peggy LaShier, Ann Tebo, Kathy Wooton
School: Skyline Grade Level and/or Subject: High School Length of Study: 15-30 minutes
Content Objective: TSW
 Assemble a KPL chart to demonstrate background knowledge.
 Describe their predictions in teacher led open discussion to prepare class KPL Chart
Lesson or Performance Objective:
Building Background Knowledge – Tapping into what the students already know about a particular
topic or concept when new topics or concepts are introduced; building on that background
knowledge to better facilitate the learning of new concepts.
Standards Addressed:
AIMS Connection:
Strand 1: The Reading Process
PO 4. Connect information and events in text to experience and to related text and sources.
Strand 3: Comprehending Informational Text
Materials, Resources and Technology Needed: Using a KWL Chart (Graphic Organizer):
You might want to try a different way to start the concept or topic. Included in this lesson is a KWL
Chart graphic organizer for you to try. Students can as easily use their own paper if you don’t
have copies made. See following page for organizer. To avoid the response of “nothing” in the
want column, you can change the chart to a “KPL” chart and take the word “want” out altogether.
Students are asked to predict what they think they will learn by reading the chapter, article, etc.
See following page for KPL chart.
Instructional Procedures or Anticipatory Set:
When we encourage students to draw on or build background knowledge either by reading it from a
textbook or listening to a lecture, we help them to better comprehend the material. Helping students
to tap into their background knowledge on any topic or concept will save teachers a great deal of
time and effort on re-teaching the material. When the teacher does not have to give students all of
the background needed to understand a new concept the lessons can proceed at a much faster pace.
Presentation Skills
1. Start a lesson by writing a question on the board that is designed to elicit a response from the
students and that has something to do with building background on the topic you will be
covering in the lesson. Examples: Tell me how you primarily use the Internet.
2. When they have finished asked them to write their lists on the board and compare lists to see
how many things are the same.
3. Read a brief article or passage from a book on the topic or concept you are presenting in the
lesson. Ask students to write down all the things from the article that they already knew, and
then discuss their ideas.
Assessment:
Students will complete and turn in the KPL Chart.
1
Building Background Knowledge
K-P-L Chart
What I Know, What I Predict I will Learn, What I’ve Learned
What I Know
What I Predict I Will Learn
Summarize what you have learned:
2
What I’ve Learned
Building Background Knowledge
K-W-L Chart
What I Know, What I Want to Know, What I’ve Learned
What I Know
What I Want to Know
Summarize what you have learned:
3
What I’ve Learned
Building Background Knowledge
4