Challenge: How can teachers provide the background knowledge ELLs need to better comprehend texts and new content?
Background or content knowledge is essential for understanding academic texts and learning new content. However, ELLs may lack prior knowledge or familiarity with an experience, person, or concept that is addressed within a text that the author assumes readers already know about. Teachers often build background knowledge by pre-teaching key concepts.
Thinking about using Actively Learn to build background knowledge? Here are some ideas:
- Include images in notes (like the examples below) to provide content knowledge and help ELLs understand new vocabulary.
Download the complete Instructional Guide: Build Background Knowledge