-How important is accessing prior knowledge for students? How do you immerse students in background knowledge or text sets to facilitate activation?
Accessing prior knowledge for students is critical for comprehension. If a student is able to make a connection between previous knowledge or experiences to new content, they are much more likely to store this information long term. To facilitate activation, I often allow students to choose what they want to read. I then allow students of the same book interest to communicate with one another. This technique allows new ideas to be born and creates a deeper aspect of comprehension because they are actually interested in what they are reading.
-Multiple exposures are important for retention and independence. How will you offer these opportunities?
I will offer multiple exposures through short videos, text sets, auto books, and even posters.
-What strategies stuck out to you in this chapter and what ones and how will you bring them into your instruction?
A strategy that really stuck with me in this chapter is the “Sketch to Stretch”. In my 15:1 classroom last year, I had a student who really struggled with all aspects of writing. I wish I would have thought to use “Sketch to Stretch” sooner! Plus, he was an amazing artist. This is something I will be suggesting to his new teacher this year and using for my future writing strugglers.