How to Use and Improve Your Background Knowledge

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How to use your background knowledge:

o   Before you read something new, check your background knowledge to see what you already know about that.  Keep checking as you read and run into new topics and ideas.

o   Make connections between related subjects, between what you already know and what you don’t yet understand.   This is like this, or this applies to that. 

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How to Improve Your Background Knowledge   

1.     Read.

2.     Read, read.

3.     Read, read, read.

4.     If you don’t understand a subject, look for books for kids about it, or look for something like a  ____________ for Dummies book or a book that explains a complicated subject with cartoons or illustrations. 

5.     Watch educational TV shows and documentaries, listen to educational radio programs.

6.     Go to all sorts of museums and zoos and living history programs.

7.     Pay attention in class.  Teachers want to help you understand.

8.     Pay attention in general.  Observe!

9.     Talk to many different kinds of people.  Ask questions!

10. Live! 

Why?  
 Because the more you know, the more you can learn.
And . . . It's so fun to be the intended audience!
   See clip from Emperor's New Groove.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRW44uCUTN4
  Ms. Dorsey and her daughter were the intended audience!
       Maybe you were, too!