I have recently started exploring a new resource for my classroom that has both interested and inspired my lessons. Specifically for reading this online resource has given me a new outlook and experience with how to activate prior knowledge before reading. As I have learned in so many texts throughout my undergrad education program and in continuing education, activating the students' prior knowledge can have a profound affect on the learning. For example, from How Learning Works, we learn that students enter into our classrooms with a wide range of prior knowledge on a variety of subjects. (2010) If students enter our rooms with a range of experiences then how can we, as teachers planning lessons, know how to plan accordingly.
This new resource is one I discovered through an exploration of delicious. Through exploring the resources of those in my network. It is www.WordSift.com. I am able to take a large piece of text and enter it into a box. The site then 'sifts' through it and turns out a selection of words from the text. The example given on the site is the 'I Have a Dream' Speech. If entered into the text box, the following words come back to you: able, freedom, great, hope, injustice, join, negro, satisfied, stand, together, and white. This is just a selection of the total number of words that come through after the 'sift' but it gives a good picture of how the site works.
Here is an example of a "not so great" way to introduce a topic. Although something I have definitely done in the past. This is the type of introduction I would like to get away from, and wordswift will help me do so.
The concept of activating prior knowledge is so very important and I truly feel so happy that I have encountered this site and am able to use it in my classroom. I am excited about the potential experiences I may have and the types of conversations that will happen in reaction to these word sifts in the classroom.
Resources:
Ambrose, Susan A., Bridges Michael W., DiPietro, Michelle, Lovett, Marsha C., Norman, Marie K. (May 2010) How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. California: Josey-Bosstalawless. (July 30, 2011) Retrieved September 8, 2011 from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=397edFYDocc
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