Strategy 2: Planning/Preparation
PreP Pre-reading Plan Level of Expertise: 6
What is the instructional strategy?
The instructional strategy I am using is PreP (Pre-reading Plan), which will help my students to activate and draw upon their prior knowledge and understanding before watching a video clip on alliances from the History Channel (Billmeyer & Barton, 1998).
Why does the strategy work?
This strategy will help students to plan and prepare for the text and content they will engage by encouraging students to utilize and enhance their prior knowledge. They will identify what they already know about the word or concept and articulate how they came to this understanding. It also gives students the opportunity to add to their understanding as a result of the informal class discussion.
How does it work?
1) First, I select a main idea or concept to introduce to students. In this case, the concept is alliances.
2) Then, I prompt students by saying, “What comes to mind when you hear the word alliance?”
3) Students record these responses on the teacher-provided PreP guide. Students are then asked to share their responses by compiling a list on the board.
4) Then, students are asked to reflect on and explain their responses when asked, “What made you think of these things (word associations)?”
5) Finally, bring the activity to a close by saying, “As a result of our brainstorming discussion, can you think of any additional information on the topic?”
Sources References: Billmeyer & Barton, 1998
What does it look like?
Name: ____________________________________
Directions: Complete the PreP guide below before watching Causes of World War I video from the History Channel.
1) What comes to mind when you hear the word alliance?
Ally, countries on the same side, fighting against another side
2) What made you think of these things (word associations)?
I have heard the word before when learning about the French and Indian War. The French and Native Americans worked together to fight with British for control in the Americas
3) As a result of our discussion, can you think of any other information on this topic?
Sources:
A&E Television Networks. (Producer). (1996). Causes of World War I. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/videos#causes-of-world-war-i