Previewing (Marzano)

Previewing is the Same as Activating Background Knowledge (You may view that page for additional resources)

Strategies

Informational Hooks

The teacher uses activities designed to stimulate interest in the content of a lesson. These activities might include anecdotes, video clips, audio clips, newspaper headlines, and other short attention-grabbing media to spark students’ attention. The teacher might also present unusual information or personal stories related to the lesson topic. Hooks typically occur at the beginning of class. Example: What is the most interesting aspect of that content, anecdotes or personal stories, video clips, audio clips, unusual information about this content.

Bell-Ringers/Self-Starters

As their name implies, bell-ringers are activities at the very beginning of a class period that students are to engage in as soon as, or even before, the bell rings. For example, a teacher might have his or her students answer a quiz question written on the board. Bell-ringers are commonly used with content that students need to practice or review as a way to activate background knowledge before a new lesson. Samples: Quick quiz, group quiz, discussion questions, summarization of previously learned material, student questions about previously learned material

What Do You Think You Know?

The simplest way to preview new content is to ask students what they think they know about a topic. The teacher asks students to individually write down what they already know about an upcoming topic. After each student has created an individual list, the teacher asks students to pair up and discuss their previous knowledge and ideas. Each pair creates a list of its most original or most important knowledge and ideas, using examples where appropriate. Finally, each pair shares its list, and the teacher creates a whole-class list of what is already known about upcoming content. For example, prior to a lesson on tidal waves, a teacher asks students what they think they know about tidal waves. She emphasizes the fact that students do not have to be sure about their information. All that is required is to share what they think they know.

Resources

Anticipation Guide

A sample anticipation guide format from Read, Write, Think.

Element 8 Strategies

11 Strategies to help students preview new content.

Element 8 Previewing New Content

Framework Focus Element 8

Handout explaining why it is important to preview new content as well as a few strategies to try in the classroom.

Protocol for Previewing New Content

This rubric will allow teachers to reflect on how well they use previewing in their classroom.

Skimming Strategy

Instructions and sample sheets to help students skim new printed material.

Word Splash Activity (Elementary)

Also known as a word sort, this gives instructions for how to use this strategy in an elementary classroom.