Reading PK-3

Pre-reading Questioning

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Overview

Talking with students about what they know about the topic of upcoming work helps activate their Background Knowledge or reveals gaps. When students ask and answer pre-reading questions, they draw connections to what they already know and understand the purpose for reading a text, ultimately leading to increased comprehension.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this classroom teacher reviews parts of the book and introduces Vocabulary through pre-reading questioning. By starting the lesson with these pre-reading questions, learners are better oriented and equipped to comprehend the book.

  • Spending even a short time on pre-reading activities that involve students in the themes, concepts, and Vocabulary of a text can stimulate their curiosity and relevant Background Knowledge. These activities draw students into the reading process and prepare them to engage with a text. Furthermore, this introduction can provide valuable support and guidance for students on where to focus their Attention when reading.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Incorporating pre-reading questions or activities promotes increased readiness to engage with a text by activating learners' Background Knowledge. Developers can use multimedia activities to support learners' exploration of new Vocabulary and allow them to make predictions about the text.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

    Building Comprehension through Pre-reading

    Pre-, during-, and post-reading strategies to support increased comprehension

    Delivering Questions Effectively

    Module by Sanford Inspire

    Facilitating Text-based Discussions

    The importance of facilitating text-based discussions from Digital Promise's Ask a Researcher

    Pre-reading Activities

    The importance of pre-reading and example activities

    Pre-reading and the Common Core

    The purpose and appropriate use of pre-reading strategies

    Reading Comprehension

    Subtopic that includes research on how people develop reading comprehension skills on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Language and Literacy
    Background Knowledge
    Narrative Skills
    Verbal Reasoning
    Cognition
    Attention
    Inhibition
    Long-term Memory
    Short-term Memory
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Motivation
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Home Literacy Environment
    Physical Fitness
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Sleep
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Instructional Approaches Strategies

    Dialogic Reading

    With this interactive technique, teachers help students become storytellers by listening and questioning.

    Direct Instruction: Comprehension Strategies

    When teachers provide explicit instruction in comprehension strategies and model when to use them, students learn how to flexibly apply them to make meaning of texts.

    Direct Instruction: Vocabulary

    Seeing and using new words repeatedly and in many contexts is critical for Vocabulary acquisition.

    Family Engagement

    Students are more likely to come to school when families feel like a valued part of the community.

    Guided Inquiry

    In guided inquiry, teachers help students use their own language for constructing knowledge by active listening and questioning.

    Independent Reading

    Independent reading promotes reading development by emphasizing student choice with teacher support in selecting books, as well as by making time for free reading.

    Literacy Centers

    Literacy centers with reading games, manipulatives, and activities support learner interests and promote the development of more complex reading skills and social interactions.

    Mindfulness Activities

    Through short but regular mindfulness activities, students develop their awareness and ability to focus.

    Multimodal Instruction

    Instruction in multiple formats allows students to activate different cognitive skills to understand and remember the steps they are to take in their reading work.

    Non-intensive HLE Intervention Program

    A parent evening meeting about how to support literacy at home with one follow-up meeting with each family has shown strong results for students' reading development.

    Phonics Programs

    Students with low early literacy skills benefit from a focus on phonics and Phonological Awareness.

    Whole Language

    Students with strong early literacy skills benefit from a literacy-rich approach.

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