The more students know about a topic before reading, the better they will comprehend the material during and after reading. Teachers should determine what students already know and, if necessary, correct any misconceptions before reading. It is also important to return to this pre-reading activity after reading so students can elaborate on their knowledge and see how much they have learned.

For example, in the social studies lesson "The Story of Pocahontas," students review a story they may already be familiar with—how Pocahontas saved John Smith when her father was about to kill him. This familiarity with the story gives students a base to build on as they read historical analyses of the story. View the "Who Was Pocahontas?" Lesson Screen to see how prior knowledge is elicited from students before they begin the Pocahontas lesson.

Then, click to see a video of students having a discussion before beginning a lesson on the pyramids of ancient Egypt.