Before You Read
Think About Background Knowledge
Audio
Before you start reading a new book, it helps to think about what you already know. This is called “background knowledge.” It means the information and experiences you have from your own life. When you connect your background knowledge to a story, you can understand it better and enjoy it more.
Let’s think about Flash Flood. This story is about a storm, a flood, and trying to stay safe. If you think about times you’ve been in a big storm, that experience helps you understand what the characters are feeling.
Why does background knowledge matter?
- It Helps You Make Sense of the Story
If you know a little about what’s happening in the story, like a flood or storm, you can understand what the characters are going through. - It Makes Reading More Interesting
When you connect what you know to the story, it makes it feel real. For example, if you’ve seen a big rainstorm, you can imagine the sounds and sights of the rain in Flash Flood. This makes reading more exciting. - It Builds Confidence
When you use your background knowledge, you feel more confident because you already know something about the topic. This can help you feel ready to read and understand.
Before starting Flash Flood, take a moment to think about any storms or natural disasters you have experienced. This helps you feel connected to the story and ready to read.
Try the quiz below to get your brain thinking about natural disasters.
Exercise