Elicit Prior Knowledge: 10 Strategies for Elementary Teachers

Elicit prior knowledge before a lesson and students arrive with mental hooks already in place — they absorb new material faster and ask better questions. Below are 10 strategies, with classroom examples, for drawing out what your elementary students already know before you teach.

Below are 10 engaging strategies, with examples, to help you elicit your students’ prior knowledge.

1. KWL Charts

A KWL chart is a simple, effective tool. Divide a chart into three sections: What I Know, What I Want to Know, and What I Learned.

For example, if you’re starting a unit on insects, ask your students what they already know about bugs. You might hear, “Insects have six legs!” or “Some bugs can fly!” Write these in the “K” column.

Then, have students ask questions about what they want to learn, filling in the “W” section. After the lesson, return to the chart to complete the “L” section with new learning.

2. Brainstorming Sessions

In a brainstorming session, students can collectively share their knowledge. It’s an open-ended activity where all ideas are welcome.

Example: Before starting a science unit on weather, ask students to brainstorm types of weather they know about. They might say, “sunny,” “rainy,” “snowy,” or even “thunderstorms.”

Write all their responses on the board to showcase their existing knowledge. Then use it as a springboard to go deeper with those topics.

3. Picture Walks

Picture walks introduce students to new material without overwhelming them with text. Show them images related to the lesson and encourage them to make predictions based on what they see.

Example: Before reading a book about the ocean, flip through the pages and show students the pictures. Ask, “What do you think this story will be about? What do you know about oceans?” They might say, “I see a fish!” or “The ocean is really big!”

4. Quick Write

Quick writes allow students to independently express their prior knowledge. Give them a few minutes to write down what they know about a subject.

Example: Before beginning a lesson on plants, you could say, “Take two minutes to write down everything you know about how plants grow.” Responses could include, “Plants need water,” or “They grow from seeds.” This also gives you a quick insight into their current understanding.

5. Think-Pair-Share

Think-Pair-Share gives students time to think about what they know, then share with a partner before discussing as a whole class. This encourages more participation, even from quieter students.

Example: Before starting a math lesson on fractions, ask your students, “What do you know about halves or parts of a whole?” Let them think, then discuss their ideas with a partner before sharing with the group. They might come up with examples like sharing a pizza or splitting a cookie.

6. Concept Maps

Concept maps help students organize their thoughts by creating a visual representation of their knowledge.

Example: If you’re teaching about habitats, have students draw a concept map of everything they know about the forest. They might include trees, animals like deer and squirrels, and the idea that “animals need food and water.” This exercise helps them organize their existing knowledge before learning more about the topic.

7. Sentence Starters

Provide students with a sentence starter to help them recall what they know and share their thoughts.

Example: You could use the prompt, “I already know that the sun is…” before starting a unit on space. Students might respond with, “The sun is hot,” or “The sun is in the sky during the day.” These sentence starters make it easier for students to share what they know without feeling overwhelmed.

8. Interactive Games

Games like True or False or Four Corners can help students express what they know in a fun, engaging way.

Example: Before a unit on animals, play True or False. Say a statement like, “All birds can fly,” and have students move to one side of the room if they think it’s true and the other if they think it’s false. This gets them moving while allowing them to share their knowledge.

9. Word Splash

A Word Splash introduces students to key terms or pictures related to the topic and encourages them to make connections.

Example: Display a set of words like “roots,” “sunlight,” “leaves,” and “grow” when starting a unit on plants. Ask students to talk about how these words are connected and what they think they mean. This helps bring their prior knowledge to the forefront before diving into the lesson.

10. Mini Surveys or Polls

A quick survey or poll can help gauge what students know in a non-threatening way.

Example: Use a digital tool or hand out a simple paper poll with questions like, “Have you ever seen a rainbow?” or “Do you know how clouds are formed?” This can lead to a science lesson on weather and help you identify what they already know.

These strategies activate prior knowledge while making learning more interactive for your K-5 students. Try a few and see which ones fit your classroom best.