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Into the Book: Behind the Lesson is an unscripted professional development series that features exemplary teachers effectively teaching their students to be strategic readers. The Prior Knowledge episode features 4th - grade bilingual teacher, Linda Diaz, working with her students to activate their Prior Knowledge and set a purpose for reading. Watch this episode to see Linda model some best practices for helping children activate their prior knowledge. After the lesson, Dr. Michael P. Ford, professor of reading education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, interviews Linda about her reading comprehension lesson and her experience working with English Language Learners.

Peek into Linda's classroom — see the slideshow.
Get Linda's downloads: Reader Response bookmarks (pdf)

Bonus Videos

Listen to Linda answer Dr. Ford's questions in the clips below. These are questions and answers that were not in the video! And while you're at it, why not record your own reflections in the teacher notebook? (Might come in handy for your professional portfolio.) You can also join the discussion with Linda and other interested educators.

Don't forget to watch the Preview Clips from Into the Book to see how Mrs. Pingel models teaching this strategy.

Download this Guide to using Behind the Lesson for professional development.

Can you talk about the difference between your students' oral language competency and their ability to use English when writing, reading and listening?
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How do you foster quality interactions between students in small group settings?
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How do you balance the use of trade books and the basal selections in your classroom?
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When students are working in groups, what do you do to make sure that the child, who needs the practice of actually reading the text, gets the practice of reading as opposed to being the listener?
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In a diverse class like this, how do you level the playing field so that all kids are bringing the prior knowledge they need to the page?
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