Thought Leadership
Why Background Knowledge is an Essential Part of Literacy Learning
No matter what students are learning or doing in class—whether it’s reading a science textbook, deciphering a historical document, or solving a math word problem—their literacy skills are at play. Literacy isn’t just about reading and writing; it’s the key that unlocks success in every subject. As educators, taking the time to help students strengthen these skills gives them the tools to make meaning, deepen their understanding, and ultimately excel in their learning journey.
The growing “science of reading” movement also sheds light on the complex nature of learning to read itself. Research shows reading is about more than decoding words. It includes a host of cognitive processes. One element that can support many of these processes? Background knowledge.
But what exactly is background knowledge, why does it matter so much, and how can you build more of it in your lessons regularly? Let’s dive in.
Make the most impact with two types of background knowledge
There are many types of background knowledge that have a tremendous impact on literacy learning. Two big ones:
Content knowledge: This refers to familiarity with facts and concepts within a particular subject area. Having a wealth of content knowledge can really help students when they encounter new texts. For example, someone who has background knowledge on the solar system will have an easier time navigating a text about planets than someone who doesn’t.
Vocabulary knowledge: This refers to a student’s understanding of both topic-specific and general academic words. A wide vocabulary allows students to comprehend more complex texts and make deeper connections. For example, when learning about the American Civil War, students who have seen words like “secede” before will have an advantage in understanding the material.
Using BrainPOP movies provides an accessible way to build content and vocabulary knowledge before reading. Learning activities like Leveled Reading and Vocab Builder (new back-to-school 2024!) can also help build background knowledge across a wide range of subjects, making curricular material more impactful for all learners.
Building background knowledge lifts the cognitive load
We have only so much mental capacity on a given day. When students read new concepts, they’re juggling many complex cognitive tasks like decoding text, making meaning of vocabulary, and connecting ideas together—which can feel like a heavy strain. If they have a wealth of content and vocabulary knowledge to pull from, it can significantly free up their mental energy, helping them engage more deeply with the material in front of them.
The direct impact of background knowledge on reading comprehension
You may be familiar with the baseball analogy that explains the role of background knowledge in reading comprehension: If you’ve never played baseball, watched a game, or held a bat, understanding a text about “home runs,” “innings,” and “strike zones” will be a real challenge. For a baseball expert, that same article would be a breeze.
When students have background knowledge on the topic, they’re able to:
Make meaningful connections: Background knowledge provides a framework for students to connect new information to existing knowledge, leading to improved comprehension and better retention of information.
Draw inferences and make predictions: Students who fully understand a concept can make accurate predictions about what might happen next, and have the context they need to fill in any gaps with logical, accurate inferences.
Engage critically with the text: Having strong background knowledge allows students to evaluate claims made by an author, ask deeper questions, and form their own opinions.
BrainPOP strategies for building background knowledge
With this background on background knowledge in mind, what are easy ways to build more of it for students? BrainPOP offers a flexible approach:
Preview vocabulary: Before diving into a new topic, introduce key vocabulary using a BrainPOP movie. You can reference the movie transcript to guide your discussion, or pause the movie when new terms come up.
Visual exploration: Share screencaps from a movie to pique interest and spark curiosity. These visuals can serve as conversation starters, helping students connect new ideas to what they already know.
Activate prior knowledge: Before watching a movie, engage students in a KWL chart activity using Make-a-Map. Encourage everyone to share what they already know (K), what they want to learn (W), and afterward, what they’ve learned (L).
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Empower your students with knowledge
Building background knowledge is a powerful tool for students as they build literacy skills, empowering them to succeed in any subject. Just as literacy is more than just reading and writing, background knowledge is about more than just “knowing stuff”—it can equip kids with the tools they need to engage with the world around them, think critically, and become lifelong learners.
Jinn Liu is the Creative Manager of Copy and Content at BrainPOP. She has a Bachelor’s in Communications and currently lives in New York City. She is a creator, writer, and lifelong learner.
