Reading Apprenticeship at TCC: Schema
Schema - Definition and Use
Schema refers to the structure of prior knowledge and experiences that are used to interpret and process new information on a topic.
Websites about Schema
- Activating Prior KnowledgeFrom TeacherVision.com
- Graphic Organizers that Can Help Promote SchemaFrom EducationOasis.com
- Helping ESL Students Become Better Readers: Schema Theory Applications and LimitationsBy Nigel Stott. From the Internet TESL Journal.
- Role of Schemas in Reading Text: a Real-Time ExaminationBy Edward E. Smith and David A. Swinney as published in Discourse Processes 15, 303-316 (1992).
- Schema Theory-Based Pre-Reading Tasks: a Neglected Essential in the ESL Reading ClassBy Parviz Ajideh. From Vol. 3, No. 1 (April 2003) issue of The Reading Matrix.
- What Is a Schema?By Kendra Cherry. From About.com.
RAT Tracks Tip Sheet - Schema
Ready-to-Use Templates - Schema
These ready-to-use templates were created by RAT Pack Leader and ABE/GED instructor, Michele Lesmeister.
A few words about these templates for faculty use:
- Anticipation Guide Template: The template allows faculty to provide anticipatory statements for the students to read and then agree or disagree with. Once the students have responded to the statements you have typed into the template, facilitate a discussion about the students' responses to the statements. Support an open atmosphere and encourage clarification of points. Have the students then complete their reading. The return to the Anticipation Guide for a concluding discussion about how the article contributed to their schema and prior understanding.
- Schema Chart: This tool can help faculty who are discipline experts track the schema of their students and the demands of the reading. This chart helps the faculty articulate and scaffold skills needed for building schema amoung their students.
Teaching Students to Analyze Complex Texts
Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
Tacoma Community College Library - Building 7, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466 - P. 253.566.5087
Visit us on Instagram!