Ten Ways to Build Background Knowledge at Home

Ten Ways to Build Background Knowledge at Home

By Angela Campbell; Literacy Specialist

One of my son's favorite activities is to collect treasures found in nature; rocks, shells, sticks, you name it, and it is in a bucket on our back deck. The other day, he was excitedly showing my friend, who is also a teacher, his shell collection. They were having a great conversation about the different types of shells and sorted them into clams, muscles, and oysters. As I was watching and listening, I was amazed at the new vocabulary he was learning and the connections he was making. Ultimately, interactions like this play a significant role in reading comprehension and reminded me of some studies I've recently read about. Current research shows that the best way to boost reading comprehension is to build background knowledge and vocabulary (Wexler, 2019). When children have a lot of general knowledge, they will be able to demonstrate their comprehension to a greater degree. Below are some fun ways to build background knowledge and vocabulary at home or within your community. 

1. Go on excursions.

2. Take virtual field trips.

3. Read a wide range of nonfiction or historical fiction.

4. Learn a new skill or hobby.

5. Have a pen pal in a different town, state, or country. 

6. Volunteer for community service. 

7. Try new foods from other cultures.

8. Have discussions and use new vocabulary.

9. Conduct science experiments.

10. Collect objects.

Wexler, N. (2020). The knowledge gap: The hidden cause of America's broken education system-- and how to fix it. New York: Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.