Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

This summer, I began reading the book Comprehension Connections: Bridges to Strategic Reading. I immediately fell in love with the suggestions that Tanny McGregor offered.  This week, we are beginning our school year by talking about schema, and this was the perfect opportunity to use Tanny’s lint roller idea as inspiration.

Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

To begin, I had several pieces of paper with various words based on experiences that I have had.  I had several clusters of words with the intent to roll them onto separate sheets of the lint roller.  The lint roller represented my brain, and each individual pieces of the paper represented the things that your brain comes into contact with.

As I “rolled” each of my experiences, the kids totally chuckled at the things that I had experienced.  It was also perfect, because some of the students had experienced these items, while other students have never had the opportunity to do them.

Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

After watching my “brain” collect several experiences, I pulled off the lint roller paper, and we gave it a hashtag to describe it.  My students decided on #momlife!

Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

We repeated this process a few times, and hung our hashtags on the board, each describing a part of my background knowledge.

Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

Then, I wanted my students to create their own hashtags to share various aspects of their own background knowledge.  I particularly loved this one, because it allowed me to show my LACK of background knowledge.  I have little background knowledge in video games!  This sparked a great discussion about how background knowledge affects the reading process.

Finding a relate-able lesson to approach schema can be challenging. I found inspiration this summer and turned it into a free activity to show background knowledge and turn into conversation of lack of background knowledge. Introducing a hash tag got my kids attention and got them talking.Check out this blog post to find out how to turn a lint roller and some paper into a fun engaging schema activity. {writing, free, activity, lesson, example}

We’ve been displaying them on our classroom door to show them off!