Activating Prior Knowledge: General Comprehension Worksheets is a versatile resource designed to support students in developing one of the most important comprehension strategies, activating what they already know before engaging with a text. These thoughtfully designed worksheets can be used with any fiction or non-fiction text, making them a flexible addition to your reading program across all subject areas.

By completing tasks such as KWL charts, brainstorms and structured questioning before and after reading, students are encouraged to connect their prior knowledge to new information. This approach not only prepares learners for deeper engagement with the text but also builds confidence and encourages curiosity. It’s especially useful when introducing new topics, vocabulary or genres, helping students make meaningful predictions and set clear reading intentions.

The resource includes a range of editable and printable templates that can be adapted to suit different learning needs and year levels. Each template is offered in blank, 12mm and 9mm lined versions, making it easy to scaffold learning for Foundation through to upper primary. Whether you’re introducing a shared text, launching a research project or encouraging reflective reading, these worksheets provide a solid structure for student thinking and comprehension growth.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Activate and record prior knowledge related to a text or topic
• ✅ Make predictions using visual and textual cues such as the title, cover and blurb
• ✅ Form questions to guide purposeful reading
• ✅ Reflect and summarise key learnings after reading
• ✅ Strengthen comprehension through structured thinking routines

What’s Included:

• KWL chart templates for structured pre- and post-reading reflection
• Brainstorm and prediction pages to support engagement before reading
• Ordered questioning templates to guide curiosity and focus during reading
• Editable text versions for full customisation
• Three format options for each template: blank, 12mm and 9mm lined

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets (A4 for individual tasks, A3 for group or class use)
• Pencils, markers or highlighters
• Class texts or student-selected reading materials
• Optional: access to digital versions for interactive whiteboard modelling

How to Use:

• Choose a template appropriate for the lesson and text type
• Guide students to examine the title, cover and blurb to predict the topic
• Use the brainstorm or KWL chart to identify prior knowledge and set questions
• Return to the chart after reading to summarise new learning
• Encourage class discussion and text-to-self connections to deepen comprehension

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use at the start of a new guided reading group or unit of inquiry
• 💡 Incorporate into learning journals or portfolios for student reflection
• 💡 Display group brainstorms on classroom walls to highlight collective thinking
• 💡 Pair with text prediction or text structure activities to build context

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Model your own thinking using a KWL chart before assigning student tasks
• 💛 Encourage students to revise and add to their charts during and after reading
• 💛 Use the editable version to tailor headings and language to suit your class
• 💛 Adapt templates for use in content areas like science, history or health

Activating Prior Knowledge: General Comprehension Worksheets supports students in becoming thoughtful, purposeful readers. By linking what they already know with what they’re about to discover, students are equipped to engage more deeply with any text and grow in confidence as independent learners.

This resource is part of our comprehensive Comprehension Strategies Workbook PACKAGE.