Section 2 Summary

Background Knowledge Matters
In this section, it is explained that working memory has a limited capacity so we need to "chunk" info together. Factual knowledge in long term memory allows chunking, and this increases space in working memory. This allows us to better relate ideas and increase our comprehension.
Background knowledge is important to reading comprehension 1)it provides vocab; 2) it allows you to bridge logical gaps that writers leave; 3)it allows chunking; 4) it guides the interpretation of ambiguous sentences.
Since most reading instruction through 3rd grade focuses mostly on decoding - that is what reading tests emphasize. When 4th grade rolls around, tests now are focused on comprehension. Comprehension depends on background knowledge, and that's where kids from privileged homes have an edge. They come to school with a bigger vocabulary and more knowledge abouth the world than underprivileged kids. And because knowing things makes it easier to learn new things, the gap between privileged and underprivileged kids widens.
Background knowledge makes you a better reader and also a good thinker because memory is the cognitive process of 1st resort. Factual knowledge improves your memory. We remember much better if something has meaning and we can then add new info about that topic to our memory.
If you want to be exposed to new vocab and new ideas, the places we need to go are books, magazines, and newspapers. Television, video games, Internet content that students do lean toward are unhelpful. Do whatever you can to get kids to read. Books expose children to more facts and to broader vocab than any other activity. Data indicates that people who read for pleasure enhoy cognitive benefits throughout their lifetime.
We, as teachers, need to "make content interesting." Teachers need to interact with students ina way that they find engaging. The emotional bond between students and teachers, for better or worse --accounts for whether students learn. Connecting personally with students and organizing the material in a way that moakes it interesting and easy to understand should be of high importance in our daily teaching.