In presenting new information about color groups to students who are new to the concept, the teacher adds familiar information to help learning. What instructional practice is this?

In presenting new information about color groups to students who are new to the concept, the teacher adds familiar information to help learning. What instructional practice is this?

• A. Scaffolding
• B. Differentiated instruction
• C. Activating prior knowledge
• D. Rote rehearsal

Answer: (C)

Activating prior knowledge is what the teacher is doing. By presenting new information about color groups and weaving in familiar ideas, the teacher helps students connect the new concept to ideas they already know. This makes the material meaningful and easier to understand because learners can anchor unfamiliar details to their existing memories and experiences. Scaffolding would involve offering temporary supports to help students perform a task they can’t do yet, rather than simply linking new content to what they know. Differentiated instruction would tailor the approach to individual learner needs, which isn’t the focus here. Rote rehearsal relies on repetition without connecting to prior understanding.

Activating prior knowledge is what the teacher is doing. By presenting new information about color groups and weaving in familiar ideas, the teacher helps students connect the new concept to ideas they already know. This makes the material meaningful and easier to understand because learners can anchor unfamiliar details to their existing memories and experiences.

Scaffolding would involve offering temporary supports to help students perform a task they can’t do yet, rather than simply linking new content to what they know. Differentiated instruction would tailor the approach to individual learner needs, which isn’t the focus here. Rote rehearsal relies on repetition without connecting to prior understanding.