Recently, I was teaching the comprehension tool of schema to kindergarten students. I used file folders to demonstrate how their brains store, manage, and use background experiences. During the conversation, we talked about how careful we must be as readers to make sure what we know and learn gets "placed in the "right file, so when we need to make a connection to new learning we can get to that file when we need to.
Several days after the lesson, one of the students came to school worried and upset. She had fallen off her bicycle the night before and her "Schema Files" got all messed up. "Teacher I have a big boo boo, and I do not know how I am ever going to fix my brain back up!
Kids really do say the funniest things!
Photo on Flickr by Barrybar
