Read Ahead AI is a great program to activate student background knowledge on the topic(s) that will be taught in a lesson. I use Read Ahead AI as a discussion-based tool in tiered groups. I can select a poem with words and ideas students would be familiar with, although the poem has different metaphorical meanings. Students can talk about what they predict a story or poem will be about. Then they can compare/contrast those predictions to their original thoughts after reading the literary piece. I chose words that would most likely link to student’s personal experience and background knowledge.
Morgan Strickland
8th Grade ELA Teacher