Rubric for Effective Implementation of

Activating Prior Knowledge in a Lesson

4- Exemplary / 3- Proficient / 2- Progressing / 1- Not Meeting Standards
APK Design:
  • Questions and/or brainstorming designed to elicit students’ existing knowledge not assess new content that has not been taught.
  • Uses a universal experience and/or pertinent review of a sub-skill, that has been previously presented and deals with the current lesson.
  • Questions with a broad context (not yes or no answers).
  • Prior knowledge that is activated connects and relates to either the Learning Objectives concept or skill.
  • Plans for a variety (two or more methods) activating strategy methods.
APK Delivery:
  • Teacher assists students in connecting new information to their prior knowledge.
  • Questions address students existing knowledge.
  • Teacher corrects any misconceptions in the students’ understanding.
  • Teacher connects information so it will be transferred to other situations and content areas.
  • Prompts students’ prior knowledge with some examples.
  • Limited to no more than 5 minutes.
  • Actively engage students through CFU and/or use of white boards, etc.
  • Uses a variety (two or more) activating strategy methods.
/ APKDesign
  • Questions and/or brainstorming designed to elicit students’ existing knowledge; however sometimes teacher uses new vocabulary or asks questions that assess new content that has not been taught.
  • Uses a universal experience and/or pertinent review of a sub skill, that has been previously presented and deals with the current lesson.
  • Questions with a broad context (not yes or no answers) most of the time.
  • Prior knowledge that is activated connects and relates to either the Learning Objectives concept or skill.
  • Plans for a one or more activating strategy methods.
APK Delivery:
  • Teacher assists students in connecting new information to their prior knowledge.
  • Questions address students existing knowledge, but may address some new vocabulary and/or new content.
  • Teacher corrects most misconceptions in the students’ understanding.
  • Teacher connects information so it will be transferred to other situations and content areas in some instances.
  • Prompts students’ prior knowledge with some examples.
  • Lasts over 5 minutes.
  • Actively engage students through CFU and/or use of white boards, etc.
Uses one or more activating strategy methods. / APK Design:
  • Questions and/or brainstorming are designed to elicit students’ existing knowledge; however teacher often uses new vocabulary or asks questions that assess new content that has not been taught.
  • Uses a universal experience and/or pertinent review of a sub skill, that has been previously presented and deals with the current lesson, however connection to concept is weak.
  • Questions with a broad context; but often uses yes or no answers.
  • Prior knowledge that is activated inadequately connects and relates to either the Learning Objectives concept or skill
  • Plans for only one activating strategy method.
APK Delivery:
  • Teacher assists students in connecting new information to their prior knowledge.
  • Questions address knowledge that may not have been taught, including new vocabulary and/or new content.
  • Teacher rarely corrects misconceptions in the students’ understanding.
  • Teacher fails to connect information so it will be transferred to other situations and content areas in some instances.
  • Rarely uses examples to prompt students’ prior knowledge.
  • Lasts over 5 minutes.
  • Occasionally engages students through CFU and/or use of white boards, etc.
  • Uses one activating strategy method.
/ APK Design:
  • Questions to elicit students’ existing knowledge are rarely designed prior to lesson
  • Fails to use a universal experience and/or pertinent review of a sub skill, that has been previously presented and deals with the current lesson and/or addresses information other than the current lesson.
  • Prior knowledge that is activated does not adequately connect and relate to either the Learning Objectives concept or skill.
  • Plans are not made for using activating strategies.
APK Delivery:
  • Teacher rarely or never assists students in connecting new information to their prior knowledge.
  • Questions address knowledge that may not have been taught, including new vocabulary and/or new content.
  • Teacher does not correct misconceptions in the students’ understanding.
  • Teacher fails to connect information so it will be transferred to other situations and content areas.
  • Rarely used examples to prompt students’ prior knowledge.
  • Rarely engages students through CFU and/or use of white boards, etc.
  • No activating strategy methods are used.

Region 2, Regional System of District & School Support