What do prereading strategies aim to accomplish?

Prereading strategies are designed primarily to provide context and prepare students for reading by activating their prior knowledge, building anticipation, and setting a purpose for reading. These strategies help students make connections between what they already know and new information they will encounter in the text. By engaging with the material before reading, students are more likely to comprehend and retain what they read, as they are mentally primed to interact with the content.

Developing a framework of understanding through prereading strategies can include discussions, previews of the text, or brainstorming sessions about related themes or vocabulary. This preparation can enhance students’ engagement and motivation to read, making the actual reading experience more meaningful and productive. The focus is not on assessing grammar, increasing text complexity, or suggesting that reading can be dispensed with entirely, as these elements do not align with the aims of prereading strategies.