Definition

Frontloading (sometimes called pre-reading) is the pre-teaching of any background knowledge and/or vocabulary that students need in order to engage in a successful first-read of a text.

Frontloading as Support

Providing students with relevant facts and information or defining words before students read a text can help students engage in a successful first-read of a text. "However, it can also be problematic if it results in teachers doing the work that students should be doing for themselves" (D. Griffith and A. M. Duffett, 2018).

Read the excerpt from Practical Guidance on Pre-Reading Lessons by literacy expert, Timothy Shanahan. As you read, take note of how you might use this guidance to develop supports for your students.

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