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Schemas are invisible mental structures on which we hang new knowledge. They allow us to organize, store, retrieve, and apply knowledge efficiently.

General Schema vs. Topic Schema

General: The Tree

General schemas are broad and encompass general concepts. Within a general schema lies a variety of topic schemas, each of which contains topic-specific information. For example, "systems" is a schema that appears over and over again, across subjects. The general schema of "systems" can connect those seemingly different topics and act as a throughline.

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Topic: The Branches

Topic schemas are much more specific. For example, teaching a unit on human body systems helps students develop a topic schema on how human body systems function to help the body stay alive. If teachers follow this unit with another on government systems, they can help students develop a new but similar topic schema. Both topic schemas share a common overarching general schema that centers around the concept of systems functioning together to thrive.

Why do SCHEMAS matter?

Why build mental models? For starters, they help students connect topics and build lasting knowledge. Additionally, a defined general or topic schema will help students build knowledge outside of the classroom. A general schema on how living things survive will appear over and over again, in a variety of contexts (and texts!) that teachers don't have time to teach. When they recognize a word, the whole schema will light up!

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Aquire new knowledge

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Connect learning throughout their time in school and beyond

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