Effective instruction starts with the belief that students are inherently competent.
Funds of knowledge are the ideas and skills we each develop through our lived experiences, essential for managing daily life and personal well-being (Moll, Amanti, Neff, & Gonzalez, 1992). Planning with funds of knowledge can help create an affirming learning environment where all students feel safe, supported, and immersed in their learning. Funds of knowledge can also make learning more meaningful when students are able to connect grade-level content to their lived experiences.