Overview
So, what's so important about Before Reading? Without strategies to help them, your students may have a harder time comprehending the subject. Before Reading strategies include a way to discover background information, understand specific vocabulary, and having a reason or purpose to read.
Background Information
Your students interpret text according to the background information acquired through life experience. If they don't have that experience, then they will not be able to understand the text. In other words, there is no connection between the words (text) and the meaning (schema).
Additionally, they might not realize that they are supposed to use their background knowledge to help them understand what the text is saying. But, if you know that it's important to teach your students to recollect background information before reading, that in itself provides them with a better chance to understand the material. Knowing that there is a gap in your students' background information allows you the opportunity to build the necessary background information before they read.