What is the purpose of anticipatory sets in a lesson?

Anticipatory sets are designed to activate prior knowledge and engage students' interest before diving into new content. This initial stage of a lesson serves to connect what students already know to what they will learn, making it easier for them to grasp the upcoming material. By piquing students' curiosity or relating the lesson to real-world scenarios, anticipatory sets create a context that fosters an effective learning environment. Engaging students at this stage not only helps them recall relevant information but also primes their minds for new concepts, increasing the likelihood of retention and understanding as the lesson progresses.