How to Use a KWL Chart to Enhance Student Learning

When starting off a unit of study, it is helpful to get an idea of the students' background knowledge and interests. For elementary and middle grades, a very useful teaching tool is a KWL chart.

To create a KWL chart, hang up a large sheet of butcher paper or place a large flip chart in the front of the room. Divide the paper into three vertical columns. At the top of the left-hand column, write: K- What we Know. Above the middle column, write: W- What we Want to Learn. At the top of the right-hand column, write: L- What we Learned.

When introducing a new unit of study, put up the KWL chart and ask students what they already know about the topic. This usually sparks a lively discussion, as students enjoy displaying their knowledge. Write the information as a bulleted list under the first column. Not only does this activity provide a snapshot of the students' background knowledge, but it motivates interest and enthusiasm about the topic they are about to learn. If there are misconceptions, it is a good opportunity to address and correct them.

Then ask the students what they would like to learn about this topic. This allows students to express their curiosity and interest in the subject. Write the students' suggestions down in the second column in the form of questions. As the teacher, you can also suggest questions to the students that will be answered during the course of the unit. The questions in this section can be used as objectives for individual lessons.

The third section of the KWL chart, L- What we Learned, can either be filled in at the end of the unit or added to as you go along, at the end of each lesson. Writing down what they learned at the end of the unit is an excellent way to review the material.

Leave the chart on display at the front of the room for the duration of the unit.

Adaptations of the KWL Chart

While KWL charts are an effective introduction to the unit if the chart is done as a whole class activity, they are also useful if done by students individually or in small groups. Individual KWL charts can be made in the form of flip books, with pages that can be lifted up to reveal questions and answers. Students can then use these as a study guide. If done in small groups, students from each group can share their ideas with the rest of the class and the teacher can compile all of the ideas into a large KWL chart.

Sources:
Tompkins, Gail. Literacy for the 21st Century, 3rd Edition. Pearson Education, 2003.