KWL Charts

The traditional KWL Chart can be used with any content area to start students thinking about what they KNOW about a topic, what they WANT TO KNOW about that topic, and what they have LEARNED at the end of the unit. It can be adapted for research by adding a column between the W and the L that requires students to think about HOW they will use resources to find the answers to their questions. A KWL Chart can be used as an assessment for learning because a teacher can quickly tell what students already know and understand about a topic. Below are several examples of KWL Charts.

KWL Chart

KWHL Chart

KWLS Chart

KNWS Chart for Math Problem Solving - Vertical

KNWS Chart for Math Problem Solving - Horizontal

Websites on KWL Charts:

Reading Horizons Happenings: KWL Charts

http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/post/2010/08/23/Reading-Strategies-that-Work-for-Struggling-Readers-KWL-Charts.aspx

Instructional Strategies Online

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/kwl/

Graphic.Org:  KWHL Chart

http://www.graphic.org/kwhl.html

Variations on KWL Charts

http://www.u-46.org/dbs/roadmap/files/comprehension/4KWL.pdf