2. Introduction
Know, Want to know, Learned (KWL) is an instructional reading
strategy that is used to guide students through a text.
*First, brainstorm about the topic (Know). Next, generate a list
of questions about what they Want to Know. Third, they record
what they Learned from reading the text.
*Source: National Education Association
(http://www.nea.org/tools/k-w-l-know-want-to-know-learned.html)
3. Purpose of KWL
Sample of KWL
Graphic Organizer
• Elicits students’ prior knowledge of the topic of the text.
• Sets a purpose for reading.
• Helps students to monitor their comprehension.
*This method works best with expository texts.
Suggest creating a KWL Graphic Organizer
on the class blackboard (or whiteboard), plus
have hardcopy versions for each student.
1. Under “K” column, have the students state
terms, words, phrases they already assocate
with the topic.
2. Under the “W” column, record questions about
the topic. Rephrase statements into questions.
3. Under the “L” column, record answers to the
questions from the text. Additional text may be
needed if particular questions are not
answered in the student’s textbook.
4. Sample of KWL in the classroom
Example: Gravity
*Source: National Education Association
(http://www.nea.org/tools/k-w-l-know-want-to-know-learned.html)
5. Video explanation of KWL Graphic
Organizer in action:
*Source: Study.com
(http://study.com/academy/lesson/kwl-chart-example-graphic-organizer-and-classroom-applications.html)
6. *Pros and Cons of KWL
K-W-L charts are overused when other graphic
organizers would be more effective.
Teachers should introduce students to a variety of
graphic organizers and encourage them to be selective
in the ones they choose to use for different purposes.
Brain research cautions teachers about class
discussions focused on what students “Know.”
If students think they know something and share it,
sometimes other students remember the incorrect
information from the initial discussion.
K-W-L charts can be effective, but teachers should
consider some of the disadvantages before choosing to
use them.
*Source: University of Kansas
(www.specialconnections.ku.edu/~specconn/guides/OldSnake.pdf)
