How to Use a KWL chart to benefit your students.By: Chelsea Wewers

What is a KWL Chart??

A KWL chart helps a child organize thoughts.

K stands for what the child knows before the activity or book. W stands for what the child wants to learn about the subject or what we wonder, and L stands for what the child has learned.

This chart is used in class as well but can be a great tool for parents at home whose children have trouble connecting thoughts and organizing information.

How does a KWL Chart benefit a student??

First, a student can use a chart for reading a book. The chart helps the student comprehend what they are reading.

Second, a KWL chart is a great way for visual learners to see the information.

What subject areas are best for KWL Charts??

Reading- any books can be put into a KWL chart from fantasy to non-fiction.

History is also a good subject to use the KWL chart in. Before reading a

chapter figure out what they know and use the chart to help remember what they read in the chapter afterwards.

Some Lesson Examples….

A KWL chart can be used for a biography over historical figures or a biography theme in reading. Lesson Example:

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2839

Use a KWL chart for back to school. Let students use chart to get to know their classmates. Lesson Example:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/kwl-chart

KWL Chart Example: Cheetahs

What we Know

• Have Spots

• Fast

What we Wonder

• Are they born with spots

• What’s the fastest animal in the world

What we Learned

• Cheetahs are fastest land animal

• Live in jungles

Other things that you can do with a KWL chart……

On the chart you can add an H for how to learn more, for example looking up more information on a subject on the internet, books, and specialists.

Technology and KWL Chart

Many classrooms today have SMARTboards available so why not utilize the technology and have an interactive KWL chart for students? This is some websites for SMARTboard users to find KWL

charts and other similar resources

http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=0903c7bf-4a45-4771-9825-746ca8f3973a

http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=0964425a-9367-402a-a334-fb5be8a364f5

Technology and KWL Chart (cont’d)

I also found some KWL charts for those who have Promethean Planet as well. KWL

George Washington KWL Chart

Similar Graphic Organizers

Trouble finding a KWL Chart?

Here are some websites that have printable KWL Charts for teachers! Edu Place

Super Teacher Worksheets

Student Handouts

If you can’t find any you like on these websites, just google it!

In conclusion…..

A KWL chart can be beneficial for reading, history, and anything a child would like to learn and organize.

A KWL chart can be changed to fit the needs of the child as well.

The chart is a fun way for children to learn new facts and have hands on experience with organizing information.

Can be used with technology today

References:

• www.studygs.net

• www.education.com/reference/article/K-W-L-charts-classroom/

• http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2839

• http://exchange.smarttech.com

• http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer /

• http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/graphic-organizers.html

• http://www.studenthandouts.com/Assortment-01/Graphic-Organizers/KWL-Chart-Know-Want-to-Know-Learned-Instructions.html

• http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/

• Myself