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: lp/pages/ lp/pages/2839 Use a KWL chart for back to school. Let students use chart to get to know their classmates. Lesson Example: om/teachers/lesson- plan/kwl-chart om/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 4a ca8f3973a 4a ca8f3973a a-a334-fb5be8a364f a-a334-fb5be8a364f5
Technology and KWL Chart (cont’d) I also found some KWL charts for those who have Promethean Planet as well. KWL KWL George Washington KWL Chart George Washington KWL Chart Similar Graphic Organizers Similar Graphic Organizers
Trouble finding a KWL Chart? Here are some websites that have printable KWL Charts for teachers! Edu Place Edu Place Super Teacher Worksheets Super Teacher Worksheets Student Handouts Student Handouts If you can’t find any you like on these websites, just google it!
In conclusion….. AA KWL chart can be beneficial for reading, history, and anything a child would like to learn and organize. AA KWL chart can be changed to fit the needs of the child as well. TThe chart is a fun way for children to learn new facts and have hands on experience with organizing information. CCan be used with technology today
References: classroom/ classroom/ organizers.html organizers.html Organizers/KWL-Chart-Know-Want-to-Know-Learned- Instructions.html Organizers/KWL-Chart-Know-Want-to-Know-Learned- Instructions.html Myself