K-W-LSTRATEGY

A KWL table, or KWL chart, is a graphical organizer designed to help in learning. The letters KWL are an acronym, for what students, in the course of a lesson, already know, want to know, and ultimately learn.

It was created by Donna Ogle in 1986.

A KWL chart can be used for all subjects in a whole group or small group atmosphere. The chart is a comprehension strategy used to activate background knowledge prior to reading and is completely student centered.

It is a part of Constructivist Teaching Method where students move away from the old monotonous way of teaching-learning.

In this particular methodology the students are given the space to learn by constructing their own learning pace and their own style of understanding a given topic or idea.

The K-W-L strategy serves several purposes:

•Elicits students’ prior knowledge of the topic of the text.•Sets a purpose for reading.• Helps students to monitor their comprehension.

1. Choose a text. This strategy works best with expository texts.

2. Create a K-W-L chart. The teacher should create a chart on the blackboard or on an overhead transparency. In addition, the students should have their own chart on which to record information.

How to use the K-W-L strategy

3. Ask students to brainstorm words, terms, or phrases they associate with a topic. The teacher and students record these associations in the K column of their charts. This is done until students run out of ideas.

4. Ask students what they want to learn about the topic. 

The teacher and students record these questions in the W column of their charts. This is done until students run out of ideas for questions. If students respond with statements, turn them into questions before recording them in the W column.

5. Have students read the text and fill out the L column of their charts. Students should look for the answers to the questions in their W column. Students can fill out their L columns either during or after reading.

6. Discuss the information that students recorded in the L column.