KW(P)L Chart
What is a KW(P)L Chart?
The KW(P)L Chart is an instructional strategy that engages students in active text learning. The students record what they know, what they want to know (or what they're predicting), and what they've learned after reading the text. It may be used in small groups or during an entire class setting. It can include folow up activities such as discussions or written summaries.
As a teacher using the KW(P)L chart strategy it's important to:
1. Introduce the KW(P)L strategy with a new topic and make sure that students understand what their role is to complete the chart. It's important they understand that they must answer what they think they know first, then will be making predictions and organizing that information, and then answering the questions they may have with what they've learned.
2. Identify what students think they know about the topic. The class should be engaged in brainstorming ideas with these ideas written on a chalkboard, overhead, poster, etc. It's important to include all of their ideas- even misconceptions. This information will be recorded in the 'K' column of the chart.
3. Generate a list of student questions. As a teacher you may ask the students what they want to know more about the topic or what they're most interested in from the topic. Be sure to simply guide them and not fill the chart out for them with your own thoughts. This information will be filed under the W/P chart section.
4. Make predictions about what they author may have happen in the upcoming text. Students should use their prior knowledge and their questions to make predictions about the organization of the text. Again, record their predictions on a chalkboard, overhead, poster, etc in the W/P section of the chart.
5. Read the selected text to answer the questions and complete the chart. After the reading, record what the students have learned in the 'L' column. You may model the behavior but again, be sure the students are answering instead of you doing it for them.
6. Engage students in follow-up activities to clarify and extend learning. After the chart has been filled out and the text discussed through the chart, students should have postreading activities to internalize and demonstrate what they've learned. Activities may include discussions, writing activities, graphic organizers, etc.
Example:
This example should be used for a 3rd grade social studies or history class learning about the Louisiana Purchase and expansion of America,
Text used: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/louisianapurchase.htm
Materials Needed: Each student should have their own copy of the text, a KW(P)L chart to fill out that is already created for them, chalk and a chalkboard, and students should have their own pencils.
Time: 30 minutes
The chart below has been created by the teacher and handed out to the students (a blank copy will be given). The teacher should record the information on the board while the students are filling out the information on their own sheet and following along.
As an example of what students may say:
The KW(P)L Chart is an instructional strategy that engages students in active text learning. The students record what they know, what they want to know (or what they're predicting), and what they've learned after reading the text. It may be used in small groups or during an entire class setting. It can include folow up activities such as discussions or written summaries.
As a teacher using the KW(P)L chart strategy it's important to:
1. Introduce the KW(P)L strategy with a new topic and make sure that students understand what their role is to complete the chart. It's important they understand that they must answer what they think they know first, then will be making predictions and organizing that information, and then answering the questions they may have with what they've learned.
2. Identify what students think they know about the topic. The class should be engaged in brainstorming ideas with these ideas written on a chalkboard, overhead, poster, etc. It's important to include all of their ideas- even misconceptions. This information will be recorded in the 'K' column of the chart.
3. Generate a list of student questions. As a teacher you may ask the students what they want to know more about the topic or what they're most interested in from the topic. Be sure to simply guide them and not fill the chart out for them with your own thoughts. This information will be filed under the W/P chart section.
4. Make predictions about what they author may have happen in the upcoming text. Students should use their prior knowledge and their questions to make predictions about the organization of the text. Again, record their predictions on a chalkboard, overhead, poster, etc in the W/P section of the chart.
5. Read the selected text to answer the questions and complete the chart. After the reading, record what the students have learned in the 'L' column. You may model the behavior but again, be sure the students are answering instead of you doing it for them.
6. Engage students in follow-up activities to clarify and extend learning. After the chart has been filled out and the text discussed through the chart, students should have postreading activities to internalize and demonstrate what they've learned. Activities may include discussions, writing activities, graphic organizers, etc.
Example:
This example should be used for a 3rd grade social studies or history class learning about the Louisiana Purchase and expansion of America,
Text used: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/louisianapurchase.htm
Materials Needed: Each student should have their own copy of the text, a KW(P)L chart to fill out that is already created for them, chalk and a chalkboard, and students should have their own pencils.
Time: 30 minutes
The chart below has been created by the teacher and handed out to the students (a blank copy will be given). The teacher should record the information on the board while the students are filling out the information on their own sheet and following along.
As an example of what students may say:
What You Know
|
Want to Know/
|
What you Learned
|
After the chart has been filled out entirely, you will want to engage students in a follow up activity to clarify and extend what they've learned. You could discuss the importance of the Louisiana Purchase in more detail than what's included on the chart. Students may also write a short essay/summary on the Louisiana Purchase to demonstrate their knowledge.