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What are KWL Charts?
A KWL chart is an excellent way to get people to organize and write about research that they are collecting for background information—that prewriting stage stuff!! Before starting out on research, the learners list the following items:

• “K” refers to KNOW and the learner lists everything they know about the topic in this column
• “W” refers to WANT TO KNOW and the learner or group of learners lists exactly what it is that they want to find out in the research project.
• Finally, the learners return to the chart and complete the “L” or LEARNED section

The information is usually charted on a large board that looks something like this:

K What I KNOW about the subject	W What I WANT to know about the subject	L What I LEARNED about the subject
List everything you know about the subject BEFORE research here	Brainstorm a list of everything you want to know about the subject BEFORE research here	List everything you learned about the subject AFTER research here

Advantages for use in the classroom:

• Excellent for compiling data collaboratively
• Incorporates prior knowledge of learners
• Can be used in small group activities
• Students can create their own iKWL charts

Disadvantages for use in the classroom:

• Students must have prior knowledge relevant to the topic

Examples:

• Eduplace Graphic Organizer for KWL

• Reading Quest KWL Chart