Know & Need to Know Lists (cousin of the KWL chart)
Know & Need to Know Lists (cousin of the KWL chart)
Levels PK-12 Content - Any
Have you ever asked students if they have any questions, and then get in return unresponsive stares? Are there units of study where some or many students seem to fall further and further behind as time goes by? Does it ever seem as if students seem to disengage from the learning experiences and not deeply understand the task even though you explained it many times?
The Need to Know process (N2K) can have a significant positive impact to addressing these concerns. While it is often used in Project-Based Learning, it can be successful with any unit of study in any content. The process consists of introducing the overarching questions and learning goals within a unit and then engaging students in sharing all they know or think they know and all that they need to find out in order to complete the learning. These charts and then referred to and used as the learning unfolds. (McCarthy, 2015)
PRO TIP
PRO TIP
Stop Fishing! When we fish for participation, it sounds like "Who can tell me...." or " "Who thinks they know...". When we "cast" questions like this, hoping for a "bite", we are teaching to those who already know the answers and teaching the rest of the class to disengage. All learners deserve to think about and answer questions, but without strategies for this, only those who "bite" get this opportunity. After giving students solo or partner think time, consider these ways to share "Knows and Need to Knows" (Motley, Small Moves)
HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLES
MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMPLES
ELEMENTARY EXAMPLES
In which phases of the instructional model might this strategy be used? While the Know Need to Know charts are initially built in Engage, they are referred to throughout the entire unit as students grow their knoweldge.
In which phases of the instructional model might this strategy be used? While the Know Need to Know charts are initially built in Engage, they are referred to throughout the entire unit as students grow their knoweldge.
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