Type of Literacy:
Reading Comprehension (pre-reading and post-reading) and Writing
Reading Level:
All Secondary Reading Levels; Based on how the Know-Want to Know-Learned (KWL) is used in the class, students at lower reading levels or ELs might have more in the K column to start, but this is a good gauge for the teacher and the student to see how much they learn in the lesson regardless of what other people do. For ELs and lower reading levels, they have the ability to still add lots to the L column and that will be more meaningful than comparing the K column to others.
Prep Time:
2-5 min. (Choosing the topic)
K-W-L Chart in Use -
How to Fit into a Social Studies Classroom:
KWL is very good for a pre-assessment on what students might already know about a unit. KWL in a social studies classroom can be a routine way for formative assessments and pre-assessments. Finding out where students are in a lesson before starting and then using their informal L column to see what they have really learned and if many students seem to be missing a topic that you thought you had covered well.