Ever wish your students were more curious, more engaged, and more reflective in their learning? That’s exactly what KWL teaching strategies are designed to spark. By asking students what they Know, what they Want to know, and later, what they’ve Learned, the KWL method turns passive learners into active participants. Whether you’re teaching science, history, or literature, a well-crafted KWL chart can structure lessons, personalize instruction, and fuel meaningful classroom conversations.
What Is a KWL Chart in Education?
A KWL chart is a simple three-column graphic organizer used before, during, and after a lesson:
- K: What students already know
- W: What they want to know
- L: What they have learned
Developed by Donna Ogle in the 1980s, the KWL method supports reading comprehension and inquiry-based learning. In today’s classrooms, it aligns perfectly with curriculum goals, personalized learning, and formative assessment practices.
Why Use KWL Teaching Strategies?
1. Promote Active Learning
Instead of passively absorbing information, students take ownership of their learning. The KWL strategy encourages curiosity, goal-setting, and critical reflection.
2. Activate Prior Knowledge
The “K” column gets students thinking about what they already know. This primes engagement and reveals misconceptions that need to be addressed during instruction.
3. Support Differentiated Instruction
By analyzing student responses in the “W” column, teachers can tailor instruction to specific learning needs or interests.
4. Enhance Metacognition
Reflecting in the “L” column helps learners evaluate their progress and build deeper understanding, skills essential for lifelong learning.
How to Use the KWL Method in Teaching
Step 1: Fill in the “K” Column
Ask students what they already know about a topic. Encourage quick writes or group brainstorming. This step surfaces relevant background knowledge and prepares students for new content.
Example Prompts:
- “What do you already know about climate change?”
- “List any historical events you remember related to World War II.”
Step 2: Fill in the “W” Column
Invite students to write down what they want to learn. Use open-ended questions to guide inquiry.
Use Prompts:
- Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Example Prompts:
- “What causes climate change?”
- “Why did the war start?”
Step 3: Fill in the “L” Column
After the lesson, students revisit the chart to complete the “L” column with new information, reflections, or answers to their questions.
Reflection Starters:
- “Now I understand that…”
- “I learned that…”
Using KWL Charts Across Subjects
The KWL method is flexible and works across all disciplines:
| Subject | K Column | W Column | L Column |
| Science | What I know about the water cycle | How does it affect the weather? | I learned about evaporation and condensation |
| Literature | What I know about the main character | Why does the character behave this way? | The story shows the impact of family and society |
| History | Facts about a historical event | What caused it? Who was affected? | The war started due to economic and political issues |
You can also apply KWL teaching strategies in project-based learning, unit reviews, and group research assignments.
KWL Chart Templates for Every Grade Level: From Preschool to High School
Ready to bring KWL teaching strategies into your classroom? These grade-specific KWL chart templates are tailored to different learning levels and subjects, helping students activate prior knowledge, spark curiosity, and reflect on what they’ve learned. Use them as is, or customize them with tools like Creately to match your lesson objectives.
Preschool KWL Chart: Farm Animals
Introduce young learners to the world of animals by exploring what they already know about life on the farm.
- K: “I know cows give milk.”
- W: “Where do chickens sleep?”
- L: “Chickens live in a coop.”
Kindergarten KWL Chart: The Weather
Use this KWL chart to guide a basic unit on weather and seasons.
- K: “Rain comes from clouds.”
- W: “Why does it snow?”
- L: “Snow happens when it’s cold and clouds are full of ice.”
Elementary KWL Chart: The Solar System
Help students explore space and planets with this engaging KWL method template.
- K: “There are 8 planets.”
- W: “What is Saturn’s ring made of?”
- L: “The rings are made of ice and rocks.”
Middle School KWL Chart: Ancient Civilizations
Deepen inquiry with a social studies-focused KWL chart for ancient history topics.
- K: “The Egyptians built pyramids.”
- W: “How did they move the heavy stones?”
- L: “They used ramps and teamwork.”
High School KWL Chart: Climate Change Research
Challenge older students to critically engage with current global issues.
- K: “Greenhouse gases trap heat.”
- W: “What are the biggest contributors to global warming?”
- L: “Fossil fuels and deforestation are major causes.”
Engaging KWL Teaching Strategies That Work
1. Think-Pair-Share for K and W Columns
Start with individual reflection, then move into pairs to share and refine entries. Finally, groups present their top ideas to the class. This builds confidence and fosters discussion.
2. Rotate Roles During Group Work
Assign roles like timekeeper, recorder, or presenter to ensure equal participation and keep chart discussions focused.
3. Use Multimedia to Spark Inquiry
In the W column phase, use short videos or infographics to trigger questions. Students can annotate directly in their charts.
4. Student-Led Reflections
In the L column, have students explain key takeaways to peers. This boosts confidence and reinforces comprehension.
5. Track Progress Over Time
Use digital KWL charts to document learning milestones. Revisit older entries to compare growth and deepen insights.
Helpful Resources
Explore the purpose, key benefits, and how to use KWL Charts effectively with ready-to-use templates. Boost learning through structured inquiry.
Discover how the KWL strategy boosts learning, reading, and test prep. Includes chart examples, visual templates, and tips for effective implementation.
Explore 15 KWL chart examples for preschool to high school, corporate training, and subject-specific learning.
Explore the top KWL benefits for learners. Learn how KWL charts promote reflection, engagement, and goal-setting. Includes templates for easy classroom use.
Best Practices for KWL in Education
- Review at Key Milestones: Check charts at the start, midpoint, and end of units to measure progress.
- Encourage Question Refinement: Allow students to update the W column as they learn more.
- Connect to Learning Objectives: Align KWL chart activities with curriculum standards.
- Use for Formative Assessment: KWL charts offer a clear view of student thinking without formal testing.
- Promote Peer Feedback: Have students exchange charts and give constructive input in small groups.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Using KWL Teaching Strategies
Even though KWL teaching strategies are simple and effective, there are a few common mistakes that can limit their impact. Here’s how to avoid them and get the most out of your KWL charts in any learning environment.
Not Revisiting the Chart Regularly
Pitfall: Teachers often treat the KWL chart as a one-time activity at the start of a lesson.
Fix: Revisit the chart throughout the unit. Encourage students to refine their “W” questions and add to the “L” column as new learning occurs. This turns the chart into a dynamic reflection tool rather than a static worksheet.
Using Generic or Vague Prompts
Pitfall: Students list shallow or overly broad statements like “I want to learn more about space.”
Fix: Guide students to ask specific, inquiry-driven questions. Model how to turn general interests into researchable questions using the 5Ws and H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How). This helps deepen the inquiry phase of the KWL method.
Skipping Group Discussions
Pitfall: Filling out the KWL chart individually and moving on without discussion.
Fix: Use Think-Pair-Share, group brainstorming, or peer reviews to spark richer conversations. Collaborative KWL strategies improve engagement, clarify misconceptions, and build collective understanding.
Misaligning the Chart with Learning Objectives
Pitfall: KWL chart questions and reflections are disconnected from your lesson or unit goals.
Fix: Align the KWL chart to your curriculum standards. Use student responses to guide instruction, identify learning gaps, and gather formative assessment data.
Letting the Chart Collect Dust
Pitfall: Charts are created but never reviewed, archived, or reused.
Fix: Use digital tools like Creately to store and revisit KWL charts across lessons or terms. Archived charts help track student progress, identify patterns in learning, and inform future planning.
Pro Tip: Treat KWL as a Thinking Framework
KWL is more than a graphic organizer; it’s a mindset. When used consistently and interactively, KWL teaching strategies build critical thinking, curiosity, and ownership of learning.
Using Creately to Power Up Your KWL Charts
With Creately, you can create visually engaging and collaborative KWL charts in minutes. Start from scratch or choose from a library of customizable templates.
- Collaborative Workspaces: Students can update K, W, and L entries in real-time
- Sticky Notes & Comments: Teachers can give feedback directly on chart entries
- Template Customization: Add learning objectives, media, or rubrics
- Knowledge Management: Archive charts, track learning progress, and export for reports or portfolios
- AI KWL Chart Template: Let Creately’s AI generate personalized KWL templates based on your lesson topic or subject area. Just input a theme (e.g., “Photosynthesis” or “Civil Rights Movement”), and get a ready-to-edit chart aligned with your learning goals.
KWL teaching strategies offer a structured, student-centered approach to learning that supports curiosity, reflection, and critical thinking. Whether you’re introducing a topic, guiding a project, or reviewing a lesson, KWL charts help educators connect content to student interest and measure growth in meaningful ways.
Start using KWL charts in your classroom today—with ready-to-edit templates and collaborative tools from Creately.
Resources:
Husnaini, H. (2018). THE EFFECTIVENESS OF KNOW –WANT-LEARN (KWL) STRATEGY IN TEACHING READING COMPREHENSION. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 6(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v6i2.512.
Jstor.org. (2024). K-W-L Plus: A Strategy for Comprehension and Summarization on JSTOR. [online] Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40031872.
Ogle, D.M. (1986). K-W-L: A Teaching Model That Develops Active Reading of Expository Text. The Reading Teacher, [online] 39(6), pp.564–570. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20199156.
Usman, B., Fata, I.A. and Pratiwi, R. (2019). TEACHING READING THROUGH KNOW-WANT-LEARNED (KWL) STRATEGY: The effects and benefits. Englisia Journal, 6(1), p.35. doi:https://doi.org/10.22373/ej.v6i1.3607.
FAQs About KWL Teaching Strategies
What is a KWL chart?
A KWL chart is a three-column graphic organizer used in teaching to support active learning and student engagement. The acronym stands for:
- K – What I Know: Students list prior knowledge about a topic.
- W – What I Want to Know: Students generate questions or learning goals.
- L – What I Learned: After the lesson, students reflect on new understanding.
KWL charts are commonly used in classrooms across subjects like science, history, reading, and language arts. They help learners activate prior knowledge, stay focused during instruction, and evaluate what they’ve learned—making the KWL strategy a simple yet powerful teaching tool.
How can I use KWL charts for students with learning differences or special education needs?
Can KWL teaching strategies be used in online or remote learning environments?
How often should students update their KWL charts during a unit?
Are KWL charts effective for adult learners or professional development?
What’s the difference between a KWL chart and a KWHL chart?
A KWHL chart is an expanded version of the traditional KWL model. It includes an additional “H” column:
- K: What I Know
- W: What I Want to know
- H: How I will find the information
- L: What I Learned
The “H” column encourages research planning and source evaluation, making it useful for independent learning, STEM inquiry, and digital literacy activities.
What are other teaching and learning strategies similar to the KWL chart?
While the KWL chart is a popular tool for guiding inquiry-based learning, there are several extended strategies that build on its structure:
KWHLAQ Chart
This method expands the original KWL by adding deeper reflection and application:
- H – How will I learn it?
- A – How will I Apply my knowledge?
- Q – What new Questions do I have?
This version promotes metacognitive thinking, real-world application, and continuous inquiry.
KWL+ or SIFR Chart
The KWL+ or SIFR chart further encourages critical thinking and information literacy:
- S – Still want to know/learn
- I – Importance of what I learned
- F – Where I Found information
- R – What I want to Remember
These adaptations help students engage in research, evaluate sources, and reflect on lasting takeaways from the learning process.
