Science Related Printable KWL Worksheet Themes


What are KWL Charts?

Educators and parents should understand KWL charts and the impact that they can have on academic progress. Here we explain everything about it!

KWL Chart Explained

Some of the key benefits of KWL charts are that they can streamline learning and allow a proactive approach to studies. Not only that, they are a cinch to implement owing to their inherent simplicity.


KWL charts can help students with their academic progress and subject understanding. Thanks to their ability to evoke critical thinking, they do this, which can greatly help students grasp the subject matter better.


In simple words, KWL charts entail very basic logical questions for understanding any kind of topic - how, why, where, when, what, and who. These charts allow students to create a roadmap of their learning to know how well they are advancing in their studies.


KWL charts are primarily organizational tools that can facilitate students and teachers alike.


Here is what KWL stands for.

- K - Know
- W - Want to know
- L - Learned

The layout of the chart is very simple. The chart comprises 3 columns. One letter from the acronym KWL is assigned to all columns. So K is assigned to the first column, W is assigned to the second column, and L is assigned to the third column.


KWL charts allow for more streamlined learning thanks to their division and organization by empowering students to chart their progress.


Since KWL charts entail a logical reasoning-based approach to learning, they can boost reading comprehension in students.


Here are some of the benefits of using KWL charts in class:

- Straightforward to use.
- They can quickly reveal gaps in knowledge that students can cover quickly.
- Demonstrate knowledge level, academic progress as well as learning objectives.
- Notetaking - a powerful method of learning - becomes highly organized.
- Highly flexible and can be used for just about any learning situation.

Thanks to their inherent simplicity and ease of use, KWL charts can quickly become popular not just with students but teachers as well. It takes just a few minutes at most for the average student to understand how these charts work.


KWL charts involve recording all stages of learning. Hence, it allows students to note down what they already know, what questions they have, and the learning outcomes.
KWL charts can be of great use to teachers as well. They can help teachers identify learning outcomes, goals, and objectives to be achieved in class.


Using these charts, teachers and students can have a birds-eye view of academic progress. And thanks to the interactive nature of these charts, students will feel a greater motivation to learn. And due to the attributes described above; students will be more likely to take ownership. This can bolster the learning process. Due to its structural layout and its insights into student progress, KWL charts are a simple solution for highly individualized learning.


Being flexible and versatile, KWL charts are ideal for both group and individual learning.
Here is a detailed look at how you can work with a KWL chart.

Column 1 - Know

To start using the KWL chart, you must create 3 equal columns on the page you are working with.


You can use a plain sheet of paper. Or you can resort to an online tool.
For each column, assign one letter each in the given order: K, then W, then L.
Inside the Know column, students should note down their knowledge about the topic.
Going about it is to draw this chart on a board and then start filling it in together with the class. Also, you can get all students involved by requesting them to fill in their charts individually. This will help them to keep track of the lesson.


By leveraging these charts, teachers can quickly view how much each child in the class is advancing. Based on this information, the educator can plan the lesson in the best way possible. Doing so will let the teacher know which topic points are the most problematic for the whole class.


The value of the first column is also due to another key factor. It will bring any misconception or wrong understanding that students may have about the topic. Hence, the teacher will be able to remediate this issue immediately.

Column 2 - Want to Know

Now it's time to move on to the second column. Students can fill in this column simply by noting what they desire to understand about this topic.


To help students understand what they should be knowing, you can ask them to answer "how, why, where, when, what and who". Simply write these down in the second column to spark relevant questions in the minds of students that will help them discern what knowledge is needed.

Column 3 - Learned

This column is very easy to fill since students have to note down what they have understood simply. This column contains the answers to the questions posed in the second column.


Besides stating what they have learned, students can also mention any misconception that has been cleared up.


Depending on your teaching style, you can either instruct students to fill out this column while the class is in progress or instruct them to fill it out towards the end of the class.
The key benefit of this column is that it provides a simple way for students to review what they just learned.


Although the KWL is a simple organizational tool, it can greatly assist both teachers and students. We hope our guide will help you learn it!