Reading+Comprehension

In 1986 D.S. Olge introduced an instructional tool to the classroom known as the KWL. The tool was designed to guide students as they read to gather information about a topic. It begins by accessing any prior knowledge that the students may have. The students brainstorm on the current topic before they begin reading by placing them in the “K” column. They write all that they can remember. This knowledge can be correct or incorrect and they check it as they read throughout the topic. They proceed with asking questions about things they would further want to know about the topic in the “W” column. In the last column L they write down the information that they read about. There is another version known as the KWHLAQ (Barell, 1995) that has been modified to use with project based learning. It contains the pre-reading strategies of the KWL but adds the element of the scientific observation processes to further guide the project.



This strategy is appropriate for all grade levels. Modifications can be made to correspond with the topic or project of the subject matter. KWL Charts KWHLAQ Charts (Can be modified according to the Project)
 * 1) Make copies to be distributed to the students with modifications if needed. Students can also draw the chart in their notebooks.
 * 2) Present the topic to be read to the students.
 * 3) Have the students list all that they “Know” about the topic under the “K” column. (This can be done individual, small groups, or together as a class)
 * 4) Have the students write questions about what they would “Want” to find out more about the topic under the “W” column.
 * 5) Proceed with reading about the topic. (This can be done individual, small groups, or together as a class)
 * 6) The student’s record their findings about what they learned on the last “L” column.
 * 7) Have the students go back to the column “K” and check to see if their prior knowledge about the topic is correct. If there are any mistakes have them cross the incorrect facts and write the correct ones under the “L” column.
 * 1) Have the students pick a topic that they will need to research for their project.
 * 2) The students write all they know already about that topic in the “K” column.
 * 3) Students then write questions that need to research to find out more about the topic. Place these questions under the “W” column?
 * 4) Students place a list under the “H” column of where and what they are going to use to find out the answers to their questions.
 * 5) Under the “L” column the students will place what they have learned about the topic from their research. This may also be done on a separate paper depending on how much information they have gathered.
 * 6) The “Q” column is for any future questions the students may have about the topic. These questions can then be researched themselves.

Ogle, D. S.(1986). K-W-L group instructional strategy. In A. S. Palincsar, D. S. Ogle, B. F. Jones, & E. G. Carr (Eds.), //Teaching reading as thinking // (Teleconference Resource Guide, pp. 11-17). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Copyright © 2007 by Corwin Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted from //Problem Based Learning: An Inquiry // //Approach, //by John Barell. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, http://www.corwinpress.com. Reproduction authorized only for the local school site or nonprofit organization that has purchased this book.