K-W-L charts are graphic organizers that help students organize information before, during, and after a unit or a lesson. They can engage students in a new topic, activate prior knowledge, share unit objectives, and monitor students' learning. The below KWL grid illustrates a zoo set up where students will fill up the details post their zoo visit. In the K-Column, they will write what they already know. In the W-Column, they will write what they wish to learn. In the L-Column, students will write what they have learned to post their zoo's visit. Using a K-W-L chart, students can research a topic and use it to track information gathered along the way.
