Printable KWL charts to use in your homeschool or classroom. Plus tips on how to use one with your kids!
One of my favorite educational tools to get kids excited about exploring a topic. KWL charts are a great way to organize thoughts, assess prior knowledge, and evaluate what was learned.
This set has several different charts including basic ones with just letters and ones with titles. Along with both horizontal and vertical layouts!
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Make sure to check out these additional literacy printables: Book and Reading Logs
To print, simply click the button below the image to bring up a PDF version of the sheet. Each organizer fits a standard 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper.
Jump to:
Horizontal Organizers
Vertical Organizers
What is a KWL Chart
A KWL chart is an organizational tool with three columns: what I know, what I want to know, and what I learned.
What I Know = prior knowledge
What I Want to Know = questions or inquires about a topic
What I Learned = new knowledge gained
How to Fill Out
Before beginning an activity, think about then fill out the "Know" section along with the "Want to Know". Then after conducting the activity fill out the "Learned" section along with adding any additional questions to the "What to Know" column.
You can use these charts before and after reading a book, listening to a presentation, or conducting a hands-on activity.
A great follow up activity is to discuss what kids learned and questions they have about the topic.
Age Range
- Preschool
- Kindergarten
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
One of the best things about these graphic orangizers is you can use them with a wide range of ages. From young children in pre-K to older kids in middle and high school.
Young children can verbally answer each part while you write down the information. A great tip is to let kids not only write, but draw illustrations!
Skills to Practice
- Summarizing
- Brainstorming
- Prior Knowledge
- Forming Questions
- Writing
As a literacy teacher, I LOVED having kids organize their thoughts using a kwl chart. Since the chart is open-ended it lets your child practice a wide range of skills.
From brainstorming what they know about a topic to thinking of information they want to know more about.
Letting children take the time to think about a topic before, during, and after learning about it helps to reinforce the information that they learned.
Helpful Tips
- Encourage your child to write in short points versus sentences. This lets the practice note taking by summarizing their thoughts.
- You can fold the paper into three sections to let your child focus on one column at a time.
- Let them get creative and use different color pens or pencils to fill in the chart.
- Not just for words, images and diagrams can be draw on the graphic organizer too!
I like to print off a few blank copies to have on hand. Since these charts are open ended, you can use them when reading a book, conducting a science experiment, or even when nature journaling!
Terms of Use
These printables were created by Nature Inspired Learning and are for personal use only for your home, classroom, or public library. All of these free printable charts are for non-commercial use. See full disclosure.
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