I use K-W-L very often in my classes. It is always interesting to have the students brainstorm what they know about a subject before we discuss and research it. (K) After doing that, we then try to brainstorm what we would like to know about the subject. (W) Sometimes it is best to share our "want to know" thoughts because the students at times get lazy and do not want to know anything else about the subject OR think they are already the expert about the it. After discussing together what we want to know-we then research and try to find out the answers to our questions. We record this in what we have "learned." ("L") This is a very helpful tool in getting the children to think deeper about topics. There are always things we can learn about any subject-even if we think we know all about it. Maybe we need to look at another perspective to find a "what I want to know." Everyone ALWAYS learns something new using this strategy!!
Sarah Patten