KWL Chart
Know / Want to know / Learned, blank.
A KWL Chart is a classic three-column graphic organizer divided into Know, Want to Know, and Learned. Students fill in the first two columns before starting a new unit or reading assignment, then complete the third column after instruction. This simple format activates prior knowledge, sets a purpose for learning, and gives students a concrete record of how their understanding grew. Teachers in grades 1 through 8 use it across every subject, from science experiments to historical events to story analysis. Parents find it equally handy for guiding home reading sessions. Because the template is completely blank, it adapts to any topic without modification.
Learning objectives
- Activate and record prior knowledge before instruction
- Set personal learning goals through focused questioning
- Track conceptual growth from start to finish of a unit
- Build metacognitive awareness of what has been learned
- Support pre-reading and pre-research prediction skills
- Provide a self-assessment snapshot for teacher feedback
How to use this template
- Download and print one copy per student or display digitally on a device.
- Before the lesson, have students write everything they already Know in the first column.
- In the Want to Know column, students list their own questions and curiosities.
- Teach the lesson, read the text, or conduct the research activity.
- After instruction, students complete the Learned column and compare it to their questions.
Classroom & home ideas
- Use it as a warm-up at the start of every new science or social studies chapter.
- Project a class-size version on the whiteboard and fill it in collaboratively during a read-aloud.
- Assign it as a pre-homework activity so students arrive with questions already formed.
- Have students revisit their Want to Know column at the end of the unit to check which questions were answered.
- Staple completed charts into student portfolios as evidence of learning progression.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
What age group is this KWL Chart best suited for?
It works well from grade 1 onward. Younger students can draw or dictate entries; older students write detailed notes. The blank format scales to any reading level.
Can this template be reused across different subjects?
Yes. Because all three columns are blank, you can print one sheet and use it for science, history, literature, or any topic without any changes.
How many columns does this printable have?
It has three columns labeled K (Know), W (Want to Know), and L (Learned), with generous writing space in each.
Is the KWL Chart useful for home reading sessions?
Absolutely. Parents can print one before a non-fiction read-aloud, help children fill the K and W columns first, then revisit the L column together after finishing the book.
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