A KWL chart is a thinking strategy that builds on students’ prior knowledge of a topic. KWL requires students to identify what they already know (K) about a particular subject, what they want (W) to know, and what they learn (L) as a result of the lesson. Begin by leading students in a group brainstorming session that activates their prior knowledge of nineteenth-century America—what life was like, where food was obtained, what modes of transportation were available, what major events took place, etc. Students should list what they already know about the nineteenth century under K. Then ask students to formulate questions individually about what they want to know and write them under W. Throughout the lesson students should note in the L column what they have learned from the works of art and readings.

To complete the KWL Worksheet activity, students should make sure what they wrote in the learned (L) column during the lesson is complete. The information may be answers to the questions they formulated about what they wanted to know (W) or surprising new bits of information. Students should use what they wrote in the L column as the basis for a summary paragraph on what they learned about nineteenth-century daily life. If questions in the W column remain unanswered, these can form the basis for class discussion, or students can be guided to seek further information in appropriate texts or on the Web.

This printable worksheet is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.