KWL Charts. Reading and Learning Strategy. Before, During and After Reading

The KWL (Know, Want, Learn) is a before, during and after reading and learning strategy. It is used to connect a student’s prior knowledge to what they are actively learning. The student begins by thinking about what they already know about the topic. Next, they think about what they want to know or find out and finally, they actively learn something new about the topic. Explicitly teaching key reading comprehension and learning skills - making connections, self-questioning, visualising, inferring, determining importance, summarising, synthesising and self-monitoring - can help students become more purposeful, active readers, thinkers and learners.