KWHLAQ

What is a KWHLAQ chart?

A KWHLAQ chart is an extended version of the very popular KWL chart. Both are teaching tools that help to organize thoughts and ideas, before, during, and after a learning exercise. First, students identify what they know about a topic. Then, they think about what they want to research or learn. After the lesson, they then reflect on what they have learned.

KWHLAQ asks the following questions:

• K – What students already KNOW about a topic?
• W – WHAT students want to learn or find out?
• H – HOW they will research or find the information they want to learn?
• L – What students have LEARNED about the topic after taking action?
• A – How will students APPLY the knowledge they’ve learned?
• Q – What QUESTIONS they still have or have thought of as a result of the learning exercise?

References

• Langwitches. 2015. “An Update to the Upgraded KWL for the 21st Century.” Blog. 
• Barell, John F. Why Are School Buses Always Yellow?: Teaching for Inquiry, K-8. Corwin Press, 2016.

Why do a KWHLAQ chart?

The KWHLAQ chart is a simple but effective instructional technique which puts the student at the center of inquiry-based learning. In addition to the benefits of the basic KWL Chart, the extended version:

• Provides teachers with valuable information as to what students already know about a given topic (diagnostic assessment).
• Builds collective learning by helping students to learn from each other (peer-to-peer learning).
• Enables teachers to create more enjoyable lesson plans that address the interests, questions, and needs of the students
• Creates interest and curiosity and encourages students to expand their ideas beyond the lesson or training provided in the classroom environment.
• Facilitates a more authentic experience by asking them how they will apply their knowledge.

Who should use a KWHLAQ chart?

A KWHLAQ chart is useful for both group and independent learning and formative assessment. Teachers and trainers can use this technique to create customized, student-centric lesson plans while still linking to a curriculum or organizational learning goals. Independent researchers can use the model to organize their ideas and keep track of their progress.

Because the KWHLAQ methodology presents information as a sequence of scaffolded steps, it is especially useful for visual, young, and ESL learners.

KWHLAQ chart template

What I KNOW

Identify what the students already know.

Complete before planning and delivery of the lesson.

What I WANT to know

Investigate what students want to know.

Reinforce that knowledge gaps are not a deficiency but an opportunity to grow. Complete before planning and delivery of the lesson.

HOW will I find out

Assess strategies, resources, and tools available to help find the answers and create a plan.

Complete before research or delivery of the lesson.

What I LEARNED

Information about what the students have learned.

Complete during and after delivery of the lesson.

How I will APPLY this knowledge

Develop a list of how they can apply their new knowledge.

Complete after delivery of the lesson.

QUESTIONS I still have

Identify questions that remain and new questions that arose as a result of the exercise.

Complete after delivery of the lesson.

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