The KWL Chart

Overview

The instructor introduces the KWL chart as a flexible study and thinking tool. It can help people recall information, organize ideas, prepare to write, and get ready for deeper learning. The chart also maps the thinking process and encourages critical, analytical reading.

The Three Parts of a KWL Chart

• K — What you know: Write brief notes or bullet points about what you already know about the topic.
• W — What you want to know: List questions about the topic. They can build on what you already know or address gaps in your knowledge.
• L — What you learned: After reading or researching, record new information, including answers to your questions and details you had not previously considered.

A KWL chart is a pre-writing and pre-learning activity. It helps focus your thinking before an essay, reading, or lesson.

Assignment: Make a KWL Chart About Little Red Riding Hood

1. Create a chart with K, W, and L columns, either on paper or on a computer.
2. In the K column, record as many details as you can remember about the story. Aim for a substantial effort rather than just a couple of points.
3. In the W column, write questions about the story. If you know little about it, you are expected to have more questions.
4. Choose and read one version of Little Red Riding Hood online. The instructor suggests looking for an older version, which may differ from modern children’s adaptations, but any version is acceptable.
5. Fill in the L column with what you learned, including answers to your questions and any new or surprising details.
6. Keep the completed chart; do not submit it yet. The instructor plans to discuss it in the next lecture before collecting it.

Why Use a Familiar Fairy Tale?

The instructor chose a commonly known story so students can practise the unfamiliar KWL technique with a topic they may already recognize. The activity also shows that a seemingly simple children’s story may offer more to examine.

By reading analytically and looking “between the lines,” students can move beyond the surface plot and consider what a story communicates. This connects to the broader course focus on analytical thinking and reading: examining a text logically, looking for meaning beyond its literal wording, and working toward a fuller understanding of an author’s ideas.

Class Reminder

Students who have not submitted the earlier narrative essay about interviewing someone should turn it in during the week. Late work may still receive credit, and a partial essay is preferable to receiving no credit.

Speakers and Sources

• Speaker: The instructor/teacher, identified by the channel as Dan Wheeler. No other speakers are heard in the subtitles.
• Sources and works mentioned: Little Red Riding Hood and its different versions, including versions the instructor describes as Japanese and Chinese. Google is suggested as a way to find a version online.