There are three columns in a KWL chart. In the first column is the K, which stands for what the students already know about the topic. The W is in the second column and stands for what the students want to know about the topic. Finally, the L (in the third column) stands for what the students have learned.

SQ3R is a reading comprehension method named for its five steps: survey, question, read, recite, and review. Follow the steps below to learn how to glean as much information as possible from the text requirements from any class. Remember: The information you gain from reading is important.

Process

• Survey (“S”)
• Question (“Q”)
• Read (R1)
• Recite (R2)
• Review (R3)

KWL, an acronym for Know, Want-to-know, and Learned, is an effective way to read with purpose. KWL is easy to apply and can lead to significant improvement in your ability to learn efficiently and to retain what you have learned.

Answer

1. First column: Record what you already know about a particular topic (prior knowledge), before you start researching the topic.
2. Second column: Ask yourself: “what do I want to know?” about a topic and then record those points.
3. Third column: record what you learn during the research process.

The KWL chart is useful to complete formative assessment in the classroom. It allows the teacher to find out the students prior knowledge on a particular topic. From this knowledge the teacher is then able to gear their lessons based upon this information.

Teacher Directions: NOTE: The KWL Chart is used as a diagnostic assessment in lesson 1 and as a summative and review in lesson 6. Keys are given for both uses.

K-W-L charts are graphic organizers that help students organize information before, during, and after a unit or a lesson. They can be used to engage students in a new topic, activate prior knowledge, share unit objectives, and monitor students’ learning.

Pro-tip: Learn more about effective formative assessment strategies in our bestselling book, Mindful Assessment.

• Analysis of Student Work.
• Strategic Questioning Strategies.
• Think-Pair-Share.
• Exit/Admit Tickets.
• One-Minute Papers.
• 22 Simple Daily Assessment Strategies That Really Work.

Chapter 1. The Lay of The Land: Essential Elements of the Formative Assessment Process

• Shared learning targets and criteria for success.
• Feedback that feeds learning forward.
• Student self-assessment and peer assessment.
• Student goal setting.
• Strategic teacher questioning.
• Student engagement in asking effective questions.

Examples of formative assessments include asking students to:

• draw a concept map in class to represent their understanding of a topic.
• submit one or two sentences identifying the main point of a lecture.
• turn in a research proposal for early feedback.

Effective formative assessment strategies involve asking students to answer higher-order questions such as “why” and “how.” Higher-order questions require more in-depth thinking from the students. They can help the teacher discern the level and extent of the students’ understanding.

True: A formative assessment is defined by Bill Younglove as “the frequent, interactive checking of student progress and understanding in order to identify learning needs and adjust teaching appropriately.” This IS an example of a formative assessment.

In this sense, formative assessment informs both teachers and students about student understanding at a point when timely adjustments can be made. Formative assessment helps teachers determine next steps during the learning process as the instruction approaches the summative assessment of student learning.

Summative assessments are quizzes and tests that evaluate how much someone has learned throughout a course. In the classroom, that means formative assessments take place during a course and summative assessments are the final evaluations at the course’s end.

By assessing students at the end of a module, course, or even entire program curriculum, summative assessment provides faculty insight into how well their students have mastered the delivered content.

Let’s discuss and understand the benefits of summative assessment.

• Determines the Achievement of a Candidate.
• Ideal for Keeping Academic Records for Future.
• Identifies Gap In a Candidate’s Learning.
• Diagnoses Possible Instructional Gaps.
• Motivates Individuals For Self Improvement.

The Five Major Features of Summative Assessments

• Authenticity. A test should examine real-world applications.
• Reliability. Tests given as summative assessments should hold up in another setting, or with another set of students.
• Volume. Educators should avoid the urge to over-test.
• Validity.
• Variety.

The main drawback to summative assessments is that they often compel teachers to “teach to the test.” With the increase in standardized testing that’s being required by many states and districts, testing has gotten a bad name, and for good reason.

Summative assessment aims to evaluate student learning and academic achievement at the end of a term, year or semester by comparing it against a universal standard or school benchmark. Summative assessments often have a high point value, take place under controlled conditions, and therefore have more visibility.