KWHHL Level of Expertise 5
What is the instructional strategy?
KWHHL is a variation of the traditional KWL chart. KWHHL not only asks students to write and record what they know, what they want to know, and what they learned, but it also asks them to document “head” and “heart” words (Szabo, 2006, p. 60). The “head” words are words that students may find difficult or confusing, while the “heart” words are words that evoke a particular feeling or emotion from students. Also, the Want to Know category can be filled out both before and during reading to further students’ engagement and comprehension.
Why does the strategy work?
The strategy works because it allows students to think about what they already know about a topic, as well as what they’d like to know, prior to reading. This form of the KWL also allows students to complete portions of the chart during reading, which encourages students to interact with and make connections to the text. Lastly, the final column (What I Learned) encourages students to reflect on what they have read as well as examine what they have written in the previous columns and make connections between prior knowledge and the information they encountered in the text.
How does it work?
1) Students complete the Know and Want to Know columns prior to reading pp. 192-198 in Writers Inc (Sebranek, Kemper, & Meyer, 2001).
2) Students add to the Want to Know column as they read.
3) Students complete the Head Words and Heart Words columns as they read.
4) Students complete the What I Learned column after reading.
Sources Referenced: Szabo, 2006; Sebranek, Kemper, & Meyer, 2001
What it looks like:
Directions: Before reading pg. 192-198 in Writers Inc, complete the first two columns on this worksheet with your knowledge about persuasive writing. During reading, record any words that confuse you or that you want to remember in the “Head Words” column and any words that cause you to feel an emotion in the “Heart Words” column. After reading, complete the “What Have I Learned” column.
| What Do I Know? | What Do I Want to Know? | Head Words | Heart Words | What Have I Learned? |
| There are different types of persuasive writing. Two types of persuasive writing are: essay of opposing ideas and essay of argumentation | Before Reading: What are some specific types of persuasive writing? How do we write a persuasive piece? While Reading: | | | |
