To integrate media literacy into existing practice, my colleague Cyndy Scheibe and I developed an easy media literacy tweak to K-W-L:
Once kids are generally familiar with the method, we suggest pausing after exploring "What do you know?" to ask "And how do you know that?" (can be phrased as: Where did you learn that? Where did you get that idea? What was your source? etc.). It's amazing how often the answer is some form of media (e.g., believing that there are no cities in Africa because their only visual reference is Lion King). Then we can explore with them which types of media are valuable sources for different topics.
After "What did you learn?" we add, "And what was the strongest source or evidence?" Then we can help kids begin to develop a sense of what sorts of characteristics are common to credible information sources and how a source that is good for one topic isn't necessarily the best source for all topics.
And after "What do you want to learn?" We add a version of "And where do you think we could find answers (or credible information that would help you learn what you want to know?"). Then we can help them explore different types of sources and perhaps expand their thinking but offering one or two that occurred to them.
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Dr. Faith Rogow
InsightersEducation
Ithaca NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2021 02:05 PM
From: Sally Root
Subject: K-W-L charts with young preschoolers
Hi Mary!
Thanks for sharing those links! These a terrific investigations, and provide wonderful examples to help teachers implement inquiry in the classroom.
A few other things to consider. Remember that preschooler and toddlers are not yet readers, so displaying this type of chart is not very useful for them. Print should be combined with pictures if it is used as display in the classroom. From my perspective, the K-W-L chart is really useful as a tool to identify children's knowledge and experience, and then to document the construction of new knowledge as the children investigate.
I worry that using K-W-L charts could lead to more "push down" academics in the early childhood classroom. I would love to hear more contributions to how this looks using the lens of DAP.
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Sally Root
QRIS Coach
The Children's Cabinet
Carson City NV
Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2021 12:09 PM
From: Mary Samour
Subject: K-W-L charts with young preschoolers
Hi Hillary,
It reminded me of an approach I'm more familiar with, that I thought I might share in case you were searching for more ideas on documenting children's learning. In our Summer issue we have an article that gives an example of Visible Thinking. The article can be found here:
What Are You Thinking? Scaffolding Thinking to Promote LearningI would love to hear more about your first inquiry or project!
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Mary Samour
Online Community Manager
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 12:53 PM
From: Hillary Seel
Subject: K-W-L charts with young preschoolers
Hello all!
Looking for advise and tips on using K-W-L charts with young preschoolers. I teach late 2 year olds to late 3 year olds and would love to incorporate K-W-L charts to facilitate our project-based curriculum.
Thanks in advance!