What is the most useful purpose of a K-W-L chart?

A K-W-L chart is a graphic organizer designed to help students reflect on what they already Know, what they Want to learn, and what they have Learned by the end of a lesson. The primary purpose of this tool is to activate students' prior knowledge and make connections to new information. This engagement is crucial because it encourages students to think critically about what they already understand about a topic while fostering anticipation about what they want to discover.

By using a K-W-L chart, teachers can effectively gauge students' background knowledge before a lesson begins, which can guide instruction and help in tailoring lessons to meet the students' needs. Furthermore, this approach encourages active participation and self-directed learning, as students take an active role in their educational journey.

The other options serve different functions that do not align with the primary purpose of the K-W-L chart. Summarizing content at the end of a lesson can be useful but does not reflect the unique function of the K-W-L model. Evaluating student assessments and recording homework assignments are important educational tasks but are not related to the specific interactive and reflective nature of a K-W-L chart.