Know
What is the primary purpose of the "Know" column in a KWL chart?
A. To list questions you have about a new topic
B. To record facts you have already learned after reading
C. To brainstorm information you already have about a topic before starting
D. To summarize the main idea of a story
C. To brainstorm information you already have about a topic before starting
The "K" stands for "What I Know." It is a pre-reading strategy used to activate a student's existing knowledge base.
What is the main goal of the "Wonder" column in a KWL chart?
A. To list every single thing you already know
B. To create questions that guide your research or reading
C. To write a summary of the chapter you just finished
D. To grade yourself on how much you have learned
B. To create questions that guide your research or reading
The "W" stands for "What I Wonder" (or "Want to know"). It helps students take ownership of their learning by generating specific goals for the lesson.
What is the primary purpose of the "Learned" column in a KWL chart?
A. To list the questions you still have after the lesson
B. To reflect on and record the new facts and concepts you discovered
C. To brainstorm what you think you might learn tomorrow
D. To write down things you already knew before the lesson started
B. To reflect on and record the new facts and concepts you discovered
The "L" stands for "What I Learned." It is the place to summarize the results of your inquiry.
In a CER response, what is a Claim?
A. A list of all the data found in an experiment
B. A one-sentence statement that answers a question or solves a problem
C. A long paragraph explaining why you like a specific topic
D. A question you ask before starting a science investigation
B. A one-sentence statement that answers a question or solves a problem
The claim is the "conclusion" or the direct answer. It shouldn't include "I think" or "because"—it should be a bold, clear statement of fact.
What is the best definition of an inference?
A. Copying a sentence directly from the book to answer a question
B. Making an educated guess based on text evidence and your own knowledge
C. Predicting exactly what will happen in the next chapter
D. Identifying the main character’s name and setting
B. Making an educated guess based on text evidence and your own knowledge
The "formula" for an inference is: Text Evidence + Schema = Inference. It is a logical leap, not just a literal observation.
When filling out the "Know" section, why is it helpful to think about your "prior knowledge"?
A. It helps you predict what will happen at the end of a book
B. It connects what you already understand to the new information you are about to learn
C. It allows you to skip reading the parts you already know
D. It helps you check your spelling and grammar
B. It connects what you already understand to the new information you are about to learn
Activating prior knowledge creates "hooks" in the brain, making it easier for new information to stick and making learning more meaningful.
Which type of question is most effective for the "Wonder" section?
A. Questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"
B. Questions that ask for information you already wrote in the "Know" column
C. Open-ended questions that start with "Why," "How," or "What if"
D. Questions that have nothing to do with the topic
C. Open-ended questions that start with "Why," "How," or "What if"
Effective "Wondering" involves higher-order thinking. These types of questions encourage deeper inquiry rather than just seeking quick, one-word facts.
When should you fill out the "Learned" section of the chart?
A. Only before you start reading the text
B. While you are reading and immediately after you finish
C. Whenever you think of a new question to ask the teacher
D. Only if you forgot what you wrote in the "Know" column
B. While you are reading and immediately after you finish
While many wait until the end, active learners often jot down findings as they encounter them to ensure they don't forget key details.
Which of the following is the best example of scientific Evidence?
A. "I think the plant grew taller because it looked very healthy."
B. "Plants are my favorite things to study in science class."
C. "The plant in the sunlight grew 3 inches, while the plant in the dark grew 0.5 inches."
D. "My friend told me that plants need a lot of water to grow."
C. "The plant in the sunlight grew 3 inches, while the plant in the dark grew 0.5 inches."
Good evidence is objective, measurable, and observable (data). Option A is an opinion, and Option D is hearsay.
Read this sentence: "As Sarah walked through the front door, she slammed her bag on the floor and marched straight to her room without saying hello." What can you infer about Sarah?
A. She is excited to start her homework
B. She had a long but successful day at school
C. She is upset or angry about something
D. She is looking for something she lost in her room
C. She is upset or angry about something
The evidence (slamming the bag, marching, not speaking) are common physical signs of frustration. The text doesn't say she is mad, but the clues lead you there.
Which of the following is an example of something that belongs in the "Know" column before starting a lesson on the Solar System?
A. How many rings does Saturn have?
B. I want to find out if there is water on Mars.
C. I know that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
D. I learned that Pluto is considered a dwarf planet.
C. I know that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
This is a statement of existing information. Options A and B are questions (Wonder), and Option D is a statement of completed learning (Learned).
Imagine you are starting a unit on Ancient Egypt. Which of these belongs in the "Wonder" column?
A. The Nile River is in Africa.
B. Ancient Egyptians built large pyramids.
C. How did the workers move such heavy stones without modern machines?
D. I learned that King Tut became pharaoh at a very young age.
C. How did the workers move such heavy stones without modern machines?
Options A and B are facts (Know), and Option D is a result (Learned). A question that seeks new information is a perfect fit for the "Wonder" column.
Which of these is the most complete example for the "Learned" column after a lesson on the Water Cycle?
A. I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.
B. Clouds are pretty.
C. I discovered that "transpiration" is when plants release water vapor into the air.
D. I know that water can turn into ice.
C. I discovered that "transpiration" is when plants release water vapor into the air.
This is a specific, new piece of academic information. Option A is a "Wonder," and Option D is "Know."
What is the main job of the Reasoning part of CER?
A. To restate the claim using different words
B. To provide a list of the materials used in an experiment
C. To explain how the evidence supports the claim using scientific principles
D. To ask a new question about a different topic
C. To explain how the evidence supports the claim using scientific principles
Reasoning is the "glue." It takes the data (Evidence) and explains why it proves the answer (Claim) is correct based on what we know about how the world works.
Why is background knowledge (schema) important when making an inference?
A. It allows you to ignore what the author wrote and use your own ideas
B. It helps you understand the context of the evidence provided in the text
C. It tells you the definitions of every word in the paragraph
D. It isn't important; you should only use the words on the page
B. It helps you understand the context of the evidence provided in the text
If a text says "the ice began to crack," you use your background knowledge (knowing that thin ice is dangerous) to infer that the character is in peril.
If a student is unsure if a "fact" they know is 100% accurate, what should they do in the "Know" column?
A. Leave it out entirely
B. Write it down anyway, as it represents their current understanding or "schema"
C. Put it in the "Learned" column instead
D. Only write things their teacher has already told them
B. Write it down anyway, as it represents their current understanding or "schema"
The "Know" column is about the student's current perception. If a "fact" turns out to be a misconception, it can be corrected in the "Learned" column later.
How does the "Wonder" section help you while you are actually reading a text?
A. It gives you a reason to read faster so you can finish early
B. It acts as a "treasure map" to help you spot specific answers as you read
C. It tells you which vocabulary words will be on the next test
D. It allows you to skip the "Know" column entirely
B. It acts as a "treasure map" to help you spot specific answers as you read
By establishing questions beforehand, students become active participants in the reading process, looking for specific evidence to satisfy their curiosity.
What should you do if you find information that proves a "fact" in your "Know" column was actually wrong?
A. Erase the "Know" column so no one sees the mistake
B. Ignore the new information and keep your original idea
C. Record the correct information in the "Learned" column to show how your understanding changed
D. Stop using the KWL chart because it is too confusing
C. Record the correct information in the "Learned" column to show how your understanding changed
One of the best uses of KWL is "correcting misconceptions." Seeing how your knowledge grew from a mistake to a fact is a sign of great learning.
Imagine you are arguing that "School should start later." Which piece of Evidence best supports this claim?
A. Many students say they feel tired in the morning.
B. A study showed that middle schoolers who sleep 9 hours have 20% higher test scores.
C. Starting school later would be a very popular decision for everyone.
D. My alarm clock is very loud and wakes me up at 6:00 AM.
B. A study showed that middle schoolers who sleep 9 hours have 20% higher test scores.
Strong evidence uses specific data or research. Option A is too general, and Options C and D are opinions or personal anecdotes.
Read this scenario: "The sky turned a bruised purple, and the air suddenly became still and heavy. Birds stopped chirping, and a distant siren began to wail."
What is the most logical inference about the setting?
A. A beautiful sunset is about to happen
B. It is late at night and everyone is sleeping
C. A severe storm or tornado may be approaching
D. The characters are at a noisy construction site
C. A severe storm or tornado may be approaching
The "bruised purple" sky and the "still and heavy" air are classic atmospheric clues for a major storm, and sirens often signal weather emergencies.
Brainstorming in the "Know" phase is often compared to "tuning your brain" to a specific frequency. Why?
A. It makes your brain work faster during a test
B. It helps you ignore information that isn't interesting
C. It prepares your mind to notice and grab onto new, related details as you read
D. It helps you memorize the glossary of a textbook
C. It prepares your mind to notice and grab onto new, related details as you read
By thinking about the topic beforehand, students become more "alert" to relevant information, which improves overall comprehension.
If you find the answer to one of your "Wonder" questions while reading, what is the best next step?
A. Cross out the question and forget about it
B. Move the information to the "Learned" column and keep looking for more answers
C. Stop reading because you found what you were looking for
D. Write the answer in the "Wonder" column next to the question
B. Move the information to the "Learned" column and keep looking for more answers
The "Learned" column is designed to capture the resolutions to your "Wonder" questions. If a question remains unanswered, it can lead to further independent research.
How does the "Learned" column help you prepare for a big test or project?
A. It serves as a personal study guide of the most important points you mastered
B. It tells you exactly which page numbers to look at in your textbook
C. It lists the names of other students who finished the work faster than you
D. It guarantees that you will get an A without having to study
A. It serves as a personal study guide of the most important points you mastered
By looking back at the "Learned" column, you can quickly review the specific answers to your own earlier questions and the core goals of the lesson.
Why is it important to include Reasoning instead of just stopping after the Evidence?
A. Because it makes the writing look longer and more professional
B. Because evidence doesn't always speak for itself; you must "connect the dots" for the reader
C. Because the Reasoning section is where you list your bibliography
D. Because it is the only part of the CER that the teacher actually grades
B. Because evidence doesn't always speak for itself; you must "connect the dots" for the reader
Reasoning ensures the reader understands the logic behind your argument. It shows that you understand the "why" behind the facts.
If a reader makes an inference that is not supported by evidence in the text, what is that called?
A. A valid conclusion
B. A summary
C. An unfounded assumption
D. A direct quote
C. An unfounded assumption
An inference must be "tethered" to the text. If there is no evidence to support the idea, it is just a guess or an assumption, not a true inference.