The Missouri Reader Vol. 37, Issue 1 | Page 33

Although the KWL is a basic strategy, applying
before, during, and after reading tools with this
strategy can help teachers understand if it is working.
In addition, by choosing trade books wisely in
different content areas, such as the ones shown in the
preceding examples, the KWL does not appear to be a
daunting task for students. While they are learning
content material, they are also reinforcing what they
have learned by reading in an appealing trade book
format. All of the books chosen for this article feature
local areas, local writers, or important figures from a
particular era. In addition, the trade books featured
have all been award winners in a variety of content
area sites, such as YALSA. When students use trade
books in a variety of different subject areas through
the use of a simple KWL method, their interest in
course material becomes much stronger. Since
interest is a key factor in reading (Brown, 1972), we
know that once young adults find material relevant,
they are much more willing to understand and apply
what they have learned.

References
Angel, A. (2010). Janis Joplin: Rise up singing. NY:
Abrams. ALA: American Library Association
(ALA). http://www.ala.org
Irvin, J.L., Buehl, D.R. & Klemp, R.M. (2006).
Reading and the high school student: Strategies
to enhance literacy (2nd Ed.) Boston: Allyn and
Bacon.
Blachowicz, C., & Ogle, D. (2001). Reading
comprehension: Strategies for independent learners.
New York, NY: Guildford Press.
Brown, M. (May-June, 1971). The literature of crisis.
Reading Newsreport, 5:7, 32-35.
Fleischman, J. (2002). Phineas Gage: A true story about
brain science. NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Gallagher, K. (2004). Deeper reading: Comprehending
challenging texts, 4-12. Portland, ME: Stenhouse
Publishers.
Greenberg, J. & Jordan, S. Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait
of an artist. Delacourt Press
National Geographic Society. (2002). Journals of Lewis
and Clark. Washington DC.

Ogle, D.M. (2009). Creating contexts for inquiry:
From KWL to PRC2. Knowledge Quest, 38(1). p.
56-61.
Ogle, D.M. (1986). K-W-L: A teaching model that
develops active reading of expository
Text. Reading Teacher, 39. p. 564-570.
Peters, C. (2003). Bill Gates: Software genius of
Microsoft. Berkeley Heights, NJ.
Pressley, M. (2006). Reading instruction that works.
NY: Guilford Press.
Yalsa (the Young Adult Library Services Association).
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/

Missouri State Council of
the International Reading
Association
Membership in the Missouri State Council is open to
any and all persons engaged in teaching or
supervision of reading at any school level, to parents
and to all teachers interested in the purposes of the
Council.
Active Members. Active membership in the
Missouri State Council shall consist of all members
in good standing in various local councils in the state
of Missouri of the International Reading
Association.
Member-at-Large. Any person from an area not
being served by a local council may become a state
IRA member by paying an annual assessment, as
recommended by the Board of Directors and
approved by the Assembly, to the State Treasurer.
To obtain the membership form, please go to
http://www.missourireading.org/membership, click
on the Membership tab, and then select Form.

©The Missouri Reader, 37 (1) p.33