Monday, April 18, 2011

Using KWL for Brainstorming & Inquiry

Thesis

Complete the provided word document titled Thesis and KWL. Make sure you place it in the research paper folder on your desktop.  At the top of your word document, write your thesis that will serve as the focus of your paper.  The following is an example of a topic: "Why FedEx is the top Shipping company in the world" The following is the topic that has been changed to thesis form:  Though there are many fantastic shipping companies in the world, Frederick W. Smith’s FedEx company tops all.



KWL
Your prior knowledge needs to be recorded so that you can distinguish between what information belongs to you and the new information that you will gather through your research. Using a KWL thinking routine, record everything that you can recall about your thesis. Allow that thesis to be the focus of your research.

K= "What I already know about my topic."  You should already know something about your topic to form an opinion about it.  Make sure that you are very detailed and thorough in providing this information.

W="What I want to Learn about my topic."  This will help guide your research if they are thoughtful, meaningful questions.  Use the following questions from the inquiry process below (yellow) to help you brainstorm ideas. There are no right or wrong answers, so answer the questions accordingly.  You might have several responses to the first question of, "What do I want to learn about this topic."  You will write it in question form; for example, if you wanted to learn about FedEx's logistics that make the company so successful, you could ask, "How many airports, planes, etc. does FedEx have globally?" 

L= "What I have learned."  This part of the KWL thinking routine will not be completed until after you have finished researching and organizing your thoughts in your research paper which is not due until the middle of May.







I found the following from www.youthlearn.org that will help you with inquiry.

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