Before beginning a new unit or topic of study, spend some time to find out what your class already knows. An easy and organized way of doing this is by using a KWL chart. Simply use a piece of chart paper or a large piece of butcher paper, divide it into three columns, and label them K, W, and L. The K stands for what the students already know, the W for what they want to know, and the L for what they learned. Keep it posted throughout the unit adding to the L column every day or week so students can see everything that they learned.