Know and Need to Know Lists in Project Based Learning Classrooms

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When I first began using the PBL approach in my classroom, I was vigilant about doing making Know and Need to Know lists in my Project Based Learning classroom with my class. But as I progressed and became more experienced they began to fall to the wayside.

It wasn’t until two years ago I realized that I had been neglecting this powerful tool. But why is it so common for this much needed resource to be forgotten? And how does returning to it benefit our students?

To answer these questions, we will take a look at Know and Need to Know time in the classroom and discuss a few tricks for implementing it effectively for your students.

First, let’s define Know and Need to Know. If you aren’t familiar with this educational tool, it is a way to frequently check in with your students. Using two columns, our class discusses the Driving Question (DQ). We categorize facts and statements by things we know about the topics related to our DQ and things we need to know in order to accomplish the answering or solving of the driving question we wrote.

Why are Know and Need to Know lists so commonly forgotten?

1. It can feel like a "chore".

Referring to our board, Google Doc, or student notes regularly can feel like a task that needs to be checked off each week, instead of a helpful tool. But by referring to our list regularly, we are actually using Know and Need to Know as a regular “check-in” with our students. In fact, we can use many of the Need to Know questions as exit slip prompts to help us ensure students have attained the key points and main ideas behind our PBL units.

While referring to our chart regularly can seem like a daunting task, it can also help to boost student engagement in the unit. As a consistent way of reminding them of our goals and the task at hand, we are regularly able to reinvigorate their enthusiasm for our unit.

2. We are busy...REALLY busy.

It is no secret that Project Based Learning is a powerful tool. But it can also mean that every second of an already filled day is packed with activity, learning, and authentic real world experiences. It is so easy for this tool to fall to the wayside, when our students have deadlines for their project that must be met and we have assessments that have to be implemented one on one etc.

But, when we carve out time for our Know and Need to Knows we find that the work that we are doing can become more meaningful for students. “Wow! This article answers our Need to Know!” This phrase is a snap to attention that brings students back to their learning with fresh enthusiasm.

Suggestions for QUICK Know and Need to Knows Time

Make a Know and Need to Know time each week (Fridays were my favorite)
Use Know and Need to Knows as a station or review activity for Asking and Answering questions standards.Click here for my printable resource.
Set a timer on the board to keep it quick and help students track their think time.
Use Google Docs to create a real-time document together.
Use a post-it or white board so students can interact without the teacher
Make it a part of your morning or pack-up routine

3. We don’t understand how it is different from what we are already doing.

Many of us are familiar with a KWL chart. In fact, in coaching other PBL facilitators one of the most common things I hear is “So, it’s just a KWL chart...right?”. In truth, it is very similar. However, there are a few key differences that once pointed out will help you to see why a Know and Need to Know chart is much easier to navigate during a PBL unit than a KWL chart.

There are only two columns in a Know and Need to Know chart. This helps us make weekly or daily check-ins MUCH faster and easier on our students.
Instead of checking in at the beginning, middle, and end of a task or unit like a KWL chart, we should be checking in AT LEAST once a week, after every major PBL unit event, and during all learning activities related to Need to Knows brought up by students.

4. How does returning to a Know and Need to Know chart regularly benefit our students?

Consistent reminders about what our purpose is and why we need to learn more about our topic helps set the relevancy and authenticity of our PBL unit. This increases our student engagement
It gives our students the “think time” necessary to critically analyze how their learning connects with their PBL.
When done before, it helps to set a purpose for community partner relationships and field trips related to our PBL unit. “We need to learn more about how bees make honey. When the bee keeper comes to visit us, what questions can we ask from our Need to Know?”
When done after a community partner visit or field trip, it helps students to synthesize the knowledge they gained and categorize it by importance. “Now that we have returned, lets look at our Need to Know and see what we learned that can be moved to the Know column.” “Is there anything we didn’t realize we needed to know more about?”
When done immediately following a DQ discussion with students, we, as facilitators, are able to categorize topics and see connections with the curriculum that directly relates to our students needs (more than planning a PBL unit completely before hand).
This chart can also serve as a refresher or mini-entry event for after a long break, snow-day, or testing session, to help remind our students of the goal of our PBL unit.

Want a Google Doc or Know and Need to Know board already created for you? Check out my TPT product with 3 PBL specific boards, including a Know and Need to Know board.