The K-W-L method of teaching is a simple method that actively engages students in their own learning. It has been used with kindergarten and elementary grades to teach other subjects. The authors have successfully used it to teach physics at the college level. In their introductory physics labs, the K-W-L method helped students think about what they know about a topic and started the students questioning their own ideas about physics. After gathering data in class, the students were ready to talk about what they learned from the laboratory information. (Contains 3 figures.)