Most of us use a list of questions as a means for checking for student comprehension. And sure there is a time and a place for that. But if that is all we ever do, it will become boring for students. So why not spice up your comprehension check arsenal and add a few of these ideas to your daily lesson plans.
Why do we check for comprehension?
Checking for understanding is important in the teaching and learning process. Teachers need to do checks as part of the student evaluation process, but there are other reasons we need to do this.
- Helps teachers identify learning goals
- Provides students with important feedback
- Instruction should be planned based on the comprehension checks
- Informs the student where they are at in the learning process
Why we need to do more than just ask questions
Asking questions is a great way to assess our bravest, smartest, overachieving students. However, this type of comprehension check does not work for the majority of the students we teach. Think about when you ask simple questions in your class like, “Do you understand that?” or “Does that make sense?” What was your students’ reaction? Maybe one or two students answered, but the majority sat there staring blankly at you. Am I right? You may even beg for a response so kids will shake their heads yes. But did they really get it?
Let me share a few ideas for checking for understanding that requires every student to be involved in a response.
#1 – Pair and Teach
While this isn’t a new concept, it is a great technique for comprehension checks. Teaching someone else new information is a great way to solidify what one has learned. It is a great way to review the material at the end of a lesson or story. The teacher can stand back and observe/watch/listen and take note of where students are. Did they get it or not?
To add to this require the student to ask their “teacher” two questions that the “teacher” must answer. Make sure students switch roles. No time in class for this? No problem. Require students to record themselves teaching someone at home what they learned in class that day.
#2 – Draw Pictures
I am not an artist and my students know this. I literally get laughed at when I try to draw. It has become a huge game in class to try to guess what Mrs. Newsom is drawing.
Because of this, I think I get great participation in drawing activities even from kids who are not good at drawing. After a chunk of information has been provided, have students do a quick drawing of what was just taught. Maybe you shared a part of a story or told some information about a holiday. Have students use images to tell what they understood.
If you find your students are not receptive to drawing offer alternatives:
- Make a digital drawing
- Allow students to find an image online
- Encourage stick figures from everyone for the sake of time
#3 – Use Graphic Organizers
Using concept maps or other graphic organizer can be a great way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the lesson. This can be done alone, with a partner, or in small groups.
This is also a great activity to complete digitally. Students can use the map to link to ideas and information on the web showing what they understood. I have the students use a combination of links, images, and written text to explain. Sometimes students can create a video in the target language to explain the new concept. The concept map actually helps students create a study guide.
#4- Word Clouds
Word clouds are one of my favorite ways to check for comprehension. They are so pretty and creative. There are a ton of free word cloud generators out there. Next time you are using a story don’t grab for those numbered question lists. Instead have students create a word cloud of what they understood. For example, if you are describing what a house looks like, have them use the adjectives that describe the house in the word cloud.
#5 – Use the whiteboard
I do this in my classroom a lot. To check what students understand, I give the information then I toss my Expo markers at students and instruct them to write the words or phrases to show what they understood. This can be done for vocabulary words, parts of a story, or even to show the rules to a grammar concept.
Once students are tossed the marker, they come to the board and write down their ideas. When they are done they get to toss the marker to someone else. This makes the task a bit more interesting. If information was left out, you can quickly reteach that and add it to the board.
What will you try?
I know there are so many ways you can check student understanding. I hope one of these ideas resonates with you and you can shake up your classroom and try one of these ideas this week.
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