Checking for Understanding: Strategies to Use in the Field
Brainstormed by folks
at the AEOE Spring 2005 Conference in the ELL/EE workshop
**Note: Ideas with
a # next to it means that it was mentioned multiple times**
- Concept map-visual illustration (mapping out/connecting concepts)
- Prior
knowledge
- Having kids explain
- “Can anyone teach me?”
- Show/Tell/Bring me examples (physical
interaction)
- ###“If you understand, do something fun/silly/physical”
- Hand
on your head
- Finger on your nose
- Thumbs up
- ##“Explain in your own words…”
- ##Pair & share with
your neighbor
- Refer back to visuals
- #“Live in the moment” (close your eyes & point
to an example of…)
- #Draw a picture of…
- Draw a picture of something related & label
- Group work
- Give examples or opposites
- Ask open-ended questions to urge them to think
critically
- #Journal about something they learned
- Give them 3 different colored cards,
each corresponding to a different level of understanding. Have them hold
up whichever card that shows their level of
understanding
- Have them write down
an answer and place it an “anonymous box”,
from which you draw answers
- Show me
with your hands
- Play games
- Skits/charades
- Quick answer question/repeat directions
- Stump the professor
- Scenario-problem/solution debate
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