53 Ways to Check for Understanding

1. Summary Poem Activity
   • List ten key words from an assigned text.
   • Do a free verse poem with the words you highlighted.
   • Write a summary of the reading based on these words.
2. Invent the Quiz
   • Write ten higher-order text questions related to the content. Pick two and answer one of them in half a page.
3. The 411
   • Describe the author’s objective.
4. Opinion Chart
   • List opinions about the content in the left column of a T-chart, and support your opinions in the right column.
5. So What? Journal
   • Identify the main idea of the lesson. Why is it important?
6. Rate Understanding
7. Clickers (Response System)
8. Teacher Observation Checklist
9. Explaining
   • Explain the main idea using an analogy.
10. Evaluate
    • What is the author's main point? What are the arguments for and against this idea?
11. Describe
    • What are the important characteristics or features of the main concept or idea of the reading?
12. Define
    • Pick out an important word or phrase that the author of a text introduces. What does it mean?
13. Compare and Contrast
    • Identify the theory or idea the author is advancing. Then identify an opposite theory. What are the similarities and differences between these ideas?
14. Question Stems
    • I believe that ________ because _______.
    • I was most confused by _______.
15. Mind Map
    • Create a mind map that represents a concept using a diagram-making tool (like Gliffy). Provide your teacher/classmates with the link to your mind map.
16. Intrigue Journal
    • List the five most interesting, controversial, or resonant ideas you found in the readings. Include page numbers and a short rationale (100 words) for your selection.
17. Advertisement
    • Create an ad, with visuals and text, for the newly learned concept.
18. 5 Words
    • What five words would you use to describe ______? Explain and justify your choices.
19. Muddy Moment
    • What frustrates and confuses you about the text? Why?
20. Collage
    • Create a collage around the lesson's themes. Explain your choices in one paragraph.
21. Letter
    • Explain _______ in a letter to your best friend.
22. Talk Show Panel
    • Have a cast of experts debate the finer points of _______.
23. Study Guide
    • What are the main topics, supporting details, important person's contributions, terms, and definitions?
24. Illustration
    • Draw a picture that illustrates a relationship between terms in the text. Explain in one paragraph your visual representation.
25. KWL Chart
    • What do you know, what do you want to know, and what have you learned?
26. Sticky Notes Annotation
    • Use sticky notes to describe key passages that are notable or that you have questions about.
27. 3-2-1
    • Three things you found out.
    • Two interesting things.
    • One question you still have.
28. Outline
    • Represent the organization of _______ by outlining it.
29. Anticipation Guide
    • Establish a purpose for reading and create post-reading reflections and discussion.
30. Simile
    • What we learned today is like _______.
31. The Minute Paper
    • In one minute, describe the most meaningful thing you've learned.
32. Interview You
    • You’re the guest expert on 60 Minutes. Answer:
      1. What are component parts of _______?
      2. Why does this topic matter?
33. Double Entry Notebook
    • Create a two-column table. Use the left column to write down 5-8 important quotations. Use the right column to record reactions to the quotations.
34. Comic Book
    • Use a comic book creation tool like Bitstrips to represent understanding.
35. Tagxedo
    • What are key words that express the main ideas? Be ready to discuss and explain.
36. Classroom TED Talk
37. Podcast
    • Play the part of a content expert and discuss content-related issues on a podcast, using the free Easypodcast.
38. Create a Multimedia Poster with Glogster
39. Twitter Post
    • Define _______ in under 140 characters.
40. Explain Your Solution
    • Describe how you solved an academic problem, step by step.
41. Dramatic Interpretation
    • Dramatize a critical scene from a complex narrative.
42. Ballad
    • Summarize a narrative that employs a poem or song structure using short stanzas.
43. Pamphlet
    • Describe the key features of _______ in a visually and textually compelling pamphlet.
44. Study Guide
    • Create a study guide that outlines main ideas.
45. Bio Poem
    • To describe a character or person, write a poem that includes:
      • (Line 1) First name
      • (Line 2) 3-4 adjectives that describe the person
      • (Line 3) Important relationship
      • (Line 4) 2-3 things, people, or ideas the person loved
      • (Line 5) Three feelings the person experienced
      • (Line 6) Three fears the person experienced
      • (Line 7) Accomplishments
      • (Line 8) 2-3 things the person wanted to see happen or wanted to experience
      • (Line 9) His or her residence
      • (Line 10) Last name
46. Sketch
    • Visually represent new knowledge.
47. Top Ten List
    • What are the most important takeaways, written with humor?
48. Color Cards
    • Red = "Stop, I need help."
    • Green = "Keep going, I understand."
    • Yellow = "I'm a little confused."
49. Quickwrite
    • Without stopping, write what most confuses you.
50. Conference
    • A short, focused discussion between the teacher and student.
51. Debrief
    • Reflect immediately after an activity.
52. Exit Slip
    • Have students reflect on lessons learned during class.
53. Misconception Check
    • Given a common misconception about a topic, students explain why they agree or disagree with it.

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