Check for Understanding

Checking for Understanding

Thumbs up/Thumbs down

Fingers in the air (1=a, 2=b, 3=c, 4=d)

ActiVotes/Clickers

Exit tickets

Low-Tech Response System

Until I get the high-tech version, I use die-cut circles for students to vote for their answers on a multiple-choice or true-false review/activity. If I've got 3 answer choices, I use 3 different colors--Green, Blue, and Red. I make plenty so each student has one of each color and I write on both sides of the circles:

  • Green = A on one side, True (or Yes) on the other
  • Blue = B, Maybe
  • Red = C, False (or No)

Students vote by holding up one circle. They put them in stacks by color as they exit. My 4th and 5th graders interact a lot when we use this method. (Regina Hartley)

All you need is 3" Die-cut circles, or any shape you choose!

Ticket Out the Door

The "Ticket Out the Door" is a quick way to check for understanding, get feedback from students, or to have them self reflect/evaluate their work - they must hand you the "ticket" (a brief written response to a question) before they leave the library.

One thing I learned today was...

I can use this strategy again when I...

One thing I am not sure of is ....

Entry Cards & Exit Cards

Same thing as "Ticket Out the Door." I love this! Give the kids an index card and have them respond to whatever prompt you need to do in order to assess for understanding, determine background knowledge, etc. I learned more than a decade ago to stand at the door and give out Entry Cards as you greet students or stand at the door as they are leaving to collect Exit Cards and say something to each student. This gets kids on task right away or uses those last few minutes very effectively. You, the teacher/librarian, get to learn a lot about what the kids are thinking, learning, connecting to, processing, etc. (Catherine Trinkle)

Gold Medal for Good Thinking

I have a few gold medals that I keep near my teaching station. When someone asks a particularly insightful question or helps to explain something during large group or points out something I hadn't thought of, I hand them a "gold medal for good thinking" They can wear it until the end of class or the end of the day. I write out a certificate with a small bit of detail - when they turn in the medal, we trade and they get to take home the certificate. I reuse the medals. This can be particularly helpful to inspire listening/participating with others. A bit tricky to use with Kinders, but great grades 1-5! (Marcia Dressel)

Note: original post said $1 for 10 medals.

Amazon is also an option: less than $7 for 12 medals