Check for Understanding – “Directions”
Have you ever given directions and set students off to complete a task only to find out that they don’t know what to do? “Repeat Back to Me” is a strategy you can incorporate into your classroom culture that helps students understand what you just said.
There are several ways you can do this, and I like to switch it up to keep students on their toes. Sometimes I’ll say, “What did I just say?” Then students repeat back the information. For example: “I need for you to turn to page 356 of your textbook …. WHICH PAGE? {356}. Another way, Tell your shoulder partner what the directions are you have 10 seconds. Once this is part of your classroom culture you can use this for any moment (not just directions) in the classroom where you want to make sure the students understand.
This may not see like a power strategy by the advantages are:
· Some students get overwhelmed by too much information
· Students who are dealing with ADD/ADHD tend to have difficulties with understanding, breaking up, and digesting directions
· Helps focus students on specific parts and tasks
· Increases understanding, comprehension, and follow through
· Ensures that students understand the words and concepts
· Gives a very good indication as to whether the student understands what to do, where to start, what direction to go in, etc.