Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Cool Tool for Checking for Understanding

It's important to periodically check for understanding during a lesson, but often a teacher gets blank stares instead of helpful feedback. I heard of making these student "whiteboards" from a colleague, and it's made all the difference. Simple insert a white piece of paper or card stock in a page protector. Then supply dry erase markers (or have students provide their own) and a paper towel, and you have portable, erasable boards. When I'm explaining a concept, I'll often stop and ask an on-the-spot quiz question and have students write their answers on their boards and hold them up. This way, I can see at a glance how many are getting it. Better yet, it engages the students and most happily participate.

4 comments:

  1. Do you find that this activity works with 10th graders in English class? Particularly a class where many of the kids are boys with ADHD?

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  2. I haven't had that exact scenario, but it's definitely worth a try. Sometimes the boys, in particular, will draw funny pictures to try and make you laugh instead of answer the question, but at least they aren't zoned out or texting.

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  3. you discover that this action performs with Tenth graders in British class? Particularly a category where many of the children are young children with ADHD? in particular, will sketch crazy images to try and create you have a good laugh instead of response the query, but at least they aren't zone out or texting

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  4. The kind of tool needed when conducting a english composition class for kids.

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