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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.
 * 1) Invent the Quiz
 * Write ten higher-order text questions related to the content. Pick two and answer one of them in half a page.
 * 1) The 411
 * Describe the author’s objective.
 * 1) Opinion Chart
 * List opinions about the content in the left column of a T-chart, and support your opinions in the right column.
 * 1) So What? Journal
 * Identify the main idea of the lesson. Why is it important?
 * 1) Rate Understanding
 * 2) Clickers (Response System)
 * 3) Teacher Observation Checklist
 * 4) Explaining
 * Explain the main idea using an analogy.
 * 1) Evaluate
 * What is the author's main point? What are the arguments for and against this idea?
 * 1) Describe
 * What are the important characteristics or features of the main concept or idea of the reading?
 * 1) Define
 * Pick out an important word or phrase that the author of a text introduces. What does it mean?
 * 1) 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?
 * 1) Question Stems
 * I believe that ________ because _______.
 * I was most confused by _______.
 * 1) 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.
 * 1) 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.
 * 1) Advertisement
 * Create an ad, with visuals and text, for the newly learned concept.
 * 1) 5 Words
 * What five words would you use to describe ______? Explain and justify your choices.
 * 1) Muddy Moment
 * What frustrates and confuses you about the text? Why?
 * 1) Collage
 * Create a collage around the lesson's themes. Explain your choices in one paragraph.
 * 1) Letter
 * Explain _______ in a letter to your best friend.
 * 1) Talk Show Panel
 * Have a cast of experts debate the finer points of _______.
 * 1) Study Guide
 * What are the main topics, supporting details, important person's contributions, terms, and definitions?
 * 1) Illustration
 * Draw a picture that illustrates a relationship between terms in the text. Explain in one paragraph your visual representation.
 * 1) KWL Chart
 * What do you know, what do you want to know, and what have you learned?
 * 1) Sticky Notes Annotation
 * Use sticky notes to describe key passages that are notable or that you have questions about.
 * 1) 3-2-1
 * Three things you found out.
 * Two interesting things.
 * One question you still have.
 * 1) Outline
 * Represent the organization of _______ by outlining it.
 * 1) Anticipation Guide
 * Establish a purpose for reading and create post-reading reflections and discussion.
 * 1) Simile
 * What we learned today is like _______.
 * 1) The Minute Paper
 * In one minute, describe the most meaningful thing you've learned.
 * 1) Interview You
 * You’re the guest expert on //60 Minutes//. Answer:
 * 1) What are component parts of _______?
 * 2) Why does this topic matter?
 * 3) 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.
 * 1) Comic Book
 * Use a comic book creation tool like Bitstrips to represent understanding.
 * 1) Tagxedo
 * What are key words that express the main ideas? Be ready to discuss and explain.
 * 1) Classroom TED Talk
 * 2) Podcast
 * Play the part of a content expert and discuss content-related issues on a podcast, using the free Easypodcast.
 * 1) Create a Multimedia Poster with Glogster
 * 2) Twitter Post
 * Define _______ in under 140 characters.
 * 1) Explain Your Solution
 * Describe how you solved an academic problem, step by step.
 * 1) Dramatic Interpretation
 * Dramatize a critical scene from a complex narrative.
 * 1) Ballad
 * Summarize a narrative that employs a poem or song structure using short stanzas.
 * 1) Pamphlet
 * Describe the key features of _______ in a visually and textually compelling pamphlet.
 * 1) Study Guide
 * Create a study guide that outlines main ideas.
 * 1) 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
 * 1) Sketch
 * Visually represent new knowledge.
 * 1) Top Ten List
 * What are the most important takeaways, written with humor?
 * 1) Color Cards
 * Red = "Stop, I need help."
 * Green = "Keep going, I understand."
 * Yellow = "I'm a little confused."
 * 1) Quickwrite
 * Without stopping, write what most confuses you.
 * 1) Conference
 * A short, focused discussion between the teacher and student.
 * 1) Debrief
 * Reflect immediately after an activity.
 * 1) Exit Slip
 * Have students reflect on lessons learned during class.
 * 1) Misconception Check
 * Given a common misconception about a topic, students explain why they agree or disagree with it