Teaching Tip: By Mushkie Lipsker @evergrowingeducator
Imagine planning a road trip from California to Maine. You pack snacks, make a playlist, and map out stops at National Parks. Confident in your route, you turn off the GPS to avoid interruptions.
You drive through storms, scenic views, and dark, winding roads. After nine refuels and 3,397 miles, you’re thrilled to finally arrive—until you turn the GPS back on and hear, “Recalculating.” It turns out you made the wrong turn six days ago. Now you’re 500 miles off course, frustrated and wondering, Why didn’t the GPS tell me sooner?
Well, if it was kept on, you would have been notified that you need to recalculate to stay on track. Shouldn’t our classrooms do the same?
As teachers, how and when do we assess students? Is it only at the end of the unit (summative assessment), or are you checking frequently during the unit (formative assessment)? Are we giving assessments before a new topic (diagnostic assessment)? How can we bring in more checks for understanding throughout the lesson?
Don’t let your students’ learning journey end with a surprise “recalculating”—check the map as you go. Here are 3 ways to check for understanding throughout the lesson:
- Personal Whiteboard Paddles: Quick and interactive, these small whiteboards allow students to write short answers, practice handwriting, or respond to true/false questions. They provide immediate feedback on whether students are following along.
- Finger Responses: Perfect for reviewing multiple-choice answers or gauging understanding. Students can raise their fingers to choose from A, B, C, or D.
- Post-It Notes: At the end of the lesson, ask students to write their main takeaway on a Post-It note. This simple exit ticket can show what students understood and where clarification might be needed.
Checking for understanding can help you know if you can continue straight on your current journey or if, perhaps, you might need to do some “recalculating.”
May our learning journeys be, as we say in Tefilas Haderech, לְחַיִּים וּלְשִׂמְחָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם – with life, joy and peace.
For more educational tidbits and resources, visit evergrowingeducator.com
