Checking for Understanding: Are You With Me So Far? Presented by Peer Observers Karen Buelow Jennifer Fuerman Marianne Kenney Joe Ladow

Content/Language Objective TWBAT orally explain what Checks For Understanding are and describe their importance as they relate to effective teaching and learning practices in the classroom using language from the LEAP Framework for Effective Teaching and by: a) Group work and discussion b) Video model

 Deepen your understanding of what “Checking for Understanding” is, why it is important, and how to structure it  Be able to connect indicators from Framework for Effective Teaching to effective classroom practice  Increase your knowledge of classroom structure and student engagement strategies that support checks for understanding By the end of this session, you will:

Introduction Why it’s important Connecting CFU to the Framework Overview Video and Debrief “Get One – Give One” Modeling Strategies Closure Our Agenda:

Poll Everywhere Grab your cell phone and text the level of your background knowledge.

Task: “Think – Pair – Share” Read the quote on the next page Think about it’s implications for students and their instruction Working with your shoulder partner discuss your opinion Compelling Reason

"In research conducted on closing the achievement gap between racial and ethnic groups, studies found that almost half of African American and Latino students indicate that they understand the lesson about half the time, or less. The same is true for between one-quarter and one-third of Asian American and white students. African American and Latino students also reported less understanding of the processes being taught and less comprehension of assigned reading materials.“ Newsletter on Minority Student Achievement Network (2003)

If you had to choose one word which best defines for you the biggest impact on check for understanding it would be: varied frequent adjust accountability In your group, discuss your rationale. Four Corners: Voting with Your Feet

“Four Square” strategy allows students to: See multiple opinions and connections between answers Retell or share information on the subject to others Synthesize information in a different format Why are Checks for Understanding important?

Using the handout for the indicator I.5 Checks for Understanding from the Framework: Individually highlight key words in the effective column for both teachers and students Guided Practice Discuss with a shoulder partner Large group discussion What themes emerge? Highlighting Key Words Activity

In Checks for Understanding The teacher… Uses a variety of questioning strategies to see if students “get it” Makes decisions about the pace of the lesson Should I move forward? Do I need to back up? This is followed by correction and re-teaching if needed.

And they re-teach content and skills to students who are not demonstrating progress towards mastering the content/language objective: Individual Small groups Whole group Peer teaching Checking for Understanding: What Teachers do/say

Students demonstrate understanding when they: Review and clarify Explain - what and why Are cognitively engaged Explain the topic and the skill Checking for Understanding: What Students do/say

Saying “OK” Assuming students understand Questions anyone? “I caught you” Common Errors Teachers make During Checks For Understanding

Let’s Observe We’re going to watch a video that shows several teachers using the Check for Understanding Cycle in their classrooms. Think about which strategies would work well to check for your students’ understanding. Be ready to share your thinking. reamer/Checking/checking_video.asp

Take a few minutes to share your observations with a shoulder partner (Think-Pair-Share). Identify two or three strategies that you would like to try in your classroom. After Observing

Specific Strategies for Checks For Understanding Let’s consider some specific strategies you can use in your class easily. Refer to the Handout: “Active Student Response Strategies” Review the strategies and put a check beside the ones that might be used to check for understanding.

Strategies are like spices ….you have to know how and when to use them!

Specific Strategies for Checks for Understanding So, how do we decide when and how to use specific strategies? Select one of the strategies that you checked on the handout, “Active Student Response Strategies” Record the strategy on the Give One – Get One form and list a “pro” and a “con” for the strategy.

Walk around the room to gather information on the strategies. GIVE ONE: Share your strategy and the pro and con for the strategy. That person adds your strategy and pro and con for it in the appropriate space. GET ONE: The other person shares a strategy and pro and con which you record on your form. Fill in as many of the spaces as you can in the time allowed. Give One, Get One

Guided Practice Let’s practice some “nuts and bolts” strategies as examples of check for understanding tactics discuss: How they align to the framework indicators? How they serve students?

Pose a question Give ‘wait time’ Students hold up their answers Mini White Boards

Alignment: LEAP Indicator Questions require most students to formulate responses and be accountable for the learning

Work in groups of 3-4 teachers One person pulls a question from the envelope Each person takes a minute to answer the question on the “white board” One person says showdown and members of the group show their answers Compare answers. All members must be correct before you can move on to the next question Repeat until all questions are completed. E.P.R (every pupil respond): Showdown

Talk a Mile a Minute Vocabulary Strategy Stand face-to-face with a different partner this time One of you faces the opposite direction from the screen. You have one minute to “Talk-a-Mile-a-Minute” so your partner can correctly identify the vocabulary words.

Peer Observer Common Core Standards Differentiation Feedback Pilot LEAP Jargon

More LEAP Jargon High Impact Instructional Moves Evidence Reflection Teacher Portal Academic Language

Pulling It All Together Think -Pair –Share What do I do well to check for understanding in my classes? What challenges do I face in checking for understanding?

Closure: Connecting Back to the Framework Think: Pick a strategy from the “Active Student Response Strategies” and be prepared to share how it connects to the Framework for Effective Teaching I selected the ________________ strategy and it connects to the framework by ________________. Whip Around

Poll Everywhere Grab your cell phone and text the level of your understanding now that our presentation has concluded. Grab your cell phone and text the level of your understanding now that our presentation has concluded.

Thank you for coming!