Checks for Understanding

Use these optional prompts to notice whether a lesson landed. They are conversation tools, not grades.

Four Universal Checks

These work at the end of any lesson:

1. What is one idea from today? (recall)
2. How would you explain this to a younger kid? (understanding in own words)
3. Where might you see this in real life? (application)
4. What is one question you still have? (metacognition)

Signs of Understanding

• Student describes the concept without just restating a definition
• Student produces a real-world example that actually fits
• Student connects the idea to a previous lesson
• Student asks a follow-up question that shows further thinking

Signs to Revisit

• Student restates a term without being able to define it
• Student example does not quite fit the concept
• Key vocabulary term is causing confusion
• Students disagree in a way that shows the core idea was unclear

If Understanding Has Not Landed

1. Ask a simpler question: "What was this lesson roughly about?"
2. Use an analogy or concrete example
3. Use a scenario card -- concrete scenarios often unlock ideas that abstract explanation did not
4. Come back next session -- some ideas need time

Privacy Note

No student responses need to be recorded. These checks are for the facilitator to decide what to revisit -- not for grading or reporting.