INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
THAT PROMOTE PARTICIPATION
Using questions to check for understanding
Response Cards
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Used by each student in class; teacher can easily
check for understanding of each individual
2 types:
 Pre-printed
(responses already on cards)
 Examples:
Yes/No, alphabet cards, cards with vocabulary
words or important concepts from content area
 Write-on
(blank, allow students to generate response)
 Examples:
white boards/dry-erase boards, index cards,
magnetic boards
Hand Signals
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
Each student uses a designated hand signal to
indicate understanding
Examples:
 Thumbs
up (I understand and can explain), Thumbs
sideways (I’m not completely sure), Thumbs down (I
don’t understand)
 Fingers up (1-5) indicating how well students
understand at each point of solving a problem (5
figures= got it, 2-4= somewhat, 1=lost/don’t know)
Audience Response Systems

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Hand-held devices/controls for each student that
allows him/her to respond to questions
Responses are scored in real time and students
receive immediate feedback
Incorporates technology, questions, and systems for
checking for understanding
Now there are apps to obtain the same end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgz0c0s_w6A
ReQuest (Reciprocal Questioning)


Teach students to ask and answer questions as they
read
Procedure:
 Teacher
leads class in reading text silently
 Students ask teachers questions about text read
 Next section of text read silently
 Teacher questions the students
 Continue taking turns back and forth, alternating
between responding and questioning
Socratic Seminar


Dialectic in nature- examines opinions/ideas logically
through question and answer
Considerations:
Text: selected for ability to engage students in discussion
 Question: seminar begins with a posed question (no right or
wrong answer) where responses should generate new
questions
 Leader: participant and facilitator; demonstrates “habits of
the mind” leading to reflective exploration of text
 Participants: responsible for quality of seminar discussion;
listen actively, share ideas/opinions/questions
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBfH_fhAme0

D. Fisher & N. Frey. (2007). Checking for
understanding: Formative assessment techniques for
your classroom. Alexandria, VA: ASCD