Checking for children's understanding

It's really important you discover where the children are up to in their learning. Questioning is a really powerful tool and if presented in the right way can give you a clear indication of what they realise. The teacher you're filling in for will really appreciate that information in your notes too. I've jotted down a few tips and techniques for questioning and letting them show you their knowledge in a more student directed way. 

1. Make sure the questions are open ended; how do you know that, what do you think it means, what can you tell me about... They allow the children to verbally paint a picture of what they know and might surprise you with what they know and what they need explained. Yes/no answers really give very little information.

2. Reflection time: 5 minutes to think and then record by writing, drawing or acting out can be really effective in allowing them to recap on what they've learnt and consolidate their learning.

3. Think. Pair. Share: give the children a few minutes to think about the lesson, then explain what they've learnt to their partner, then their partner explains to the class.

4. who's being honest game: ask 3 children to explain a concept you've just been learning to the class two are wrong and one is right. Children decide on who is telling the truth and explain why that is the correct answer.