• Pump up the Vocab

    Do I Really Get It?

    ELPS 1B, 1C, 1D, 2D, 2I, 3F, 5B
    IP Rubric I-2, I-3, I-4

    Print this Routine

Questions Addressed

    • How can I tell if students really understand?
    • How do I get reluctant students to answer questions?
    • How do I know if everyone gets it, not just those I call on?

Why It Works

    • Planning checkpoints* allows us to align formative assessment with content and language objectives.
    • Strategies to check for student understanding throughout the lesson help correct misconceptions quickly and deepen thinking.
    • Students give higher-quality responses when teachers provide think time and allow students to talk through their initial thinking.

How to Implement This Routine

  • Predict student confusion and plan questions.

  • Check understanding of instructions.

  • Use response signals.

  • Monitor students closely and address confusion.

  • Provide think time and talk time before cold calling.

  • Extend superficial responses.