Take a Stand

Purpose: To check the whole class’ general level of understanding based on a question that you ask.

Prep Time: 0-5 minutes

Materials: None

Prep: Prepare a few questions to ask the class to check for understanding throughout a lesson.

Procedure: This activity is from Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov.

1. Ask a student a comprehension question after teaching new content. For example, a teacher may explain that a library fine is money that you pay if take your books back late. Then the teacher asks, “Mahmud, your books are due on February 1. You have them at home. What will happen when you take them back to the library?”
2. Withhold the answer and give a neutral response after the student gives an answer. For example, after Mahmud says, “nothing,” the teacher says with a very neutral tone, “Mahmud says nothing will happen.”
3. Ask the class to snap if they agree with the student’s answer or stomp if they disagree. Call on a student or two to explain their answer choices.
4. Reveal the answer.

Note: This technique works best when used with both correct and incorrect responses. If only used with incorrect responses, students will know right away that an answer is not correct. Use the technique one or two times with each lesson, rather than with every question.