Formative Assessment:
Strategies That Every Teacher Can Use

In Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI), checking for understanding happens throughout the lesson, not just at the end. Using the TAPPLE process, teachers ask meaningful questions, give students time to think and discuss their answers, call on non-volunteers, and provide immediate feedback. This gives teachers a clear picture of what students understand and what needs more teaching before moving on.

Formative assessment is about how students are forming their understanding of the concept being taught. When teachers check for understanding throughout the lesson, they can spot misconceptions early, give immediate feedback, and adjust instruction in the moment.

Avoid Opinion Questions

Not every question checks for learning.

During a classroom observation, a teacher once asked in a math lesson:

“Who thinks I should carry the 1?”

Some students answered, others ignored it. But this was an opinion question, it didn’t require students to process the math concept. True CFU goes beyond surface responses and requires students to think, explain, and apply what they’ve learned.

What Rosenshine Taught Us

Educational researcher Barak Rosenshine highlighted the power of frequent, purposeful questioning. Examples he suggested include:

• – Tell your answer to a neighbor
• – Summarize the main idea
• – Write the answer on a whiteboard
• – Decide: Do you agree with your partner’s answer?

Rosenshine’s research showed that teachers who asked many meaningful questions had higher student participation and achievement.  Once again, there is power in checking for understanding / Formative Assessments.

The Gifts of Formative Assessment

When teachers use CFU effectively, they gain powerful tools to guide instruction:

• Pacing: Speed up or slow down based on student understanding
• Reteaching: Revisit concepts immediately when misconceptions appear
• Feedback: Provide targeted guidance in real time
• Scaffolding: Support students as they build mastery step by step

In Summary

Checking for Understanding (CFU) through formative assessments gives teachers three huge advantages:

• The ability to reteach in the moment, hit the gas or slow down when needed
• A way to guarantee learning for up to 100% of students by identifying who needs support
• Real-time insight, without waiting for a quiz or test to reveal what students didn’t understand

One last thought

CFU isn’t just a strategy… it’s the heartbeat of effective teaching.