Do you ever feel like saying this to your students?
Sometimes I doubt whether my students really understand the material. I may finish explaining how the moon revolves around the Earth as simplistically as possible, and then ask a follow-up question to check for understanding, and I’m met with blank stares. It’s nothing new at all, kids have short attention spans and some concepts are hard to grasp – especially abstract concepts (which come up in science lessons from time to time). Even though I differentiate my methods as much as possible, I know some students will struggle comprehension-wise.
Still, though, it’s a little frustrating to run across the same problems time and again. I do offer extra help after school for students who may need it, and it’s up to them whether they come in or not, but sometimes I wonder whether the issue lies with me ?
In any case, I’ll keep doing my best to help my students understand, and just ask they give their best effort in class.
So, You Think You Can Teach ESL? 
I sometimes get that with adult learners. They’ll say they understand, but then when I ask questions or attempt to have them demonstrate comprehension of the material, they can’t. I think they’re being honest when they say they understand; they have a feeling of “getting it” and this is what they’re reporting. I keep wondering if I need to stress more “using” vs. “explaining” when I present concepts to them.
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I think my students understand to a degree. The real test is when they do a project or report. I ask questions in class but sometimes students are nervous about speaking. In that case I have them do a project to demonstrate what they know. Still it is frustrating from time to time.
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Have you tried turning concepts into chants? And then making them do it with you? It can be really fun and a great way to get students to recall and comprehend a concept. I had 1st graders do this prefix chant before asking for the meaning of the word.
“re- means to do it again, and un- means the opposite!” It’s silly, but it can be very engaging.
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I teach fourth grade and chants would almost seem too low for them, I could try them at least. It I doubt my students would actually use them.
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What about with popular songs? I did an Area of a Triangle lesson with 5th graders where we sang this song.
It was annoying, but I could hear them mumbling “half it, baby,” as they worked.
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Hmmmm I’ll have to think about that, thanks!
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