Show Me What You Know: Rethinking Reading Comprehension Assessment

How do we really know when a student understands what they have read? And what happens when the task we use to assess comprehension gets in the way of the thinking we’re trying to see? In this practical session, educators will rethink both the questions we ask and the ways we invite students to demonstrate their understanding. Explore the Question-Answer-Relationship (QAR) strategy to uncover the different thinking demands hidden within comprehension questions, then discover engaging alternatives to the traditional written response, including abstract art and artist statements, thought tracking, Wise Words, Highlighter Hunts, and Popcorn Poetry. You’ll leave with practical strategies for designing comprehension experiences that reveal more about what students understand—and give more students meaningful ways to show it.