How can you assess comprehension during read-alouds?

• A. Read silently and assess comprehension only through end-of-lesson quizzes.
• B. Read aloud without asking questions or monitoring understanding.
• C. Collect quick exit tickets or responses after the read-aloud, but do not discuss during.
• D. Ask questions before, during, and after, use think-aloud strategies, and collect quick exit tickets or responses.

Answer: (D)

When measuring understanding during read-alouds, the main idea is to make thinking visible and actively check for comprehension at multiple points. Before reading, set a purpose and activate prior knowledge to prime students for what they’ll read. During the read-aloud, model your own thinking with a think-aloud, pausing to ask questions that target understanding, vocabulary, making inferences, and predictions, and invite students to respond. After reading, summarize what was learned, clarify any confusion, and gather quick evidence of understanding through exit tickets or brief responses. This combination of before, during, and after strategies provides ongoing insight into student thinking and supports immediate reteaching or discussion as needed. Relying only on end-of-lesson quizzes, not asking questions during reading, or collecting exit tickets without any discussion misses opportunities to monitor and support comprehension in real time.