Dipsticks
At a Glance
- Time: 2-4 minutes
- Prep: Minimal
- Group: Individual
- Setting: Any
- Subjects: Universal
- Energy: Medium
Purpose
"Dip in" to check understanding through varied, creative, non-traditional tasks (letters, sketches, analogies) that appeal to different learning modalities and provide alternative assessment evidence.
How It Works
- Present dipstick task (30 sec) - Choose format: letter to friend, sketch, analogy, etc.
- Complete task (2-3 min) - Students create their response in assigned format
- Quick scan (30 sec) - Teacher reviews for patterns in understanding
What to Say
Opening: "Dipstick check: Write a 3-sentence letter to a younger student explaining mitosis. Make it simple enough they'd understand."
During: "How would you explain this to someone who's never heard of it?... What's the simplest way to show you understand?"
Closing: "Your letters show me you get the concept. Tomorrow we'll build on this foundation."
Why It Works
Varied assessment formats allow students to demonstrate understanding through their preferred modality. Creative tasks reduce test anxiety while still revealing comprehension depth.
Research Connection: Multiple assessment formats provide more accurate picture of student understanding (Stiggins, 2005; Wiggins, 1998).
Teacher Tip
Keep a rotation of dipstick formats (letter, sketch, analogy, tweet, emoji sequence, one-word summary). Variety prevents boredom and reaches different learners.
Variations
Formats: Letter to friend, sketch/visual, analogy, tweet (280 char), emoji sequence, song lyrics, one-word summary • Subjects: Universal application • Ages: K-5: simpler formats (drawings); 6-12: all formats; College: discipline-specific creative formats
Online
Use digital whiteboard (sketches), Google Doc (letters), Padlet (various formats). Students submit; teacher scans quickly.
Troubleshooting
"I can't draw/write/etc": "Pick ANY format that works for you. Point is showing understanding, not artistic skill."
Extension
Gallery walk of dipstick responses. Students identify patterns in how peers explained concepts differently.
Related: Doodle Dictionary, Sketch to Stretch