1. Learning progressions describe how concepts and skills build in a domain, and show the trajectory of learning along which students are expected to progress.

2. teachers must first identify and then communicate the instructional goal to students.

3. Descriptive feedback should be about the particular qualities of student learning with discussion or suggestions about what the student can do to improve.

4. Formative assessment is a process that directly engages both teachers and students. In addition to teacher feedback, when students and their peers are involved there are many more opportunities to share and receive feedback.

5. A classroom culture in which teachers and students are partners in learning should be established.  Students must feel that they are bona fide partners in the learning process. This feeling is dependent on a classroom culture characterized by a sense of trust between and among students and their teachers;

It's important that students understand the purpose of doing these, and also understand that it's ok to make mistakes.

I also found it important that the article highlighted how students should see mistakes as a natural and necessary part of the learning process. Creating a classroom culture where errors are viewed as opportunities to grow is something I strongly believe in, and this article reinforced that belief.

One technique that I really loved was the use of graphic organizers to check for understanding. Graphic organizers are not only a great way for students to visually organize their thinking, but they also give teachers immediate insight into what students are grasping and where they may need more support.