A quick way to check for understanding which is surprisingly effective is the five finger score.
It is only a simple test and by no means an objective measure.
At an important juncture in the lesson, ask the kids to indicate, using their fingers, (5
being the highest and best score to 1 being the lowest score) what they think about a particular concept.
For example, during a math lesson you ask the kids, “Indicate how wel you understand the formula for the area of a circle?” Kids wil put up their fingers from 1 to 5.
If you see lots of 5s, you are home and hosed. You scored another victory, you educational marvel, you!