How do I empower students to check their notebooks independently, and how do I encourage them to express their opinions verbally?

This question has been lightly edited by Edutopia staff for clarity.

Hello. I am a history teacher. I have only been working for three years. I teach history to students in grades 5, 7, and 8. We work according to the old methodology—we read the text and answer questions in writing. When discussing topics, I try to use the reflection method as often as possible—verbally emphasizing the most important questions and tasks of the lesson. However, since my first year of work, I have kept the habit of checking notebooks, and all students want their notebooks to be checked. I teach not only history but also civics. I am also involved in informal education, I have a class to teach, so I can no longer devote as much time to checking notebooks. Perhaps you have some methods or advice in your practice on how I could divide my lesson management into two parts: students complete the lesson in writing and we check it orally? This would allow as many students as possible to correct their mistakes through reflection, check their own notebooks, and find out the correct answers. I would be very grateful for your advice.