While we love integrating technology into our lessons, sometimes we go low-tech. I introduced our division unit by using an anchor chart and exit slips.
I created this anchor chart to share with my students as we began the unit. They can refer to it when they need the proper vocabulary word for their written math responses. They also like to use different strategies that are listed on the chart. Doing a search on Pinterest for anchor chart is a great way to find some inspiration.
Want an easy way to assess what your students got from your lesson? Try using exit slips. Hand the student an index card or half sheet of paper and have them respond to a prompt like this:
- What are five things you learned in class today?
- Write three things you learned, two things you found interesting, and one question you have.
- What do we need to discuss in the next class?
Or you might prefer using printed ones such as these:
- My Math Class Exit Ticket from Paula Naugle
- 3-2-1 Exit Slip from Paula Naugle
- Exit Slips from Adlit.org
- Exit Slips from ReadWriteThink
- Cute Elementary Exit Slips from Mandy
Either way using exit slips is a quick and easy classroom strategy.
When I recently used them with my students at the end of a math lesson I discovered that several were struggling with division equation that are written in algebraic form. Why is it that variables unnerve them? Well, I used the information from the exit slips to teach further lessons on division where each equation was written as an algebraic expression. Several also informed me that they still needed to learn the vocabulary associated with a division problem. We started the next class with a review of my division anchor chart.
My students were required to write a sentence about their learning or ask a question on the back of their exit slip. They handed them to me on their way to lunch.
Do you use anchor charts or exit slips? Please share links in the comment section.
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