Using Task Cards as Math Exit Tickets
Today, I’m diving into a neat trick that can help make your math classes more engaging and help you assess your students' understanding in a snap: math task cards for exit tickets. Now, if you're wondering what in the world "exit tickets" are, don't worry—I've got you covered.
Imagine this: you're wrapping up a math lesson, and you want to quickly check if your students understood the lesson before they leave. This is where exit tickets come in handy. They're like little snapshots of what your students learned in class, and they're usually super short and to the point.
So, how do you use math task cards for exit tickets? It's easier than you might think. First, you'll need to get your hands on some task cards. You can find them online (here’s a free set you can try!), make your own, or even ask other teachers if they have some to share.
Some options for using task cards as exit cards:
Print out task cards to write directly on (use white board markers or skip laminating and recycle)
Project task cards
Hand out task cards to solve on separate paper
Copy the question on the board
Hand out different task cards to each student
Once you've got your cards ready, here's what you do:
Using task cards as exit cards
1. Pick a Card, Any Card
Choose a task card that aligns with what you taught in class that day.
2. Use a Timer
Give your students a few minutes to work on the task. You can use a timer on the board or a fun classroom timer to add a bit of excitement (PS: I like to use exit card recording sheets like these).
3. Show What You Know
Once time is up, collect the cards or have students hold them up. This part is crucial because it lets you see who's grasping the concept and who might need some extra help. Another idea that I’ve personally done is having a bulletin board near the exit that the students leave their exit cards on as they leave (this works well if you are short on time and need to address any problem areas at the beginning of the next class).
4. Check-In
Glance over the cards to get a sense of how everyone did. You can quickly spot any common mistakes or areas where students are struggling.
5. Wrap It Up
Finally, use what you learned from the task cards to wrap up your lesson. If you notice a lot of students struggling with a particular question, you will want to spend a few extra minutes reviewing that concept. If you are short on time, address them at the beginning of the next class, or target the problem areas using small groups.
As you can see, using task cards as exit cards is easy! Another way to use this versatile tool in your classroom.
Have you used task cards for exiting? How did it go? Let me know in the comments!
