Using Exit Tickets in Specials Classes

Using exit tickets in special subject areas such as Art, PE, Music, and Technology can be an effective way to gauge student understanding and inform future instruction. Exit tickets are brief tasks given to students at the end of a lesson to gauge their understanding of the material covered. They are a versatile tool that can be used in any subject area and at any grade level.

Exit tickets help teachers gather immediate feedback on student learning, allowing them to identify areas where students are excelling or struggling. This information can then be used to inform and adjust future instruction, making it more targeted and effective​ (CPE Teachers)​​ (Edutopia)​.

Research shows that well-designed exit tickets are linked to lesson objectives and focus on specific skills or concepts. They typically include a few short questions that can be multiple choice, short answer, or require a brief written response. The key to their effectiveness lies in the design of the questions, which should provide clear insights into students’ understanding without being too general​ (Improving Teaching)​.

Additionally, exit tickets can support differentiated instruction by helping teachers identify varying levels of student comprehension and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly. This can involve providing additional support to students who are struggling while offering advanced tasks to those who have mastered the content​ (Edutopia)​​ (Achieve the Core)​.

Overall, the use of exit tickets as formative assessments is a well-supported practice that enhances student learning by providing timely and actionable feedback to both students and teachers​ (CPE Teachers)​​ (Edutopia)​​ (Improving Teaching)​.

Here’s how to implement and utilize exit tickets in these contexts:

Designing Exit Tickets for Special Subjects

1. Art: Ask students to describe a technique they used or a new concept they learned during the class. For example, “What was one thing you learned about color mixing today?” or “Which element of design did you use in your artwork?”
2. PE: Focus on skills or concepts covered during the lesson. Questions might include, “What was the most challenging part of the new exercise routine?” or “Can you explain the rules of the game we played today?”
3. Music: Exit tickets can ask students to reflect on a piece they practiced or a musical concept. For instance, “What is one thing you need to practice more on your instrument?” or “How does dynamics affect the mood of a piece?”
4. Technology: Focus on new skills or troubleshooting processes. Questions could be, “What was the most useful shortcut you learned today?” or “Describe a problem you encountered and how you solved it.”

Collecting and Utilizing Data

1. Collection Methods:
   • Paper-Based: Students can write their responses on sticky notes, index cards, or small slips of paper. This method is quick and easy, especially for younger students.
   • Digital Tools: Utilize platforms like Google Forms, Padlet, or Schoology to collect responses digitally. This can be especially effective for older students and allows for easier data compilation and analysis​ (Edutopia)​​ (Achieve the Core)​.
2. Analyzing Data:
   • Sort and Categorize: Group responses into categories such as “understood,” “somewhat understood,” and “did not understand.” This helps quickly identify trends and common areas of confusion​ (CPE Teachers)​​ (Achieve the Core)​.
   • Identify Misconceptions: Look for common misunderstandings or errors in student responses. Use these insights to plan targeted interventions or review sessions​ (Achieve the Core)​.
3. Informing Instruction:
   • Immediate Adjustments: Use the data to adjust the next lesson plan. For example, if many students struggled with a particular concept, dedicate more time to reteaching it or providing additional practice.
   • Differentiated Instruction: Group students based on their understanding and provide differentiated tasks. For instance, students who have mastered a concept can work on advanced projects, while those who need more help can receive focused instruction​ (Edutopia)​​ (Achieve the Core)​.
   • Feedback: Provide individual feedback to students based on their exit ticket responses. This can help reinforce learning and guide students on areas they need to improve​ (Achieve the Core)​.

Benefits of Using Exit Tickets in Special Subjects

• Real-Time Feedback: Exit tickets provide immediate insights into student understanding, allowing teachers to make timely adjustments to their instruction.
• Student Reflection: These tickets encourage students to reflect on their learning, which can deepen their understanding and retention of new concepts.
• Informed Instruction: By regularly collecting and analyzing exit ticket data, teachers can tailor their lessons to better meet the needs of their students, ensuring that everyone progresses towards their learning goals.

Overall, exit tickets are a versatile and powerful tool for special subject area teachers, helping them to continuously improve their instructional practices and support student learning effectively.

Here are example exit ticket questions tailored for technology classes for grades K-5:

Kindergarten to Grade 2

1. Basic Computer Skills:
   • “What is one thing you learned about using the mouse today?”
   • “Can you name a part of the computer we used today?”
   • “What did you like the most about today’s computer activity?”
2. Introduction to Typing:
   • “What letter did you practice typing today?”
   • “Was it easy or hard to find the letters on the keyboard?”
3. Digital Citizenship:
   • “What is one way to stay safe online?”
   • “Can you tell me one rule we learned about using the internet?”
4. Coding Basics:
   • “What did your character do in the coding game today?”
   • “How did you make your character move?”
5. Basic Software Use:
   • “What tool did you use to draw a picture today?”
   • “Did you learn how to change colors in the drawing program?”

Grades 3 to 5

1. Advanced Typing:
   • “What is your favorite typing game we played today?”
   • “What finger do you use to type the letter ‘J’?”
2. Coding and Programming:
   • “What command did you use to make your sprite move in Scratch?”
   • “What was the hardest part of coding today, and how did you solve it?”
3. Internet Research:
   • “What was one interesting fact you found during your research?”
   • “What website did you find the most helpful today and why?”
4. Digital Presentations:
   • “What feature did you add to your slide today?”
   • “How did you make your presentation more interesting?”
5. Robotics:
   • “What did your robot do when you programmed it today?”
   • “What was the biggest challenge in building or programming your robot?”
6. Digital Citizenship:
   • “What is one thing you should never share online?”
   • “Why is it important to use kind words when communicating online?”
7. Software Skills:
   • “What new feature did you learn to use in Word/Google Docs today?”
   • “How did you format your text in today’s document?”