Activity
Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Activity Overview
Students complete a brief written response to demonstrate understanding before leaving class.
Grade Levels
Subject Areas
Activity Types
Detailed Example
Addition with Regrouping (Mathematics - 2nd Grade)
Materials Needed
- Exit ticket half-sheets (index cards or quarter-sheets of paper)
- Document camera to display problems
- Basket/collection box near the door
- Colored pencils for student self-assessment
Preparation
Create simple exit tickets with 2-3 questions. Include: 1) a calculation problem, 2) an application problem, and 3) a confidence rating. Make a sorting plan for quick assessment (meeting/approaching/below expectations).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Five minutes before the end of your lesson on addition with regrouping, alert students that they'll complete an exit ticket.
Display the exit ticket on the document camera and distribute paper:
Problem 1: '28 + 35 = ____' (calculation with regrouping)
Problem 2: 'Sam had 16 red marbles and 27 blue marbles. How many marbles in all?' (application)
Confidence rating: 'Circle how you feel: 😊 (I get it!), 😐 (I'm not sure), 😕 (I need help)'
Remind students to show their work, especially for the regrouping steps.
Allow 3-4 minutes for students to complete the exit ticket independently.
Have students deposit completed tickets in the collection box as they leave.
After class: Sort tickets quickly into three piles (full understanding, partial understanding, misconceptions).
Use the results to form small intervention groups for the next day and to adjust instruction.
Differentiation Strategies
For struggling learners, provide a number line or hundreds chart support. For advanced students, add a 'stretch' problem with three addends or a missing addend. Modify the question format for younger grades (drawing instead of writing, simpler problems).
Assessment Guidelines
Review exit tickets to identify students needing additional support. Note common errors to address in the next lesson. Track progress over time by keeping exit tickets in student portfolios.