Robert Marzano Suggests Ideas for Exit Tickets

(Originally titled “The Many Uses of Exit Slips”

In this Educational Leadership article, author/consultant Robert Marzano lists four types of prompts for exit slips given at the end of a class:

• Prompts to check for understanding – The teacher might ask students, “What are you most confused about regarding what we did in class today?” The slips might lead the teacher to re-teach a particular concept, break students into groups for help in different areas, and perhaps use expert students to run some of the groups.

• Prompts to promote reflection – The teacher might ask students, “How hard did you work today and why?” or “What could you have done today to help yourself learn better?” and then follow up accordingly.

• Prompts on instructional strategies – For example, “How did the group work today help you understand the content? What are some things you’d like to see during group work in the future?” 

• General teaching suggestions – For example, “What is something I should be doing to improve your understanding of the content?” Marzano says this sends an important message to students – “that everyone is a learner, even the teacher – and that there’s no shame in admitting you’re not doing well at something and seeking help.”

“The Many Uses of Exit Slips” by Robert Marzano in Educational Leadership, October 2012 (Vol. 70, #2, p. 80-81), www.ascd.org

 From the Marshall Memo #456