3 Ways to Use Self-Checking Activities in Your Math Classroom

Ways to Use Self-Checking Activities

1. Each student completes it on their own.

Revolutionary, I KNOW! Just kidding. This is the most common way we assign and have students complete self-checking activities.

This is a great alternative to your standard worksheet. Each student is responsible for their own work while getting immediate feedback on their answers.

2. Each team completes the activity using ONE computer.

This is something new I tried last year and it was awesome! It requires some structure to make sure one student doesn’t take over but once set up, provides a great opportunity for collaboration!

I use teams of 3 in my classroom so I have 3 people per computer. When teams do this here are my rules:

Students have roles: reader, scribe, and calculator. The reader is in charge of putting in the answers in the computer. The scribe is in charge of showing the work and the calculator is the one USING the calculator. To clarify, all students are involved in the solving, but inputting the information in the calculator is the calculator’s job.
The computer is facing all the students. With the way the desks are oriented, I have two facing each other and one facing the middle of that pair. The computer sit in the middle so all 3 students can see the screen.

3. Make it a whiteboard (VNPS) activity

This is a variation of #2 that works fabulously if you use VNPS (vertical non-permanent surfaces). Typically when I do group whiteboard activities, each student has a role: reader, scribe, or calculator. Instead of paper questions, the reader would be in charge of reading the digital questions and entering the answers in the Google Sheet.

Learn more about using group roles in my free training, Building Effective Teams to Engage Students!

Types of Self-Checking Activities

1. Pixel Art & Mystery Puzzles

These are the most common self-checking activity since they are the easiest to create! Each time a student answers a question correctly, pieces of the picture appear.

Both Pixel Art and Mystery Puzzles are a great alternative to your standard worksheet.

2. Built-In Fast-Finisher Activities

Hands down, these are my favorite because it gives students something to do when they are done answering all of the questions.

They still have the self-checking piece where it shows if answered correctly or not. But instead of revealing pieces of an image, correct answers unlock features such as customization options, clues, letters, etc. It all depends on what type of activity you use!

The Puzzled to Pieces one is an upgrade on a mystery puzzle. Students earn puzzle pieces but they have to put them in order at the end! The Shoe Shop one on the right allows students to customize a shoe. They can choose the type of shoe, the style, the logo, and the color!

Steve Buch is the king of these so if you want to make your own, he is your guy!

3. Partner Activities

These take a little bit more set up, but are incredibly exciting for students!

✨How This Activity Works✨

Pair students up or have two groups compete against each other.
Both parties need to be on the same Google Sheet on separate devices. One student will have to share the activity with the other student.
Students race to solve 16 two step equations. Each time they answer a question correctly, the paper airplane moves closer to the finish line.
Students can answer the problems in any order!
First student or team to answer all the questions correctly, wine!