Provide Instant Feedback Using Science Task Cards- Bye, Worksheets!

We all know how critical it is for our students to receive feedback on the spot, but you can’t always do that with a science worksheet!

In my early teaching years, I would sometimes assign something but wasn’t able to grade it until later that day. I would see that my students had not yet mastered the concept, and I would then have to backtrack to meet with students. If students received their paper days later, the assignment didn’t have meaning to them, except for a grade.

I realized that my students needed immediate feedback consistently to see their progress on the spot and make corrections by finding their errors when they occurred.

Feedback on the Spot

Since the test prep task cards required more analysis from my students, I had them work in pairs to discuss and discuss the problems. They would do at most four questions at a time and check in with me to see their progress. Little did I know that this would be a time-saver for me because if I took the assignment for a grade, I could grade right then and there.

If students got the answer correct, they would get a check, and if they were incorrect, I would then circle the number of the question. I would allow them to try again independently, and they would meet with me again. If they found their simple mistakes, I would put a check within the circle, and if they were still not understanding or had it incorrect, I would do a small-group intervention immediately. Students now had a purpose for their assignments and would make goals for themselves. The interactions also strengthened the trust relationship between my students and me. Interaction and trust lead to a positive culture you can have within your class.

Technology Game Feedback

Students also love to play games, and there are so many incredible technology-driven ways to allow your students to see feedback on the spot.

One of my favorite websites was using Quizizz. I would take the questions and put them in the game, and we would do a live session where everyone worked on the same question simultaneously in teams. This specific activity was Quizizz Live. Students would see the results of how they did as they answered questions. The results also gave me immediate feedback so we could address misconceptions and errors immediately. Teams would earn points for making accurate answers, and the winning team would receive a little prize at the end.

Another fun website I used was deck.toys This website has so many fun templates that you can use where students can navigate through various levels. One of my students’ favorite games on there was the Super Mario World game board. I would again screenshot the questions within the game, students worked in pairs, and they would see immediately if they got the question correct or incorrect. I would also lap around the room and check with them after every four questions, so they didn’t rush, and I could have that student interaction piece. The ideas are endless!

*Disclaimer: Remember that if you use any technology-based programs with Science Penguin materials, make sure the settings are set to private for copyright purposes.

Up and Moving

Sometimes, my students needed to get up and move to a new scenery instead of the classroom. I would take my students out in the hallway and have the task cards taped to the wall on which they were laminated. Students could use dry-erase markers to write on them as they solved the problems and would record their responses on the answer sheet. I would also lap around and check after so many answers so they knew if they were on the right track and again bring in the teacher-student interaction component.

I suggest laminating two different sets of questions as students could go to any card. Making the time to have two sets allowed less time for students to wait for another pair to finish a card. I always mentioned that the lower numbers were the more straightforward questions, and as they got through the higher numbers, they were the most difficult questions. Did we finish all the cards each time? No. But, telling your students or making cards where they get a little of each type of level of questioning exposed them to the needs of the activity.