Exit tickets serve as a quick, formative assessment tool for educators, allowing for a rapid check of student comprehension at the conclusion of a lesson. These brief feedback forms, sometimes referred to as "exit slips" or "exit cards," are designed to be completed in under five minutes, providing teachers with immediate insight into student understanding and informing subsequent lesson planning. A variety of free, printable, and editable templates are available online, offering flexibility for teachers across different grade levels and subjects.
What is an Exit Ticket?
An exit ticket is a formative assessment tool used to check student comprehension at the end of a lesson, class period, or day. Also known as a "Ticket to Leave" or an "Exit Card," students are typically required to hand in these slips before leaving the classroom. The primary purpose is to provide an assessment of student understanding, which can help identify areas where students may need more support or where the teacher might need to adjust future instruction. While some templates are designed for quick answers, others are intended for personal reflection, both of which provide valuable feedback for educators.
The format of an exit ticket can vary widely depending on the subject, age group, and learning objective. They may be as simple as circling an image on a slip of paper or could involve a thoughtful reflection. Brevity is essential; exit tickets are not formal assignments and need to be completed quickly. Most often, they do not require long written paragraphs or difficult questions. They are meant to be quick check-ins to ensure students understand the key takeaways from the lesson.
Benefits of Using Exit Tickets
Exit tickets can indicate student progress or understanding of a concept and should inform the teacher's next steps for instruction. By reviewing these responses before the next lesson, educators can monitor student progress to check for misunderstandings, assess comprehension, or identify gaps in the lesson material. This quick check can let a teacher know whether a large portion of the class grasped the concepts of the day or whether it may be necessary to reteach the material in a different way before moving on. Using exit slips to drive lesson plans for the following day is a common and effective strategy for classroom planning and instruction.
Types of Free Exit Ticket Templates
Several platforms offer free templates for educators. These resources are often customizable and can be used across all grade levels and subjects, including English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Editable and Printable Templates
Some providers offer fully customisable templates that allow teachers to type in their own text or print them for handwritten use. These often come in both PDF and editable versions. For instance, a free editable exit ticket template may feature a colourful layout suitable for elementary, middle, or high school students. The customisable nature allows teachers to insert their own questions or prompts, making them great for daily lesson check-ins, reflections, or quick assessments.
Another free printable exit ticket template follows a simple two-question format. This streamlined approach is designed to help students articulate their thinking at the end of any lesson, giving teachers authentic feedback without adding significant grading or prep time. The template is easy to print, use, and repeat, fitting into daily classroom routines effortlessly.
Customisable Worksheet Platforms
Platforms like Storyboard That allow teachers to create and customise exit ticket worksheets. Users can add characters or items and save their work to a library for later use. These platforms often provide generic printable tickets that teachers can have on hand for any lesson. A prompt such as "I Notice / I Wonder…" or a blank exit ticket graphic organizer can be used in many situations. When creating an assignment, teachers can copy the worksheet to their account and save it as a template.
Example Prompts and Questions
When creating an exit ticket, the questions should focus on one, two, or three key themes, facts, or skills students are expected to take away from the lesson. Popular formats include the "3-2-1 style" (three things learned, two things remembered, one question remaining), simple questions, or multiple-choice formats. Some example questions include:
- What's one way you already use [concept] in your everyday life?
- What are two things you learned about [topic] today?
- How well do you think you understand [concept]? (often accompanied by images like thumbs up, side, or down)
- Two things I learned, two things I have questions about.
- Describe [concept] in your own words and draw a picture.
- What is your position on [topic]? Why do you think that?
- What score do you give yourself on your effort today?
Practical Implementation in the Classroom
Teachers can implement exit tickets by following a straightforward process. Typically, blank exit slips are distributed at the end of a lesson. The teacher might present one or two of the hardest problems from the day on the board or from a textbook review page. As students leave for their next class, specials, or lunch, they answer quickly and deposit their slips into a designated container, such as a clasp manila envelope, for easy transport.
The teacher can then review the answers, often in a brief period like a lunch break, and categorise the slips. Categories might include students who didn't understand the problems at all, those who had partial understanding, and those who knew the answers without difficulty. This categorisation helps the teacher quickly assess the overall class comprehension and plan accordingly for the next lesson.
Conclusion
Exit tickets are a valuable, low-prep formative assessment tool that can provide immediate feedback on student learning. With a variety of free, printable, and editable templates available online, UK educators can easily incorporate this strategy into their daily routines. Whether using a simple two-question format, a customisable graphic organiser, or a platform for creating unique worksheets, the key is to keep the task brief and focused on the essential learning objectives. By regularly using exit tickets, teachers can gain insights that directly inform their instruction and help ensure all students are on the path to understanding.