​​You might think multiple-choice is just about guessing, but it’s actually a highly effective tool for assessing student learning in a clear and structured way. It allows me to assess not only what my students know, but also how they think through problems. Let’s take a closer look at why I use multiple-choice questions in my math class. Here are three solid reasons why multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are my go-to strategy for summative assessments:

  1. Easy to Grade (Yes, Please!) 
We all know time is precious – especially when you’ve got a stack of papers towering over your desk. Multiple-choice tests make grading simple. But here’s an important piece that I do differently than some: I don’t just grade them strictly by the answer choices. I often have my students show their work, which means I can still award partial credit. So, if they make a calculation error, but their thought process is nearly correct, they still earn points. This keeps things fair and gives me insight into how they’re thinking, even when they don’t land on the right answer.

2. No Blank Answers (Because Guessing ≠ Giving Up)
One of the things I love about MCQs is that they push students to at least try. Unlike open-ended questions where students might leave a big, intimidating blank space, multiple-choice offers them options to start their thinking process. It allows them to work backwards. Even if they don’t know the answer at first glance, they can use strategies like elimination or estimation to get closer. No more blank stares at the paper!

3. Real-World Test Prep
Standardized testing is a reality, whether we like it or not. Multiple-choice questions help prepare students for the kinds of assessments they’re going to face later on, like SATs, state exams, and other standardized tests. By getting familiar with the structure and strategies of MCQs early on, they build confidence. Plus, well-written MCQs don’t just test memorization–they can assess deeper thinking, requiring students to apply concepts, analyze patterns, and solve problems. So, I’m not just teaching to the test; I’m teaching them to think critically.

​In the end, multiple-choice questions are more than just an easy way out – they’re a powerful tool when done right. From making grading smoother to keeping students engaged and preparing them for real-world exams, MCQs are a staple in my math class for all the right reasons!

If you’d like to implement this in your classroom but don’t have the resources or time to create high-quality multiple-choice exams, you’re in luck! I’ve created editable multiple-choice exams for both Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 courses.

What’s included in each exam packet?
- Exam Template
- 200 Question Bank
- Question Templates - to create your own questions
- Answer Keys
*All templates are editable in Powerpoint
 
Customize with Ease: Enjoy full control over your assessment content as each question, exam, and answer is completely editable.
 
Infinite Adaptability: Create a fresh and personalized assessment experience by effortlessly generating different versions of final exams. Tailor exams to individual students or vary them from year to year, providing a versatile and evolving evaluation process.
 
Thought-Provoking Variety: Challenge your students' critical thinking skills with a rich assortment of multiple-choice questions.

• Team Up: Collaboration is key! Share assignments and solutions with your fellow teachers to lighten the load.
• Student Work: Scan and save your students' work (with permission).

Implementing the Method:
​To streamline this process, I introduced a rule: no red pens or markers during homework. This way, when it's time to check assignments, students can grab a red pen or marker, strike through wrong answers, and jot down their missteps. I grade based on completion because learning from mistakes is all part of the math process.

Checking for Homework Completion:
To avoid taking up instructional time, consider these options:

• Individual Checking: Review assignments as students leave or during class activities.
• Batch Checking: Have students show completed assignments when they turn in a quiz, to show they are on track throughout the unit.
• Unit Checks: Collect all assignments the day of a summative assessment, to ensure everyone did the prep work.

​In Conclusion:
By embracing these changes, the classroom dynamic shifted. Valuable time was saved, immediate feedback was provided, and mistakes became stepping stones to success. Projecting solutions on the board transformed the learning experience, making it engaging and interactive. This method has also made it easier for me to manage grading, ensuring timely feedback and a more productive use of class time. Give these tips a try, and watch how your classroom efficiency improves!

​Let's talk about instructional methods in math class. Every educator has their own approach, and you know what? That’s great! There's no one right way to do it! It's all about finding what works best for you and your students. Maybe you already have a method that works, maybe you’d like to tweak it, or maybe you are looking for something different. So, I want to share my journey with you – why my "old" method just wasn't cutting it, and how my "new" approach has totally transformed my classroom.

4) Increases Engagement: Guided notes provide the structure and scaffolding my students needed to really grasp the concepts. This naturally keeps students focused and actively involved.

5) Aligned to Standards: They are standards-aligned, too! Because sometimes textbooks just have too much extra stuff. That's right, I can easily adjust or create guided notes to fit whatever standards or objectives we are tackling. Flexibility at its finest.

6) Absent Students: Oh, and remember those absent students? No worries anymore. With completed notes readily available, they can catch up on what they missed without skipping a beat. It is a win-win for everyone.

7) Teach with Confidence: Last but certainly not least, this method helps me teach with confidence. I feel more organized and reassured that my students will comprehend the content I’m teaching in each lesson.

Above, I pointed out some of my favorite outcomes from using this teaching style, but the list goes on!

Do you want further information on guided notes? Here are links to articles that support the use of guided notes as a successful teaching method:

• Engaging Students with Guided Notes from the University of Michigan
• Engaging ELLs with Guided Notes
• Want to Improve the Effectiveness of Your Lectures? Try Guided Notes 
• Guided Notes: 5 Ways to Help Students Stay Focused, Engaged, and On Task

WHY have students work with a partner?
​Just like everyone wants a best friend, because life is better when it's shared with someone else, most students want to work with a partner in math class. And there are many benefits to working together:

1. Enhance Engagement: Partner activities make math lessons more interactive, engaging, and adds an element of enjoyment to math class.
2. Improve Communication Skills: Partner activities encourage students to articulate their thought processes and explain concepts to their peers.
3. Increase Confidence: Collaborative learning can boost students' confidence as they receive immediate feedback from their partners and build a sense of accomplishment together.
4. Diverse Perspectives: Partner activities expose students to different approaches and perspectives, helping them understand multiple ways to solve mathematical problems.
5. Social Skills Development: Working with a partner enhances social skills, such as teamwork, active listening, and cooperation, which are valuable both in and outside the classroom.
6. Reduce Math Anxiety: Sharing the learning experience with a partner can alleviate math anxiety, making the subject more approachable and enjoyable for students.

And on top of all the above, students are going to level up their understanding of math! And, let's face it, that's the main goal!

HOW can students work in pairs?
Of course, if you were to ask students about their ideal way of teaming up, you’d probably get responses like, "I'll do the odd-numbered problems, and my partner can do the even ones." BUT, that’s NOT at all the approach I have in mind for working in pairs.
 
You need carefully crafted activities that are set up for students to team up and tackle their own challenges. Well, you’re in luck! I have a few activities that meet this criteria. Each of them will help improve your students' math skills!

#1 My ever popular Battle My Math Ship Games! IMO this is THE BEST PARTNER ACTIVITY ever! Students take turns attacking spaces and sinking ships, just like the original game of Battleship. You can print and go or have your students play digitally. Over 100 different math concepts to choose from, so you can find the exact review for your students. Perfect to enhance engagement and reduce math anxiety!

Educator's Review: If you aren't using the Battle My Math Ship resources yet...you are ABSOLUTELY missing out. The students love the game - and it evens the playing field a bit for struggling students as there is a little luck involved. My students wish there was math battleship for every topic they study. Zero prep (make a copy) and go. – Allyson B.
Learn more about this game and find out what educators are saying HERE.

#2 Take the hassle out of checking math problems with these Partner Check review activities. These user-friendly, printable worksheets are designed to promote independent learning, reinforce math skills, and give students instant feedback. Perfect for building confidence and sharing different perspectives! You can learn more about these dynamic activities HERE.

​What educators are saying about these activities...
Wow! My students were so engaged. Each wanted to be the first to get them all right. I love the way they excitedly continued to the end, celebrating each success with fist pumps and "I rocked this!" Thanks for a great resource. – Jeana H.

I really enjoyed using this activity with my students. I like for them to work in partners to practice the skills we learn, but I find that sometimes one person does all the work while the other just copies/listens to the other. This activity was a great way for both people to be actively engaged in the process of practicing skills. – Danielle O’Haren

These "sets" are great! I love that there are several options in each pack--single student, partners, and triples! These are favorites with my students and good conversations arise when the answers are not the same. My students are enjoying this activity and I hope to have all of these in my tool box. – E.G.

#4 These Mathbook activities are designed similar to Facebook. Each sheet includes space for a student profile picture, name, date, emoji, an “I can” statement, a math problem to solve, and space for the teacher or a peer to put their profile picture and write a positive comment. Perfect for improving communication skills and social skills! You can learn more about these activities HERE.

Hey there, mathtastic educators! I'm always on the lookout for fresh ways to support you all, and guess what? Your input has sparked some fantastic ideas that I'm super excited to share. I ran a giveaway over at the Algebra and Beyond Community  where I threw in a survey to pick your brains. Turns out, there is a need for review activities that your students can work on independently, giving the ability to check answers quickly.

​Now, here's the interesting part: while the digital world is overflowing with self-check options, I noticed a gap in the PRINTABLE department. So, I put on my thinking cap, did a bit of brainstorming, and voila! I've come up with a resource that not only serves as a rock-solid review but is also self-checking. The best part? You're getting not one, not two, but THREE resources in one! Yup, handouts for individual, partner, or groups of three, each with different problems but those golden matching answers! Ready to dive in and make review a breeze? Let's do this!

Above are the results from the teacher survey. I've included the Top 5 requested resources by teachers. Other resources needed, but not listed above, include graphic organizers, assessments, guided notes, lessons, homework, and instructional videos.

These user-friendly, printable resources are designed to promote independent learning and reinforce essential math skills. They are the perfect addition to your math toolkit, ensuring that your classroom remains dynamic and adaptable to individual learning needs.
​
THREE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

1. Self-Check: Students work independently and self-check by confirming both answers in each row are the same.
2. Partner Check: Students pair up and partner check by confirming their answers for each problem number are the same.
3. Triple Check: Students work in groups of three and triple check by confirming their answers for each problem number are the same.

Included with each activity are the corresponding answers. Each activity features different math problems, guaranteeing you can make the most out of each one.

​Let's explore the versatility of these review activities and how you can seamlessly incorporate them into your classroom:

• Self-Check: in-class assignment, homework, assessment, or part of a review packet
• Partner & Triple Check: in-class practice, a way to group students, a formative assessment, or for early finishers

Suitable for both in-class and homework assignments, these self-check activities can be used in various ways. They’re perfect for reinforcing lessons, test preparation, or extra practice.

Instant Feedback: Each activity includes self-check mechanisms, allowing students to instantly assess their understanding and correct mistakes. This promotes a growth mindset by encouraging active learning and independent problem-solving.

Print-and-Go Convenience: With printable PDF format, you can easily print as many copies as needed. Simply download, print, and distribute.

Promotes Independence: These activities encourage students to take charge of their learning process. By checking their own work, students become more independent learners, encouraging a sense of responsibility.

Encourages Critical Thinking & Reflection: Self-checking activities often involve problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and reflective learning. Students are not just calculating answers but also evaluating the correctness of their solutions, promoting a deeper understanding of mathematical principles.

Flexible Learning Pace: Students can progress at their own pace with self-checking activities. Those who grasp concepts quickly can move ahead, while others may take more time to review and reinforce their understanding without feeling rushed.

Reduces Teacher Workload: With self-checking activities, teachers can focus more on guiding students and addressing individual needs rather than spending excessive time on grading. This can be especially beneficial in classrooms with limited time and resources.

​Long-Term Retention: The combination of immediate feedback, independence, and engagement contributes to better retention of mathematical concepts. Students are more likely to remember and apply what they've learned when they actively participate in the self-checking process.

Here are some reviews I've received about these activities: 

Wow! My students were so engaged. Each wanted to be the first to get them all right. I love the way they excitedly continued to the end, celebrating each success with fist pumps and "I rocked this!" Thanks for a great resource.- Jeana H.
 
I used this to keep students focused while I pulled some for small group instruction. The fact that they could check themselves without interrupting my small group made everything run smoothly. Thanks for a great resource! – Anissa F.
 
This was a great resource for my students to practice their skills of systems of equations. Students loved how they could work at their own pace and self-check!
– Ms. Novak in the Middle
 
This was a great way to provide some review of what my students learned in 5th grade. They loved working together to get the correct answers. It's much more engaging than working on their own. – Christine N.

I really enjoyed using this activity with my students. I like for them to work in partners to practice the skills we learn, but I find that sometimes one person does all the work while the other just copies/listens to the other. This activity was a great way for both people to be actively engaged in the process of practicing skills. I also like the option for having three people in a group or the option of having students work independently with the same setup! I will definitely be looking into other skills with this same Self-Checking Options. – Danielle O.