5 Ideas for Using Your ActivExpressions Today!

ActivExpressions are easy to use, provide instant feedback and can help keep students interested and motivated. Are you a little unsure of how to use your ActivExpressions? In this post, I'll give you a few ideas that require NO prep-work for you. You can literally go in your classroom and use them right away. So here goes:

Using the Express Poll you can verbally ask a question, or even write/type it on the board, then have students send in responses.

 

1. Self-Assessments: I often have students assess their work during small group instruction. This could easily be adapted to whole group lessons. If you have a numbered rubric that you are familiar with, students can send in the number that corresponds with the rubric. Go to ExpressPoll, and click Number Question.
2. Morning Math Stretches: "How did your family use math last night?" is one common math stretch discussed in Laney Sammons' book, Guided Math. (For a flipchart with more, click here to visit my website). Simply go to ExpressPoll, click on the ABC button, and students can text in their answers. This is so much more time and space efficient than my previous way of having students write answers on the ActivBoard. Even with Dual User, it was crazy difficult for 24 students to all have a turn. 
3. Smoothing Transitions: Are your students slow during transition times? Using the text feature have students text in their name when they've gotten their items ready for the next lesson, lunch, or finished cleaning at the end of the day. Whose name will light up first, or even within the first 10?
4. Yes/No and True/False Questions:  This is found on ExpressPoll, then click on the green checkmark. Choose Y/N or T/F. Simply ask a question in any subject area. Students send in their responses.
5. Lunch count: Students can either text in their choice, or you may give each choice an option, such as A, B, C. On the ExpressPoll, choose Multiple Choice. (See below) 

 

These ideas allow you to seamlessly integrate technology into your existing lessons, with no extra work for you! As an added benefit, you have all of the data at your fingertips and don't have to worry about trying to remember it!