My New Addiction ---> Flipgrid

     Like many of us, I was searching for ways to connect with my class during a pandemic. Worried about how I would teach both digital and in person at the same time. Even more, as a person who loves formative assessments as a way to judge where my students are and as someone who wants to genuinely know about their students this pandemic left me scratching my head.     

    I am not one of those teachers who mandate that I see my students faces on camera during zoom sessions. I personally believe that I do not know what is going on in my students home and do not want to make them feel uncomfortable in their own home life and situation. However, because I do want to see them and hear them. That I needed something that allowed them to control the narrative and also deliver to me what I was seeking. 

    And BAM, I found this webinar online featuring Stacey Roshan speaking about Flipgrid! In this webinar she spoke about how Flipgrid allowed her to do three things:

Create a whiteboard style video, with or without your face included

Provide 1:1 attention and support to students with personalized private video feedback

Create mini-lessons with voice and handwriting

So then I was hooked! I could see my students, hear them think and give them feedback! I had to tried it.

Which brings me to this video below, which explains the number one way, I use flipgrid in my class.

If you have any questions, please comment below or reach out to me here. Also let me know if you use Flipgrid and how you use it in your class. 

Formative Assessment Probes

Formative Assessments don't have to always involve quizzes. Sometimes a nice simple probe with do and can take 10 minutes or less and they can be done anytime in the lesson. Warm-Up, Middle, or Ticket of the door.


Here is one I create for my Algebra 2 Class on word problems involving exponentials.

Discrete or Continuous

A simple 2 problem probe multiple choice and more importantly getting the kids to explain why they selected an answer and if they understand how to use a calculator properly.

Another Menu and Back 2 School..

In the wonderful State of Georgia, most teachers report back to work August 1st, so there goes my summer. I really never have 1 anyway. 19 days and counting....

I had some teachers ask me to show them another example of how to use menus to assess student learning. I am big on giving the students options as long as we can make sure all standards have been assessed. In the example I am posting now, a co-worker gives the students a quiz restaurant menu style.

They have appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. Appetizers and Salads are worth up to 5 pts. each, Entrees up to 15 pts. each, and Desserts up to 10 pts. each. The maximum for the quiz is 45 pts, so students are able to weigh the problems they feel strongly about more, but all questions must be answered.

Enjoy the file Dinner For Two and if you want to know when the blog is updated you can always follow me on twitter @ tbanks1906.

Happy Summer, or what that is left!

Been gone for a while but back with new stuff!!

My plan of updating this blog went awry and FAST! But now that I have a "60" day vacation I hope to get back on track as much as possible.

I going to a new school, have a new baby (5 weeks), and I get to teach new classes which I am excited about.

Tonight's topic involves use of menus in class. I am a big believer in giving my students options as long as my goal as the teacher is met. which is proof of the standards being mastered.

This assessment is on solving equations. There are three levels of equations all with different amounts for each problem. Appetizers are 1 dollar, Side Items are 2 dollars, and Entrées are 5 dollars. The students have to do one of each and spend all 40 dollars. This allows the students to pick the problems they want but also forces them to try 2-step equations as well. Hope you enjoy feel free to leave any comments or questions!

Menu - Solving Equations