When my good friend Diana, who teaches 9th-grade AP Human Geography, lamented about she had a student line a mile long at her desk, I not only could relate, but I also had a solution! “Question tickets!” I replied. You see, whether you are teaching secondary ESL newcomers or advanced classes, one thing remains the same: some of our students are very needy.
Why Students Aren’t Independent
The truth is, many middle and high school students are afraid to fail, and they rely on teachers as their first stop for answers. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, and we need to support students in trying to problem-solve on their own. That’s where a simple resource, the question ticket, can help out.
How Question Tickets Work
Depending on the assignment students are working on, I hand out either one or two tickets.
- For difficult assignments or major grades, such as process writing or projects, I give students two tickets for the day.
- For easier daily assignments, like a short-answer response, I give students one ticket. Adjust for your students’ needs and your class size.
What Are the Benefits of Question Tickets?
✅ Encourage Independent Problem-Solving
Instead of immediately asking for help, students learn to pause and reflect, “Do I really need to use a ticket right now, or can I find the answer?” This encourages them to check their notes, reread instructions, or collaborate with peers before defaulting to the teacher. It slows them down.
✅ Build Confidence and Risk-Taking
Many of our students, regardless of language level, are afraid to “fail.” The question tickets push students to take risks on easier questions, but ask for support on harder questions. As students start trying more on their own, they build confidence. When they do use a ticket, it’s for a thoughtful, meaningful question, and a bonus for you: you get to see more authentic questions from students, which can inform any changes you may need to make to your assignment for the next year.
✅Reduce Teacher Interruptions
Limiting the number of questions students can ask cuts down on that mile-long line at your desk. You gain back valuable time for grading, emails, or simply monitoring student progress and offering timely feedback without being pulled in every direction.
I Needed a Solution for Student Independence in Writing
I dreaded independent writing days while we were working through our STAAR ECR (extended response) Unit because I was answering the same types of questions over and over, or confirming things students already knew. Something had to change.
I’ll be honest: at first, students hated them. You could see them squirm when they got stuck. They’d glance at their ticket, look at me, glance back at their ticket, and hesitate. Some even tried sneaking in a “quick question.” When that happened, I’d smile and hold out my hand for a ticket. If they didn’t hand me one, then I’d guide them back to their notebook or to a classmate for help.It took time, but eventually, students became more resourceful and confident, and I was able to monitor their writing process with a million interruptions.
It took time, but eventually, students became more resourceful and confident, and I was able to monitor their writing process with a million interruptions.
Ready to Try Question Tickets?
Whether you teach general ed, ELL, middle school, or high school, question tickets can be easily adjusted for any lesson. And because they’re editable in Canva, you can customize them to fit your classroom style.
👉 Grab your FREE editable question tickets, and join my email list for more ELL resources and ideas.
Your Turn: How Do You Build Student Independence?
How do you encourage your students to work independently before asking for help? Share your strategies in the comments. I’d love to hear what works in your classroom!
If you want more writing strategies, check out my blog here.
