You Will Find A Way - Strategizing with Sticky Notes

My first time facing a truly unbalanced class was unforgettable. Out of 21 students, 10 were on grade level and 11 were not. Some were just one grade behind, some two, and a few weren’t even close. It was chaotic, and I constantly felt torn between pushing forward for those ready to move ahead and slowing down for those who needed me the most.

I had to actualize. I had to strategize. Heavily.

Whenever I introduced a new concept, I knew without a doubt that about half of my class would catch on quickly while the other half would struggle. That’s when I used a simple but powerful system: sticky notes.

Here’s how it worked: after a lesson, I’d assign an exit ticket on the board. Most students got a yellow sticky note, but my “focus group” received a different color. I did this on purpose (though the students never knew it). I wanted a quick, visible way to check if those students were really grasping the new skill.

Of course, I looked at every sticky note, because sometimes it wasn’t the students, it was me. If a large chunk of the yellow sticky notes showed misunderstanding, that was my “Come to Jesus Moment” and reteach the whole class. But if the yellow group mostly “got it,” then I knew my focus group needed extra support.

That little stack of sticky notes gave me more than answers; it gave me direction. The next day, I could pull a small group, reteach a tough concept, or celebrate small wins with the kids who needed encouragement most. And yes, sometimes even a yellow-note student slipped through and needed reteaching, so the strategy kept me on my toes, too.

This quick check helped me serve all my students uniquely, without leaving anyone behind. It wasn’t easy. Differentiation never is. But with this system, I could meet students where they were, lift them up, and - over time, earn the title I still carry proudly: a differentiation queen.

Sticky notes made the hard work worth it.  I had to find a way, because when it’s bigger than you - You Will Find A Way.