Fix This

See how it works

At a glance

Time in class

5–8 minutes

Prep

None. Use student answers from an exit ticket or warm-up.

Materials

Board or document camera

Grouping

Whole class

Use it when

The day after a check shows a common mistake

Why it works

Analyzing a real mistake shows students exactly where thinking goes wrong, which a polished model can’t. Starting with what’s right keeps it safe, and using a classmate’s (anonymous) work makes it feel relevant. This routine is often called “My Favorite No.”

1. CollectBefore classSort exit tickets into right and wrong. Pick one wrong answer with a common, useful mistake.
2. Show it30 secondsCopy it by hand so the handwriting isn’t recognizable.“This is my favorite no. It’s my favorite because there’s a lot right here.”
3. What’s right?1–2 minutes“Turn and talk. What did this person do well?”
4. What went wrong?1–2 minutes“Where does it go off track?”
5. Fix it1–2 minutesStudents rewrite it correctly. One shares.

See it in action

Watch out for

• Identifiable work: always rewrite it yourself.
• Skipping “what’s right”: it keeps the room safe.
• Random errors: pick the mistake many students made.

Level up

• Students plant a mistake for classmates to catch.
• Show two wrong answers and ask which is “more wrong,” and why.

Make it work for everyone

• Multilingual learners: starters: “This part is right because…” / “The mistake is…”
• IEP and 504 supports: give a printed copy to mark up.
• Early finishers: explain how to avoid the mistake next time.

Tech option

Snap a photo with a document camera, cropping out the name.

Resources