Lesson Plan
Pulse Check Session Plan
Enable students to rapidly self-assess and record mastery of target skills through quick quizzes and data recording, informing immediate instructional adjustments and celebrating progress.
This session equips students with timely feedback and empowers teachers to target interventions, ensuring each learner’s growth is tracked and celebrated in a structured small-group format.
Audience
6th Grade Small Group
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Fast-paced quizzes, real-time data logging, and reflective discussion.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Skills Snapshot Slides to ensure correct sequence
- Print and organize copies of the Pulse Data Sheet and Reflection Pulse Exit Ticket
- Set up quiz stations and materials for the Quick Quiz Carousel
- Familiarize yourself with each student’s target skills to guide mini-practice grouping
Step 1
Warm-Up & Objectives
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the Pulse Check purpose
- Display session objectives via Skills Snapshot Slides
- Explain station rotations and how to log data on the Pulse Data Sheet
- Distribute individual Pulse Data Sheets
Step 2
Quick Quiz Carousel
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs/small teams at 3–4 quiz stations
- At each station, answer 2–3 rapid questions on a target skill
- Rotate stations every 3 minutes on teacher cue
- Teacher circulates to observe and support
Step 3
Record Data
5 minutes
- Students tally correct responses at each station on the Pulse Data Sheet
- Teacher reviews entries to identify mastery patterns
- Celebrate any stations with 100% accuracy
Step 4
Skills Snapshot Review
10 minutes
- Project Skills Snapshot Slides showing class performance summary
- Discuss strong-mastery areas and skills needing growth
- Invite students to share strategies that helped
- Note intervention targets for next session
Step 5
Targeted Strategy Practice
10 minutes
- Group students by the skill area needing focus based on data
- Provide guided practice problems or strategy prompts
- Offer immediate feedback and encouragement
- Encourage students to update their Pulse Data Sheet if they notice improvement
Step 6
Reflection & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Distribute the Reflection Pulse Exit Ticket
- Students respond to prompts about their progress and next steps
- Collect exit tickets to inform upcoming instruction
- Close with positive reinforcement and preview of the next Pulse Check
Slide Deck
Progress Pulse: Session Goals & Objectives
• Understand purpose of Pulse Check: rapid skill mastery assessment
• Objectives:
– Complete quick quizzes at each station
– Log results on Pulse Data Sheet
– Identify strengths and areas for growth
– Set targets and strategies for next steps
Welcome everyone! On this slide, introduce the Progress Pulse session’s purpose and review the learning objectives. Emphasize that today’s focus is rapid self-assessment, data logging, and celebrating growth.
Quick Quiz Carousel Stations
Station 1: Reading Comprehension
– Identify main idea of a short passage
Station 2: Math Computation
– Solve two 2-digit multiplication problems
Station 3: Vocabulary Usage
– Fill in blanks with correct prefixes/suffixes
Station 4: Writing Conventions
– Correct punctuation in sample sentences
Explain how students will rotate through stations every 3 minutes. Point out that each station targets a specific skill and has 2–3 rapid-fire questions.
Steps to Record Data
- After each station, count correct answers
- Enter tally in corresponding station row on your Pulse Data Sheet
- Circle any station with 100% accuracy
- Teacher will review and note mastery patterns
Walk students through how to tally correct answers and record them on their data sheet. Stress accuracy and honesty in self-reporting.
Performance Snapshot Template
Use this chart to summarize class results:
Station | % Correct
——————————|——————
1: Reading | ____%
2: Math | ____%
3: Vocabulary | ____%
4: Writing | ____%
• Highlight stations ≥ 80% mastery
Demonstrate how to use the class performance snapshot to guide discussion. Invite a volunteer to suggest where to plot data points.
Reflection & Next Steps
Please respond to:
- Which station was easiest and why?
- Which station challenged you most and how can you improve?
- What strategy will you use for your targeted skill?
- One win I’m proud of today: ________
Prompt students to reflect on what they learned and set a target for the next Pulse Check. Collect their responses to inform Instruction.
Activity
Quick Quiz Carousel
Overview: Students will rotate through four 3-minute stations, answering 2–3 rapid-fire questions at each. They work in pairs or small teams, record answers on scratch paper, and tally correct responses on their Pulse Data Sheet.
Materials:
- Question cards for each station (pre-loaded with prompts)
- Station number signs (1–4)
- Timer or stopwatch
- Scratch paper and pencils
Rotation Protocol
- Divide into four small teams and assign each to a different station.
- Start timer for 3 minutes. Teams answer all questions at their station.
- On the teacher’s signal, rotate clockwise to the next station.
- Repeat until each team has visited all four stations.
- After final rotation, return to original seats for data recording.
Stations & Questions
Station 1: Reading Comprehension
Skill Focus: Identifying main ideas and supporting details
- Q1: Read the passage:
“Many bats use echolocation to find insects at night.”
What is the main idea? - Q2: Which sentence supports the main idea?
a) “Echolocation helps bats navigate dark caves.”
b) “Bats are mammals.”
c) “Echolocation uses sound waves.” - Q3: Name one detail that tells how echolocation works.
Station 2: Math Computation
Skill Focus: 2-digit multiplication
- Q1: 14 × 6 = ______
- Q2: 23 × 4 = ______
- Q3: 17 × 5 = ______
Station 3: Vocabulary Usage
Skill Focus: Prefixes & suffixes
- Q1: Add the prefix un- to the word “happy” and use it in a short sentence.
- Q2: Which suffix makes “joy” into a noun meaning “state of joy”?
a) –ful b) –ness c) –ly - Q3: Fill in the blank:
The glass was so _______ (break + able) that it shattered easily.
Station 4: Writing Conventions
Skill Focus: Punctuation & capitalization
- Q1: Correct the punctuation in this sentence:
“did you see the rainbow asked maria” - Q2: Identify and fix the error:
“My brother, who lives in Texas is coming to visit.” - Q3: Rewrite the following with proper commas:
“On Saturday I will go to the park buy ice cream and play soccer.”
Teacher Notes
- Circulate to confirm students stay on task and to clarify questions.
- Prompt students to work collaboratively but record their own tallies honestly.
- After rotations, guide students to transfer correct counts to their Pulse Data Sheet and circle any station with 100% accuracy.
Worksheet
Pulse Data Sheet
Use this sheet to record your results at each station. After each rotation, tally your correct answers, calculate your percentage, and note any observations or goals.
| Station | Correct Answers (out of 3) | % Correct | Circle if 100% | Notes / Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Reading Comprehension | ______ / 3 | ______% | ( ) | __________________________________________________ |
| 2: Math Computation | ______ / 3 | ______% | ( ) | __________________________________________________ |
| 3: Vocabulary Usage | ______ / 3 | ______% | ( ) | __________________________________________________ |
| 4: Writing Conventions | ______ / 3 | ______% | ( ) | __________________________________________________ |
• To calculate %: divide Correct Answers by 3, then multiply by 100.
• If you circled a station, celebrate your 100% mastery!
Overall Takeaways
What patterns do you notice across the stations? Which skills feel strong? Which need more practice?
My Target & Next Steps
Based on today’s data, which skill will you focus on next? What strategy will you use to improve?
Cool Down
Reflection Pulse Exit Ticket
Please answer the following to help plan our next steps:
-
Which station did you find easiest today and why?
-
Which station challenged you the most and how can you improve?
-
What specific strategy will you use to get better at that skill?
-
One achievement I’m proud of from today’s session:
-
My goal for our next Pulse Check: