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A Manageable Approach to Math Menu Feedback

By:
CHRIS SINGLETON & ASHLEY MARLOW
 
 Published: January 8, 2026

We’ve all been there: staring at a mountain of student work from Math Menu and wondering how on earth we are supposed to give meaningful feedback on all of it.

The hard truth? You can’t. When we try to give feedback on everything, we often end up giving quality feedback on nothing. Worse, students can become "correction dependent," losing the agency that Math Menu is supposed to build. To move from "paper pusher" to "skillful facilitator," we have to be intentional.

The Golden Rule: Quality Over Quantity

Don't try to do it all. Pick just one menu item per week to provide deep, high-quality feedback on. For everything else, look for patterns of understanding rather than errors. The goal is to use your student work as a tool to progress monitor their understanding - so selecting the key piece that helps inform your instruction is always the most beneficial use of your time.

1. Shift Your Lens: Understanding vs. Accuracy

Instead of looking for "right or wrong," look for the story the paper is telling you. Ask yourself:

  • Patterns: Is there a go to strategy or model they use every time?
  • Errors: Where do you see evidence of misunderstanding or partial understanding
  • Strengths: What DOES the student understand? What CAN they do independently?

2. Tailor Your Feedback by Component

Different tasks require different types of attention. Here is a sample to consider for your Menu feedback:

Menu Item Feedback Strategy
Windowpanes Look for computation patterns. Use these to group students for tomorrow’s small group.
Problem Solvers Focus on the process. Use ALN’s Work Sort Protocol to identify the strategies and models that are being used.
Journal Prompts This is your 1:1 conversation opportunity with your student(s). Write back to honor their reasoning and mindset. Ask questions to go deeper into their understanding.
Games Give feedback in real time. Observation and "just-in-time" questioning are your best tools here. Consider a closure question at the end of math class that addresses the content in the games that students engaged with. 

 

3. Make Your Feedback Actionable

If you are going to take the time to review student work, consider…

  • Asking a "push" question ("What would happen if the number was 10 times larger?").
  • Highlight a specific move ("I love how you used the number line to jump to the nearest ten!").
  • DON'T just leave "X" marks or checks. They tell the student "I'm done," rather than "keep thinking."

4. The "4+1" Weekly Schedule

Try this rhythm to manage your time effectively:

  • 4 Days/Week: Focus on your small groups. Spend the last 5–10 minutes of Menu walking the room to give verbal, actionable feedback.
  • 1 Day/Week: Dedicated Review. Use this day to call students to your table specifically to discuss their work, ask clarifying questions, or conduct quick interviews.

    Note: We recommend using the ALN Work Sort Protocol. Instead of grading, sort papers into piles based on the strategy used. It makes planning your next small group lesson much faster!

Final Thoughts

Becoming a skillful Math Menu facilitator is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time for students to build stamina and for teachers to refine their feedback loop. Be patient with yourself.

 

what now?

To learn more about the strategies and tools discussed, explore any of the following:

  1. Check out page 3 of the ALN Developing Menu: A Continuum of Practice to see where you are on the journey from "Starting Out" to "Skillful Facilitator."
  2. Interested in having a Math Menu assistant in your pocket? Try our new Math Menu Essentials ALO monthly subscription! You'll get access to the full Math Menu Library and Courses, as well as the HLCs!
  3. Read more about encouraged feedback strategies in this ALN blog: Establishing a Feedback Culture
  4. Connect with All Learners Network to discover how we can transform instruction at your school or district!
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