Creative Final Exam Review with Stations, Choice Boards, and a Little Help from AI
What if you could plan your entire finals review week in under 30 minutes? 🙌 That’s exactly what we’re talking about today—because whether you’re prepping a final exam review for Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2, this time of year is no joke. But your review doesn’t have to be a boring packet or a lecture marathon.
In this post (and the latest podcast episode!), I’m sharing creative, low-prep strategies to help you build a meaningful, stress-free review week—with a little help from AI and your existing resources.
👉 Watch here: Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen here: In your Favorite Podcast App
Why Rethink Final Exam Review?
May is chaotic—and let’s be real, finals review often turns into:
- A giant packet of problems 📄
- Endless lectures 🗣️
- Total chaos 😵💫
But a great review doesn’t have to be overwhelming for you or boring for your students. My go-to approach? One day per topic, combining stations, choice boards, and an independent review packet to keep things structured but flexible.
1️⃣ Review Stations: Get Them Moving
Why stations work:
- Break big topics into smaller, manageable chunks
- Encourage collaboration + active learning
- Make review feel less overwhelming
🛠️ Build them fast:
- Use AI to generate 5–6 practice problems per topic
- Repurpose your warm-ups as instant task cards (grab mine here 👉 [Insert Link])
- Add QR codes for answer checks or digital reflections
Station ideas:
- Solve + Sort
- Error Analysis
- Create Your Own Problem (with ChatGPT support)
- Challenge Station 🚀
2️⃣ Choice Boards: Student-Driven Review
Why they work:
- Offer voice + choice 🎯
- Perfect for mixed-ability classes or independent work days
- Can be printed or digital
💡 Task ideas:
- Create + solve a real-world problem
- Record a short explainer video
- Make a meme about a common math mistake
- Build a Kahoot or Blooket
- Complete + reflect on 5 warm-up problems
Psst… AI can help generate full choice boards or scaffold open-ended tasks for you in seconds.
3️⃣ Independent Review Packet
Give students a master packet (paper or digital) with all key concepts. Let them:
- Work at their own pace throughout the week
- Ask questions as needed
- Use it as a safety net alongside stations + choice boards
Sample Final Exam Review Week
- Monday: Topic 1 review with stations
- Tuesday: Topic 2 review with stations/choice
- Wednesday: Topic 3 + work on packet
- Thursday: Choice board day
- Friday: Catch-up + Q&A
Final Thoughts
Finals review doesn’t have to drain your time or energy. With a bit of planning—and smart AI support—you can keep things creative, rigorous, and way less stressful.
👉 Grab your warm-up task cards + AI guide in the links above, and tag me when you give these ideas a try!
Keep breathing, keep your eye on the prize, and as always—keep it real.
