Name: ________________

Student Interest Inventory

Welcome to 4th Grade Math!
I am so excited to have you a part of my class! Before we start
learning about new math concepts, I want to learn a little more
about you! Answer the following questions below to help Miss
Fox learn a little bit more about you!

Inside of School
What is your favorite subject?
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What is your least favorite subject?

____________________________________________________________

Where do you like to sit in the room – front, back, or middle?

____________________________________________________________

Do you like desks situated in rows, pairs, or in groups?

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Do you prefer to work in groups, pairs, or by yourself?

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Student Interest Inventory
Inside of School
How do you like to learn? Circle all that apply!

I enjoy listening to a teacher lecture or talk about a new

math concept.

I enjoy watching videos or listening to songs about a new

math concept.

I enjoy reading stories about a new math concept.

I enjoy having visuals when learning about a new math

concept.

I enjoy using manipulatives, such as base ten blocks, when

learning about a new math concept.

I enjoy using technology, such as websites like Prodigy, when

learning about a new math concept.

I enjoy working in small groups when learning about a new

math concept.

I enjoy working in a whole class setting when learning about a

new math concept.
Student Interest Inventory
Inside of School
How do you like to learn? Circle all that apply!

I enjoy playing math games, such as tic-tac-toe or board

games, or using task cards when learning about a new math
concept.

I enjoy working on projects when learning about a new math

concept.

I enjoy when my teacher guides me step-by-step through a

new math concept.

I enjoy when my teacher gives me opportunities to discover

a new math concept on my own.

I enjoy when my teacher gives me opportunities to discover

a new math concept in a small group.

I enjoy activities where I can write and explain my thinking.

I enjoy activities where I can build or create something to

explain my thinking.

I enjoy activities where I can draw to explain my thinking.

Student Interest Inventory
Inside of School
What are some of your favorite activities and memories from
math class in previous grades?
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What are your thoughts about math class? Do you enjoy it or is

it one of your least favorites? Why?
____________________________________________________________
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What can I do to help you be successful in math class this year?

____________________________________________________________
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Student Interest Inventory
Outside of School
What is your favorite activity to do outside of school?
____________________________________________________________

Do you play any sports? If so, what sports do you play?

____________________________________________________________

Are you interested in visual arts, such as drawing or painting?

____________________________________________________________

Are you interested in performing arts, such as singing, dancing,

acting, or playing a musical instrument?
____________________________________________________________

What is your favorite book to read?

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What is your favorite genre or genres to read?

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What is your favorite TV show or movie?

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What is your favorite genre or genres of TV shows or movies?

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Student Interest Inventory
Outside of School
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
____________________________________________________________
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Describe to me your perfect day! Where would you be? What

would you do?
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Is there anything you want me to know about outside of school?

____________________________________________________________
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Student Interest Inventory
Sources
Abler, R. (2017, June 14). Fire Up Your Class With Student Interest
Surveys. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/fire-up-class-student-
interest-surveys-rebecca-alber

DePasquale, J. (2017, July 21). Student Interest Survey: Getting to Know

You. Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/john-
depasquale/2017/Student-Interest-Surveys-Getting-to-Know-You/

Lynch, M. (2019, January 5). Student Interest Surveys Create Interest.

The Edvocate. https://www.theedadvocate.org/student-interest-
surveys-create-interest/

Winebrenner, S. (2012). Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom:

Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use. Free Spirit
Publishing Inc.
Student Interest Inventory
Reflection
When creating this student interest inventory, I asked a variety of
questions about the classroom environment the student works best in
and their personal interests to get a holistic view of the student. On the
first page, I asked questions about the environment students work in
best. I ask questions about the grouping of desks, the location of their
seat in the room, and whether they enjoy working in a group setting or
independently. Last year, during my first year of teaching, I had assumed
that all students enjoyed and worked most effectively sitting in a group
setting and collaborating with peers. However, to my surprise, I
discovered that a lot of my students preferred to work independently.
As I learned in CI 6060, many gifted learners enjoy working independently
in the classroom. Therefore, it's essential to understand and adjust the
classroom environment to meet each student's needs.
Pages two and three of the inventory give me an additional insight
into the learning environment that students work best in and the
learning modalities they may possess. Having students circle statements
like, "I enjoy activities where I can write and explain my thinking. I enjoy
activities where I can build or create something to explain my thinking.
Or I enjoy activities where I can draw to explain my thinking," gives me
clear insight into whether a child is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic
learner. This insight provides me with information on what activities to
include in lessons to engage learners. For example, if most of my class
are kinesthetic learners, I should include a lot of hands-on learning
experiences such as manipulatives, board games, and task cards to
engage their students in learning. Maybe I learn from my interest survey
that my classroom is an even mix of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic
learners. Therefore, I know to provide a variety of learning experiences
that meet each of my students' needs.
Student Interest Inventory
Reflection
On the fourth page, I ask students more detailed questions about
their experiences in math class. I ask questions that touch on prior
experiences in math class, what they do and don't like about math class,
and what I can do to help them succeed in the classroom. Some children
may have had a fantastic activity that they did in first-grade that has
stuck with them over the years. Learning about past activities that
they've enjoyed can inspire me to create similar learning experiences to
engage them. Their perception of math class and what I can do to help
them succeed can give me additional ideas for creating a meaningful
learning experience for that student.
Pages five and six give me insight into who the student is outside of
the classroom. I believe that it's vital to understand students as
individuals to differentiate instruction effectively. Understanding their
passions and interests, such as what sports they play and other
activities they enjoy outside of school, can give me ideas for lessons to
engage students in learning. For example, if I have a lot of students
interested in football, I can incorporate that into our place value unit.
When studying comparing and ordering numbers, we could do an NFL
themed day where we compare two football teams' attendance to see
which one has more. As a challenge, we could compile all the NFL teams'
attendance and order them from least to greatest. The same could be
done for concert attendance for students who like music or video game
points for students who enjoy playing video games. Tying students'
interests in a lesson is a fantastic way to engage them.
Overall, through this interest survey, I can gain an insight into a
student's needs for the classroom environment, learning modalities, and
personal interests. This will allow me to differentiate instruction better
and support gifted learners in the classroom.