Use this when the skill is new, shaky, or likely to fall apart if the page gets crowded. It keeps the problem count low and the workspace generous so students can show steps, stay organized, and finish without getting buried. Good for classwork, intervention, and send-home practice when you cannot assume a teacher is right there to rescue the page.

Use this after teaching when you want to see whether students can do the skill on their own in a short set. It stays brief enough for an exit ticket, fast class check, or short digital assignment, but it does not strip away so much structure that the worksheet stops being usable. Good when you want a quick read, not a marathon.

Use this when students need more reps, review, or extra mileage after the strategy itself is already understood. It raises the count and tightens the page, so it works best after students have a foothold. Not the first page you hand a shaky learner, and not the preset that should quietly become everybody's default.