I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about task cards, and you may have used them in your classroom. They’re such a useful and versatile tool in just about any classroom and there’s absolutely no wrong way to use them. I’ve put together a list of ideas for you to try. Not every idea will work in every classroom or with every teacher, but there’s most likely something here that will work for you!
They can work for distance learning too. See this earlier post about Boom Cards.
Ideas for using task cards
Using Task Cards at Stations or Centers – these little cards were made for stations! Here are several ways to use them in station mode.
- Set task cards set up around the room at stations. Students can rotate through them singly, in pairs, or in small groups. You can use a timer or just let students work at their own pace.
- Split the cards up by having specific topics or skills at each station. This allows for some differentiation since you can have different groups working on the particular skills that they need practice or extra help in.
- Place a small group of students at a center and give them a set of cards to work on. You can have them record their answers as a group on one answer sheet or they can each have their own sheet. You can have different groups working on different sets of cards. More easy differentiation!
More Ideas
Whole Class Instruction – a quick and easy way to use task cards is by putting one under your document camera and projecting it out for the whole group. Students can answer individually or in pairs by writing their responses on a white board.
Pull cards from all of the different units you’ve done up till that point. This makes a great review for end of the year or whenever kids need a refresher on earlier units.
Bell Ringers or Warm Ups – this idea is similar to whole class instruction, but here you’d have one or two cards shown when students enter your classroom. They can get to work on them right away in a journal or notebook. You could also give them a weekly sheet that they use for each week. Correct them as a whole class.
Small Group Instruction – Pull out a small group of students that need practice on a specific skill. Work with them as a small group by giving them 2 or 3 cards at a time. Let them complete those and then go over the answers. By having to complete a small number of cards at a time there’s likely to be less frustration.
Time Fillers – on those days or classes when you have a few spare minutes, pull out a set of task cards on some previous topics. Quiz the whole class for another great way to review.
make your own!
There are plenty of ready-made task cards online that you can purchase. You can also make your own by using editable templates.
This editable task card template pack offers a ton of possibilities! I have organized the files for ease of use dependent on your current needs. Designs include polka dots, stripes, and chevrons in multiple colors. Each file also includes a handy reference guide should you get lost!
- The pack contains 80 editable task card templates which can be manipulated to suit your needs.
- I have also included the same task card templates as PDFs to give a total of 160 task card templates. Suggestions for PDF use: print, laminate, cut. These cards can be written on – use as write on, wipe off cards.
Making the cards can be a bit time-intensive at first. But once they’re made you can use them over and over! These templates will make the job that much easier!
How do you use task cards in your classroom? We’d love to hear!
