My life was forever changed when I first googled how to use task cards. No seriously, my teaching life turned on a dime when I stumbled upon the gem of task cards and how to use them in my middle school classroom. I was in my first year of teaching and my 6th graders were going stir crazy in my 90-minute math block. I felt like I had tried everything to keep students engaged and practicing without the chaos that middle schoolers are amazing at bringing to any situation. But that’s where task cards came to play!
If you’ve never heard of task cards before they are essentially slips of paper (usually printed 4 to a page) that have some sort of content on them. These can have math problems, vocabulary words, literacy questions, science and social studies information, the possibilities are endless. Similar to flashcards but without the answers. However, they can be used in so many ways and are much more exciting than another worksheet.
How to Use Task Cards
Elementary or middle school math task cards can be pretty easy to find with a quick google or Teachers Pay Teachers search. I initially tried out free downloads to see how well I’d like them before purchasing a whole set. They are also pretty easy to make if you need to throw some together on the fly. Simply divide a piece of paper into 4 and write a problem in each box then cut apart. This is made easier if you have a worksheet or textbook to pull problems from. I’ve used the end-of-section social studies questions, literacy multiple choice and short answer questions over our novel. Math problems, and even science lab discussion questions are other great options. There are so many places to find questions to turn into cards. And they are more engaging than another boring worksheet.
Task cards can sometimes get a bad rep for the amount of prep they can take to make. However, printing and laminating don’t take much time, especially with a personal laminator like the one I use. I’m a task card planner so I usually batch prep sets over the summer so that during the school year I can just grab and go. If you aren’t able to laminate, that’s ok! I used problems written on index cards my first few times of using them and these games to play with task cards still work!
Most sets come with a task card recording sheet which is simply a place for students to show their work or write their answers. This is a great way to hold students accountable for their learning. I also use the recording sheet as a formative assessment to gauge what students know and need additional practice on. My friend Jennifer over at Teaching as We Speak shares all about using task card recording sheets in different ways. If I’m short on copies though, I will have students make a recording sheet in their notebook to fill in.
When using task cards I sometimes require students to work independently so that they can show what they know. Other times I let students work in partners or groups to answer questions. I prefer a more collaborative nature to my classroom so students are working together more often than not.
Now task cards can be used in so. Many. ways. Like probably a hundred different options when it comes to when, where, and how to use t in the classroom. I’ve tried to be creative with my round-up of games to play with task cards. But if you have different ideas, drop them in the comments!
Games to Play with Task Cards
Like I mentioned earlier, there are so many uses for a set of task cards. I like using them in small groups during my math learning centers as either teacher table practice or as independent practice. I also use digital task cards to offer practice at my technology station. However, I get the most engagement from students when I find games to play with task cards. These games require little prep to set up. But if you are a task card planner, go for more elaborate games! These ideas are all ones I have used with both elementary and middle school math task cards.
#1: Scoot
This is an OG task card game that my students 3rd-6th love! Simply set out a card at each desk, give students a task card recording sheet, and begin. I usually set a timer for about 2 minutes (depending on the rigor of the content) and when the timer goes off, I say ‘Scoot!’ and then students move to the next desk. This game gets students moving often while still practicing what they are learning. If the weather is nice, I’ll take students outside to play scoot with either writing the problems on the sidewalk or just putting the cards on the ground. Sidewalk squares function like desks in this case.
#2: Scavenger Hunts
Similar to scoot, scavenger hunts get students up and moving around the room. Before class, I will scatter the cards all around the room. Taping them up on the walls, posting some in the hallway, or hiding them keeps students solving and looking for the next card. You can get creative with how difficult you hide them. One time I put them in easter eggs for students to find and solve. I hand students a clipboard for their recording sheet and set them off on their scavenger hunt adventure. This is another game option for outside as you can tape them on the outside walls, fences, or put them on the sidewalk. I prefer scavenger hunts over Scoot because this version isn’t timed and students can work at their own pace. I will usually include a few challenge task cards for early finishers to find and solve.
#3: Jeopardy Style
This is a low prep, whole group review game option that I love playing before a test. I will simply take a variety of task cards from the topics we have learned about (freebie sets of task cards work great for this) and tape them to my whiteboard in a grid. I will sometimes sort by topic at the top. But more often I will just assign a point value to a column for students to choose from. Then split your class into groups, and have fun! Be sure to leave a card or 2 for the final round!
#4: White Board Practice
If printing, cutting, and laminating are too much prep (which I get) another way to use task cards is projected on your board. I will simply download the pdf and zoom in on 1 card. The whole class then solves on their whiteboard and shows me the answer. I point and say yes to those who get it. While this idea isn’t necessarily a game, some students will turn it into one. I let students keep trying on the problems until they get it correct. If possible, I try to find a set of cards that has a mix of word problems and algorithm types so that I can zoom in on 2 cards (one of each) which is great for differentiation. I like having this option for a time filler if a lesson is shorter or as practice before a quiz.
#5: Game Boards
Put your indoor recess games to use with this task card idea. I will have a few sets of task cards and different games like checkers, Candyland, or connect 4. Students have to answer a task card before taking their turn. This is a good option for shorter problems so that the game keeps moving along. It’s also easy to differentiate for students in this option because you can assign different partners a different set of cards. For example, some students can be working on 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication and other students multiplying 2 by 2 digits. All students are getting practice with what they need while still playing board games.
Other Ideas for How to Use Task Cards
In addition to the games I shared, be sure to check out these other resources for even more games to play with task cards.
5 Different Ways to Use Task Cards (fun whole group games I want to try!)
31 Terrific Ways to use Task Cards with your Students (favorites include ways to use in small groups)
10 Ways to Use Task Cards in Your Classroom (middle school math task cards more specifically but these ideas could be used in upper elementary too)
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