5 Creative Ways to Use Task Cards

1.Put them on the wall- I make an answer sheet for my students to use.  Each student gets a clipboard and answer sheet and walks around the room answering questions.  My students love doing this.  I believe that it is important to incorporate movement as much as you can.  They also get to have a choice about the order they solve the problems in.  Here is an answer sheet that I use.

Even under a table!

2.Hide and Seek – I will hide the task cards around the classroom. Students have to find them and solve each problem when they find it.  Get creative with this!  They love to find them in unusual places!  

3.Solve and Shoot – I place a small empty basket or unused trash can in the floor.  After a student solves one of the task cards, they come up and check their answer using an answer key.  If they get it right, they get to try to make a basket by throwing a Koosh ball into the basket.  I place two pieces of tape on the floor.  One closer and one farther away from the goal.  If the student gets the right answer, they get to shoot closer to the goal.  If the student gets the wrong answer, they have to shoot further away.  You can assign point to each different line if you choose.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.  It just depends on the group of kids that I have.

4.Game Cards – you can use them as game cards in board games.  I have a selection of different themed game boards that they can choose from.  When it is their turn they roll the dice and choose a card.  The student works the problem, then checks his or her answer.  If the student gets it right, they get to move.  If they get it wrong, they stay where they are.

5.Small group – I also use them to reinforce skills with students that are struggling with a concept.  The students can use whiteboards to work their problems, letting me see exactly what they need and where they are making their mistakes.  Students also love to use whiteboards!!!

How do you like to use task cards?  I love finding new ideas!

Check out some of the task cards that I use!