I first started using task cards when I became a resource teacher. They were a great way to quickly review topics, get the kids up and moving by playing Scoot with them, and I could have the students work independently on specific sets. When I moved to kindergarten, I used kinder task cards in center activities. And this year in fourth grade, I’m using them as a “May Do” activity and when I want to review a topic.

The Gist

• Task cards can be used in many ways: playing Scoot, a May Do independent activity, or as a review.
• I organize them in a task card bin with rubber bands and pull out the ones that match topics I’m teaching and put them in document cases. The answer sheets are kept in a binder.

I seem to find a use for task cards no matter what the grade or teaching modality. For upper grades and middle school, Scoot is a great way to introduce task cards and the game of scoot. The students learn to quickly answer the question on an answer sheet and move to the next task when they hear “scoot.” In kindergarten, I felt the directions were too complicated, so I used task cards in center activities. Many of them were the clip and answer cards, which also helped them improve fine motor skills by clipping a clothespin.

This year, I incorporate them in our May Do activities. Students can pull out a document case and work on a set of cards. They can either put their answers on an answer sheet, or take a photo of their answers with SeeSaw. I also use them in a small group or one-on-one to reteach a concept. Since I laminate them, they can write on them with their whiteboard markers. This keeps it easy and simple.

Organizing them is also pretty easy. I rubber band topics in a medium sized bin and pull them out as I need them. Answer sheets and keys are kept in a binder in the same bin. As I need the task cards, I place them in document cases and label the case. Students can then pull the bins they want to review during their independent work time.

When I need task cards to fill in a topic, I either purchase a set on TPT (Teacher Pay Teachers) if I find one that fits my needs, or create them myself if I have time, then resell them. It’s a win-win!