If you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE me some task cards! 💛 They are such an easy and engaging way to give students skill-specific practice that is NOT just another worksheet.
Task cards can be used in so many ways, so I wanted to share with you some ideas about ALL the many different ways you can use Math Task Cards in your classroom. And yes, even virtually! 🖥
1. Math Center/Station: If you have any type of Math rotation in your classroom, these are a great Math center for whichever unit you are working on. This also works for any subject area. You might have an independent practice math center or an area in your classroom where students work with a partner. Students can discuss the problem together, or work on the same problem and then compare answers.
2. Math Journal 📓: All of these math task cards are black and white. Not only does this save ink, but it also gives you a more diverse way to use these. You can introduce a new concept by first thinking through the problem and exploring ways you might solve it. You can also have students share the different strategies to solve the same problem. For example, with division some students find it easier to use repeated subtraction, while others may use an area model. Using journal problems in your regular instruction helps to build a deeper understanding of math concepts. It also helps build student confidence knowing there is more than one way to solve a problem.
You can save even more paper by having students write their answers inside their math notebook rather than using the answer sheet. You could also simple display the problem using your document camera (or even the Google Slides) and have students respond in their notebook as a daily warm-up or review activity.
3. Small Group Instruction: These are great for use in small groups to tackle specific skills. If students are already struggling with certain math skills and concepts, then focusing on one problem at a time and going deep will be very beneficial.
4. End of Unit Review: When you approach the end of a unit, these are a great way to have students get up and moving to review the concepts. You can place these on desks or in different spots around your classroom.
5. Test Prep: Whether it’s getting ready for a unit test or end of year test prep, task cards are a great way to review with partner work, rotating around the room, in a math center, and any other fun way you can think of.
6. Early Finisher Task: In my classroom, I always had several sets of task cards going at one time. Students kept the answer sheets inside their Math or Reading folder. If they finished something early, then they could go grab a set of task cards from the center area and work on them quietly at their seat.
7. Write and Wipe If you laminate the task cards, then students can use an Expo to write their answers on the cards. Or use a small whiteboard when working in small groups. When it comes to Math, students LOVE using the whiteboards and Expo Markers.
8. Walk and Solve: Many teachers (myself included) like to place these around the classroom to get their kids moving by walking and solving. You can put them on desks, have students work out a problem and then move to the next desk, rotating around the room. You can even tape them to your whiteboard, on the walls, or any other creative places you can find around the room. Give students a clipboard and let them go! 📋
The following ideas were collected from our Facebook Page shared by teachers like you!
9. Lesson Opener: Some teachers suggested using these as a lesson opener or warm up. They could use the problems to continuously review skills and standards.
10. Game: Several teachers had ideas for how to use these as a game.
“These are so great! I would first introduce them to students in a small group and then I would have them available as a hands on game for students to use to continue practicing the skill! They would also be great to help prep for tests!!” – Emily M.
“I’m a GT teacher, so hoping to use them for enrichment/acceleration. Plan on making it a contest around room to see who can get them correctly done first to win a price! Thank you. 🤗” – Kathryn C.
“I would like to use the task cards during my Math Daily 3 that I am going to implement this year. I think that the students would enjoy using the task cards with each other as a game.” -Donna S.
11. Differentiation:
“I would use them to help differentiate for my students. I teach 3-5 special education and they are all on different levels so it helps tremendously to have multiple grades.” -Bridget P.
“I would use these as an individual center activity or in my “meet with teacher” small group. This is also great to use during R.T.I. sessions.” Crystal C.
“I would us them to test the Life Skills students to see what level they are on. Modify them as needed for students’ levels.” -Marge B.
“These math task cards would be perfect during my guided math stations. I’d also hang them around the room as a way to get students actively moving during a test review. “ Eileen D.
12. Review with Dry Erase Boards: “I would use the task cards in small group to practice a new skill or whole group review and informal assessment by displaying the questions and having the students answer individually on their dry erase boards.” -Madison C.
If you’re ready to give Math Task Cards a try in your classroom, I’ve got a freebie for you! Click the link below to grab your Math Task Cards for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade.
Or if you’d like to shop the full sets and bundles:
💻The Literacy Loft Website Shop: Click here!
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💛TLL Membership: Click here!
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