Task cards are one of my favorite classroom tools, especially in my 9th grade ELA classes. Students can go at their own pace with task cards and it’s incredibly easy to differentiate instruction by adding or removing cards for specific students. This year has provided a host of challenges when trying to use some of our tried and true teaching methods in a virtual or hybrid environment, but task cards are one strategy that I’ve been able to integrate seamlessly. Creating task cards can take a little more time up front, but the fact that I can use them no matter how I am teaching has been priceless.
What are Task Cards?
Simply put, task cards are a set of cards that students can progress through at their own pace as they complete activities on each card. They are great for small group instruction, concept reinforcement, or fast finishers.
When Should I Use Task Cards?
I’ve been using task cards mostly for grammar concepts this year, but they are incredibly flexible. You can use them for vocabulary practice, term review, plot review, etc.
How Do I Make Task Cards?
There are many ways to create task cards, but I’ve been creating them using Google Slides and Google Forms for easy integration in my learning management system. There are two easy ways to create the task cards. I’m going to provide both so you can choose what’s right for you and your students.
Method #1: Strictly Google Slides
- Create a new Google Slides presentation.
- For each slide, create a review question on the slide.
- Create one answer button for the correct answer and three for your distractors.
- Link your correct answer slide to a separate slide in the presentation that tells the students they are correct. (In that same slide, provide a link to go on to the next question.)
- Link your three distractors to a slide that tells them they were incorrect. (On the slide that tells them they are incorrect, place a button for them to return to the question.)
- Note: When creating your buttons, you want to link to the shape (I make mine square, but you can use your own preference), not the text. It gives students a larger area to click.
- Repeat the process for each question.
- If you’d like to watch the method in action, see the video below.
Method #2: Google Slides + Google Forms
- Create a new Google Slides presentation and an accompanying Google Form.
- For each slide in your presentation, create a review question on the slide. Be sure to number each question.
- Set your Google Form as a self-grading “quiz” and create space for each question with the appropriate answers marked correctly.
- Allow your students to input the answers from your Google Slides into the Google Forms quiz to check their answers.
- I tend to mostly use this method for a few reasons: One, I like the formatting and the way students can clearly see their missed questions. Two, you have a record of students completing the assignment to use for formative data. Three, the slides can be easily printed for face-to-face learning as well. (I like maximum flexibility with my teaching tools these days!)
- See below for video instructions.
Task Card Uses
In my high school ELA classes, I use task cards for multiple activities. I’ve even started teaching my students how to create them and having them make their own for their peers to practice. Below are just a few of the ways I’ve been using them.
- Vocabulary Review
- Grammar Practice
- Content Reinforcement
- Plot Review
These are just a few ways you can use digital task cards in your own class, but I’m sure you can think of many more. This tool is incredibly flexible and that is why I find it so valuable for my own classes.
If you want to see all of the task cards I have available, please click here. All of my sets come with the Google Forms/Google Slides method as well as a blank answer sheet and key for in-person instruction.
I hope this explanation was helpful and inspired you to try these task cards in your class. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram for more helpful teaching tips and tricks.
Happy teaching!
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