Task cards allow the students to develop as independent learners, and they can be used in a number of ways in the classroom. The basic level task cards just have some tasks or questions printed on them. This turns out to be one of the effective school teacher resources when it comes to assessment and reinforcement. Task cards are also an effectual substitute for the worksheets, which the students might feel boring at times. It is not a good idea to use task cards when introducing a topic, because they are mostly meant to be used for practice and review.

The task cards, the effective teacher resources, can be used in many ways, depending on the topic. Here are some creative ways to use the task cards –

Knock Out –

This is a whole group activity. You will have to line up the students facing you.  Write the name of the students in the small piece of paper and draw out a name. Ask the question on the task card. If that student answers right, he/she gets to nudge person on their right/left. This person who got the push is out. On the other hand if the student answers wrong, he/she is out. You can keep repeating this until there is only one person left.

Fill the Bean –

In this activity, the teacher will have to arrange the students in pairs, and offer small paper cups and a few dry beans. You can ask them to pull out a task card and make them answer the question. If they get the right answer, they get to place a bean in their cup. If they answer wrong, they cannot place the bean, and it is turn of the other pair. At the end, the person with the most beans wins.

Team Task

You can divide the task into various groups, and ask a question from the task card, to a random member of the team. If that person answers right, he/she gets to pick a card from a deck of the usual face cards, and whatever number is drawn become their points.

Relay

Divide the classroom into two or three teams, and line up the students facing the board. Now pick a card and read out the task on the card. The person standing first has to run quickly to the board and write out the answer under their team name. You can then place a check next to the right answer and offer points based on the speed and precise answers. At the end, the team with most points wins.

Task cards are interactive teaching resources that helps create incredible classroom experiences. These are just a few ideas that can help you with getting your students engaged. You can make modifications as required based on the age and independence level. 

The author is an experienced teacher in Sydney. He uses various incredible teacher resources to impart knowledge to his students. Visit https://resourcesforteaching.com.au/ for more details.