Reading Task Cards: An alternative to the classic worksheet

If your students are anything like my 3rd graders, they're always on the move! It's hard to get all of my students seated and focused on worksheets all day long! So instead, we use task cards. I know there are many ways to use task cards in a classroom so in this blog post, I'm going to share how I use them in my classroom. 

Where do the task cards go?

I like to hang the actual task cards all around my classroom. I use scotch tape and walk in a circle around the room, hanging them at student eye level. Sometimes I keep them in number order and sometimes I mix up the order to keep my kiddos on their toes! I tell my students it doesn't matter what order they complete the task cards in so it doesn't really matter what order they're hung up in either!

Where do students write their answers?

I have two ways that I have students fill in their answer sheet and I choose based on the length of their potential answers. 

1. Most often, I use an app called Seesaw so my students can record their answers on their iPads. We're fortunate enough to be 1-to-1 with iPads in my classroom so this works for me. On Seesaw, I upload the image of the answer sheet and students insert text boxes or circle answers right on their iPad as they walk around to the task cards. {If you'd like more information about Seesaw, check out my posts about Seesaw or send me an email!}

2. If students need to write longer answers that might be hard to do on their iPad, I print paper copies of the answer sheet. My students grab a clipboard and carry that as they walk around to the task cards. This would work for all of your answer sheets if you don't have devices for students to use too!

Why bother with task cards?

My main reason for using task cards is to get my students up and moving as they work. They're more engaged in the activity and it almost seems like fun to be walking around the room! My kiddos get excited when they come in the classroom and see new task cards hanging on the wall! We use task cards so often that sometimes we have 2-3 sets for different skills hanging up! {Don't worry - they look different so kids can tell them apart!}

Where can I find task cards?

A lot of teacher authors sell task cards on Teachers Pay Teachers. I'm one of those teachers too! Check out my task card bundle in my TPT shop! But you can also make them yourself in Powerpoint or Google Slides. Just use a combination of shapes, tables, and text boxes to create the task cards you need and the answer sheet and you're good to go!

If you have any questions or want to chat more about task cards, reach out! I'd love to follow up!