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Why You Should Use Task Cards in Your Classroom

A deep love for task cards runs rampant in classrooms across the nation, but why are they so beneficial?  If you’re new to the task card concept, it is helpful to understand why these little gems have become so popular in recent years.

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This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure.

Benefits of Task Cards:

The true beauty lies in their versatility and focus away from traditional worksheets or boring reviews. Designed with two or four questions per page, each question is set apart on an individual card. Though each card may require a two or three-part answer.  Most task card products come with an answer sheet as well as an answer key.  I also include anchor charts (informational pages) for use as instructional aids or reference sheets in ALL of my task card products.  These anchor chart sheets are an imperative component if you plan to use them during literacy stations. They enable students to complete the tasks without help from you. benefits-of-task-cards

Task cards are also great for students who feel overwhelmed by busy, multi-question worksheets.  If you have students that require accommodations or modifications in their work, these are the perfect answer.  The idea that they are only responsible for one question at a time is motivating and manageable for students, and because it feels more like a game than work, their desire to complete the cards also increases.

Task cards are also perfect for students who benefit from tactile exercises in the classroom.  The interactive nature of the them provides students with a sensory experience that they would not receive through paper and pencil tasks alone.

Different Formats:

Task cards can be chosen for their content as well as their format.  Typically, the cards are created with multiple choice questions, short response questions, and open-ended questions.  Task card products are very popular on Teachers Pay Teachers, but they are also very easy to create without even touching a computer.  Grab some index cards, and a marker or pen, and jot down a task on each card.

Organization of Task Cards:

The easiest way to keep them organized is by punching a hole in the corner and connecting them with a loose leaf ring.  They can easily be separated and reconnected at the end of the activity.  This means, of course, that larger groups of students can share one set of cards by simply taking turns or passing them off to each other (a great way to utilize task cards with a larger is group is by playing SCOOT, which you can read about that in this post, Top 10 Task Card Activities).

Organizing multiple sets of cards is also easy when you love to shop on Amazon or Target (ahem, you’re a teacher and that makes this a nonissue).  Snatch up some tupperware bins that correspond to the size of the cards you use.  This is a perfect option for half-sheet cards.

Best of all, unlike worksheets, you can reuse task cards over and over again.  I highly recommend printing them on card stock for durability and if you’re feeling like a superhero, laminating them as well.

If you have questions, please send an email to [email protected].  Please feel free to share additional benefits of using task cards in the comments below!

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I am Kirsten Tulsian, an elementary educator with 18 years of experience as a teacher and counselor. My passion lies in empowering students to discover their inherent brilliance through the use of engaging, rigorous, and meaningful activities. I look forward to connecting with you!

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