I LOVE math task cards, but a couple years ago, I had a problem when using them. Let’s start with why I love them. I love math task cards because the word problems are already created for me, they can be saved to use year after year and they give my upper elementary students more practice with word problems. That all sounds great, right? Here was my problem! I found that math task cards were turning into work just to keep my students busy and I was telling myself it was okay because they were word problems. Can you relate? Do you really check back in on all the math task cards you are assigning to your students? It was hard for me to admit, but I knew I needed to change how I used math task cards in my classroom. Check out 5 ways I now intentionally use math task cards to make sure they are not just being used for busy work.
- Math Task Card Partner Check: Sometimes, we the teacher, are not able to check on each students task cards especially if we are using them often. So, I started having my students check their answers with one another. This way, if a student gets an answer incorrect, most likely it will be different from their partner.
- Math Task Card Problem of the Day: I love to start the day or our math block with a problem of the day and instead of searching every day for a new problem, I use task cards and intentionally choose the task card.
- Math Task Card Sorts: Deciding which operation to use can be difficult for upper elementary students. So, I started doing math word problem sorts using task cards. This works great for sorting different operations or one-step and multistep word problems!
- Small Group Task Card Check In: Many teachers think that math task cards are to be used in independent work, centers or for partner work. Yes, they can be great for all of those, BUT one of my favorite ways to use them does not include any of those times. I love to use them in small groups for small group instruction.
- Task Card Test Prep: I LOVE using task cards when it comes to test prep review, but for them to be meaningful, I realized I needed to make sure I was checking in with my students as they were completing them. So, this is when we started doing math task card review days.
Would you like to hear more about these 5 ideas and hear how you can easily implement them in your classroom? Click here to grab a FREE task card set (sets available for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade) on the 4 math operations and sign up for 5 days of implementing these task card ideas.
