Using task cards in math is a great way to engage students in learning. Not only can task cards be physical, digital task cards are also popular. Both allow you to differentiate based on student level and meet unique needs in your classroom. Like all tools, task cards can become routine when overused. Here is a fresh way to keep your supply of task cards EXCITING and ENGAGING!
What are task cards?
Task cards are a set of cards that have questions written on them. They can be for any subject, any level, and any content. I find them more engaging than worksheets. They can be placed around the room to promote movement, or as you soon will see, to engage students in friendly competition.
They can be used for individual student practice, in pairs, small groups, or whole group discussions. In short, they are flexible tools with a range of uses for your classroom learning.
How can task cards in math be used for friendly competition?
One way I love to use task cards in my classroom is when playing games. The task cards become the questions students must answer to take a turn. The best part is you can use them for ALL KINDS of fun, so the possibilities and engagement level are off the charts.
How it works:
1. Prepare answer sheets for students. I prefer using ODDS and EVENS (most task cards are numbered). A student with the ODD answer sheet will answer EVEN questions and vice versa.
2. Divide students into small groups 2 – 4 (for most games. If playing jumbo JENGA, the whole class can play together).
3. Groups should divide task cards into two piles, ODDS and EVENS.
4. The youngest player goes first by drawing a task card and answering the question. The answer is checked by an opponent with the answer key.
5. If correct, the student may roll the die, spin the spinner, or select a block (Jenga) and take their turn. If incorrect, the student loses a turn. Used task cards are placed on the bottom of the pile and may be used again if needed.
6. Play continues until there is a winner.
What games can I use?
That’s the beauty of it. Using task cards in math class allows you to pair them with any game: board games, group games, whole class games, partner games. Instead of automatically taking a turn, students must EARN the turn by answering the math task card correctly.
Check out our favorite games to use in class:
- Jenga (I use the GIANT Jenga version for whole class fun, but the mini versions for the Dollar Store work great and are cheap!)
- Sorry
- Connect 4
- Candyland
- Tic-Tac-Toe
- Chutes and Ladders
- Operation
- Trashketball
- Yahtzee
- Scrabble
- Clue
- Trouble
- Trivial Pursuit
- and on and on!
What’s your favorite game to use? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your favorite task cards and classroom games!
Check out my growing task cards for math
Designed for third to fifth grade classrooms, task cards are flexible learning tools for your classroom. Perfect for small group, independent work, or whole class activities, task cards easily allow you to differentiate your instruction to meet the diverse needs of students in your classroom.