10 Task Card Ideas for Middle & High School

Bellwork/Exit Slips: Have students work on one or two cards either individually or in pairs.  This is an easy and quick way to assess student understanding.

Seatwork:

• Put task cards in a container. 

• Each student will select a card, take it to his/her seat, and solve it.  Work/Answers can be recorded on notebook paper, a pre-made outline, or in a digital format. 

• When finished, students may check the answer (optional).  If you want them to self check, provide an answer key or put a QR code on each card.  Have them make corrections as needed.

• Next, students will return the card, choose a new one, and repeat the process.

• Think about your objectives for students.

Do you want all students to solve all problems?        If not, how many will you require?  

Do you want to differentiate the work?  
   If so, how?

Do you want to grade the work?

Stations/Centers: Put task card sets in different locations around the room and have students rotate from station to station as they solve problems.  

Classroom management suggestion: If students take cards to their seats to work on them it helps them remain focused.

Speed Dating: See  instructions HERE.

Note: This activity works best for questions that require work or time to think.

Scoot:

   • Lay cards out on desks. 

   • Students solve the problem at     their desk.

 • When the teacher says “scoot”, students move to the next seat and solve that problem.

• Note: This activity works best for quick answer questions.

Around the Room:

• Post cards around the room.

• Students will move around the room answering questions.  (Clipboards are nice for this activity.)

Group Work/Game Format: Turn work into a game (Jeopardy, Jigsaw Puzzles, CandyLand, etc.).  Each correct answer earns a student one play.

Back to Back Whiteboards: 

• Make two copies of each 
task card. 

• Pair students and give each 
a whiteboard, a marker, and a card (same question for each partner).

• Have students stand back to back as they write the answer on their whiteboard.

• When instructed by the teacher, the students turn to face each other and compare answers.  Provide a way for them to check that they are correct (answers in folder, on back of card, QR codes, etc.).

• Pass cards to a new pair of students and repeat the process.

• Alternate activity: The teacher displays a card with the document camera and all students solve the same problem at the same time.  This makes checking easier.

Scavenger Hunt:
• Hide task cards around the room (under desks, behind blinds, on shelves, etc.).

• Students search for the cards, and answer the questions as they find them.  Be sure to let them know how many cards there are, or how many you expect them to complete.

Review:
• Have students use task cards to study for a test or quiz.  Pull cards from several sets to create a complete review that will prepare students for the assessment.