I wanted to quickly share how much I LOVE task cards!!!
Some of the skills my kids need constant practice with are using context clues and drawing conclusions. These skills are closely related and I find that the easiest way to practice these is by using lots of short texts to practice with. Enter- task cards!
For years I have bought practice cards from the teacher supply store. I love them because they have many different uses, but they can be pricey. I recently downloaded a few sets of Rachel Lynette's task cards for only $2.75 each (I know! Great price!) and they are working beautifully! By the way, Rachel Lynette has no idea who I am, I am just all about sharing great products when I find them!!
I like to use these cards as a partner activity. I am all about changing up the room arrangement often to make things interesting, and right now I am loving this layout.
The desks are facing different directions and two central meeting areas are created in the middle of the desks. These central areas are where we meet as a whole group and then the students disperse to their desks to work. Its fabulous because they are less distracted by each other, have more space to work, and I can easily access each student. I feel like I am able to get so much more face time with each student with the desks like this. This will be my go-to layout for partner work!
I placed a card on each pair of desks and the students traveled around the room reading each card and recording their thinking. The cards are at just the right difficulty level to present a nice challenge to even my little brainiacs!
Each set comes with 32 multiple choice cards and a recording sheet. I wanted my kids to record more of their thinking than just the answer, so I created my own recording sheets to go with each set. For the drawing conclusions cards, the sheet has columns for the card number, the answer, and clues from the text. For the context clue cards, spaces are included for the card number, unknown word, definition, and clues from the text. Click on the links below the pictures if you would like your own copy of the recording sheets.
If you have ideas on how to use Rachel's task cards, link up using the link HERE!
It's amazing how tired I am tonight after a three day weekend! Time to get lazy and watch some trashy TV! Good luck to our fourth and fifth graders who are STAAR testing tomorrow!
I absolutely LOVE task cards too! I have started trying some new ways for the students to complete them. One of their favorites is a scavenger hunt. I place the cards all around the room and the students have to find them to answer the questions... FUN!!
ReplyDeleteLove Rachel's task cards! She's one of my favorite sellers on TPT. Don't worry, she doesn't know who I am either, haha. Love your blog and ideas! I would love for you to check out my April Monthly Market linky and link up!
ReplyDeleteSabra
Teaching with a Touch of Twang
Thank you so much, Sabra!! I will check out your linky!
DeleteHave a great day!
Kelly
Wow!! Well I know who you are now (and you too, Sabra!). What a wonderful surprise! Since I know longer have a classroom of my own, I really value posts from teachers who do - and I love the pictures. I know my followers will too! Thank you so much for writing this.
ReplyDeleteBTW, feel free to link up to my Time for Task Cards link-up. You have already done the work and you could win 25 sets for free.
http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2013/03/time-for-task-cards.html#
Okay, I clearly have some pinning and facebook posting to do!
-Rachel
I found you through Rachel's task card link up. I love her task cards too! Thanks for sharing about how you use them. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
Thanks, Bethany!!!
DeleteLove your recording sheets! However, I am unable to download the context clues. I keep getting an error message on that one. Drawing conclusions worked just fine.
ReplyDeleteKellie,
DeleteIf you leave me your e-mail address, I will send it to you. I'm sorry you are getting an error message!