I think it may be possible that all teachers love post-it-notes. Do you know that I love index cards almost just as much? There are so many ways to use index cards in the classroom. These inexpensive little cards can quickly change up a lesson.
Index cards are not very pretty or fancy, but they are the perfect size for so many quick and easy classroom activities and lessons. Plus these simple little cards can quickly get your students engaged and motivated. They are so inexpensive, it is easy to keep plenty on hand.
Technology seems to get all of the attention in education. I personally love having access to technology and have been very blessed to have a classroom that is 1:1. Although there is definitely a place for using technology, I think it is still important to provide students with a wide variety of fun activities to keep them motivated and excited about learning, and sometimes, even a simple index card can generate excitement in a lesson. Here are 7 ways to use index cards in the classroom.
7 Great Ways to Use Index Cards in the Classroom
I realize that technology is all the craze in classrooms across the country. In fact, I am so proud to be a 1:1 classroom this year! I love technology, and my students love it, too! Even with all of the technology that we have available, I think it is important to provide students with a variety of fun activities to keep them motivated and excited about learning, and sometimes, even a simple index card can generate excitement in a lesson. Here are 7 ideas for using these inexpensive little cards.
1. Two Truths and a Fib.
I have used this activity for many years on the first day of school, but this is also a great way to continue to get to know one another throughout the year. It is also is a fun way to cover some of the Common Core speaking and listening standards. If you have never played this fun activity, give each student an index card and instruct her to write 2 truths about herself and 1 fib. Then let each student share all three statements with the class and call on a classmate to guess the fib. You can also use this as an after activity for a lesson by having students list 2 truths and 1 fib about a topic they just learned or read about. Let them share with a small group and have group members tell the fib about the topic. This is a great closing for a lesson or unit of study.
2. Random Name Picker
3. Student Passwords
4. Yes/NO Cards
Let each student write “Yes” on one side of an index card and “No” on the other. Use these cards as a quick wrap up to a lesson or a quick review. Call out a question related to the topic of study that has a yes or no answer. Students hold up the card to show the correct answer. You can quickly assess who understands and who may need to be pulled for small group instruction. True and false cards can also be made and used the same way.
5. Sequence Strips
6. Vocabulary Strips
Give each student an index card. Students should draw a diagonal line from the bottom left corner to the top right corner. On the top left side, students will write the vocabulary word and definition. On the bottom right side, students should draw a picture of the vocabulary word and use the word in a sentence. Just like the activity above, students can complete 3 or 4 cards and glue on a long strip of construction paper to display in the hall or on a bulletin board. This is a fun way for students to review vocabulary.
7. Reading Response Activity
