The Benefits of Task Cards in 1st Grade

Are you using Task Cards in your 1st grade classroom?  If you do, then you already know that there are a ton of benefits.  In this post, I’ll lay out the pros and cons of using task cards for literacy and math centers in the primary grades. If you don’t, then you might be surprised at this reveal.  Number 5 is my favorite, but #3 is the most important!

What are Task Cards?

Task Cards are all about PRACTICE.  They are cards with tasks that need to be practiced.  Task cards can be literacy questions, math problems and more.  They can have any format, as well, such as  multiple choice, fill in answers, and more.  The usefulness of the cards comes when teachers want their students to practice a skill that they have been taught.  Task cards can help with mastery of difficult skills when used effectively. The tasks are usually simple in the lower grade and can become more complex as students mature and can work on their own for longer periods of time.  There are also many different ways to use Task Cards.  

Using Task Cards

To use Task Cards, you’ll need to prepare them.  Print, laminate, etc.  Then decide what supplies are needed to go with them.  Ex. Counters, Cubes, Marker, Dry Eraser and so on.  Now you need to decide how you’ll store them.  You can use a quart size zip bag, freezer bags are more durable.  You can also use a large brown or white envelope.  Finally, you can use a small craft box or school box.  These take up a bit more room, so you’ll probably want to switch the cards out as you use them.   Once they are ready, take a few minutes to explain the directions to your students and add them to your rotations.  Once you get several sets prepped, changing them out is a snap. (Perhaps, keep the task cards that are not in use in a file cabinet in a file folder since this will take up the least amount of space.)

Here are the PROS  

1.  Easy to Prep & Use

Using Task Cards in your first grade literacy or math centers is as easy as Print, Laminate, Trim (add supplies if needed such as wipe off markers, small eraser, manipulatives, etc).  Place in a bag, envelope or container and you’re set.  A quick explanation and your ready to roll!  Don’t forget to print out the recording sheet. 

2.  Great For Kids

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First graders love color and variety.  They get bored easily.  Task cards provide an alternative to worksheets with the same outcome as a worksheet.  Task cards are made for practicing skills that have already been taught. Start with small bites and move up to more time intensive cards.

3.  Accountability

Task cards in First Grade, have accountability when there is a recording sheet.  When your students are working independently in learning centers for over an hour or more per week, you need some type of accountability.  We can’t be by their side, watching the entire time, right? I like recording sheets for task cards to get that accountability.  Even if you spot check or even say your going to check them, that usually does the trick and most kids are more apt to do their best.  Believe me, I was never one to check or grade all of the center work, but I do like to think my students were actively engaged with the standards I had assigned because I held them accountable. Lots of praise given to the hard workers can get the others to take notice and work toward getting their own praise.  However… There are those students, and you know who they are… they need to be closely monitored or have a partner to help them stay on task.

4. Variety

My friend Carol has several products with Task Cards.  Here are a couple of her favorites!

Task cards come in a huge variety of skills.  On Teachers Pay Teachers, just type in the word “Task” and see what happens.  There are literally THOUSANDS of task cards on TpT.  Here’s the first grade search.  PRINTABLE First Grade Task Cards on TpT  From Reading to Science and everything in between… in every grade level.

5. Differentiated

Because there are so many task cards on the market, it is very easy to differentiate.  You can buy several levels of cards on the same skill.  This means, you can give your lower students one set, your middle students another set, and finally, your higher students a set from the next grade if necessary. This is FABULOUS news!

6.  Cost Effective

In most cases, first grade task cards are very cost effective.  Above is just a sampling of first grade task cards between $2 and $5.  Buying Bundles can be the most cost effective since sellers will  mark their bundled products down to 30% to 50% off and more.  And… there are a lot of FREE Task Cards, too.  Check them out!  I bet you find something you can use, for FREE.  Then you can decide whether using task cards in your first grade classroom is right for you.

7.  Digital Task Cards

Word Segmenting Sound Boxes Boom Cards™ – $3.00

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Over the past year and a half, teachers have come to love digital task cards.  Specifically Boom Cards™.  They are paperless, interactive and self grading.  Boom Cards are everything standard task cards are, but even better!  Check out the video above to get an idea of how they work.  Almost all of my Boom Cards™ come with Video Directions.  This is to allow the teacher to simply assign the deck and not have to stop and give directions for use.  

8.  Seasonal Task Cards

Seasons are motivating for kids.  Seasonal task cards will make your students eyes light up and they won’t be able to wait to get their hand on them.  There are also a large variety of seasonal task cards on TpT.  I usually put the cards out at the beginning of the month and leave them for the entire month or season. (changing them out as needed)  But guess what?  Kids really don’t care if it’s the right season.  They will love whatever season you put out.  For instance, if you have some darling Fall Themed task cards and it is April, put them out!  They’ll get a kick out of it while getting the skills you need for them to practice.

9.  Different Uses

Have you ever thought about using task cards as an activity instead of a learning center?  You can use them as a Scoot Activity.  That means you can lay them on the desks in any order and give each student a recording sheet.  They can randomly answer as many cards as time provides.  Write the room is a similar activity.  With this activity, you would hang the cards around your classroom.  I like to hide them a little.  You might need to take pictures of where you’ve hidden them.  I have been known to forget.  One year I found one as I was cleaning at the end of the year.   Math or Literacy Talks are wonderful activities to use with task cards, too.  Give a team or partnership a card and have them discuss how to solve it.  This gives kids an opportunity to use vocabulary you’ve taught and hear the solution from a different perspective.  They love this activity!

10. Final Thoughts

There are a lot of great things to consider when using Task Cards in your first grade classroom… but…

Here are the cons –

(1) With any learning center with pieces, there’s always that chance that something will get lost.  The good thing is, when you purchase from TpT, you can print and laminate another one… in your spare time.  JK 😂😂

(2) Sometimes kids get bored pretty quickly with a set of task cards.  That’s when I give them a few index cards and allow them to make some similar to the ones they’ve been working on.  It doesn’t always work, but it’s an easy fix if it does, so it’s definitely worth a try.

(3) I’m sure there are more, but I’m choosing to keep it positive. 😉

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Thanks for reading to the end.

Have a fantastic school year!

-Carrie