If you are a follower of my TpT store, you know that I have created a number of task card sets.  One of my task card sets is lovingly called “The Early Bird…”  The Early Bird is what I like to call those students who always get finished long before the rest of the class.

Designed to keep these students learning when finished with a given task, these task cards are always available for students to work on independently while the rest of the class finishes whatever has been assigned.  Originally, that was my purpose for designing and creating so many sets.

Over the past few months, however, my uses for these cards have evolved.  Really the uses are endless, but here are just a few ways I’ve used them with my kids.

As I already stated they are great for those students who finish early.  I also use them as a center activity.  We also use the cards to play ‘Tweet-Tweet’.  For this activity, a card is placed on each student’s desk.  Students then rotate around the classroom with the included recording sheet in hand.  While at a desk, they answer the question on that task card and record it on their recording sheet.  When I say “Tweet-Tweet” they move to the next desk.

Just recently, I decided rather than moving around the room, I’d have them stay at their desk and I’d project the task card onto a screen using my Apple TV.  Students record their answer.  After a short time (usually 40 seconds or so) I put a new card up.  This method, opens up some additional possibilities…like working with a partner or in a small group.

You could also us the cards in a ‘quiz bowl’ format…project a card on a screen and have two students compete against each other.  The first student to answer correctly scores a point for their team.

I also send sets of task cards home with students for homework.  I think next year, I will create a formal parent note as well as a folder to hold the materials.  My hope is that it will make it more of a family activity as well as a ‘treat’ to get to take a set home.

Those are just a few ideas I’ve tried in my own classroom.  I’d love to hear more ideas from you!  Please share.  If you are interested in learning more about the Early Bird Task Card Sets be sure to visit my TpT Store .  And while there be sure to check out my task card FREEBIE!  It’s titled “The Early Bird Task Cards: Two Step Linear Equations”.  The set contains 24 task cards for finding mean, median, mode, range, maximum value and minimum value. Also included is a student recording sheet and an answer key.