Keeping students engaged in their learning is one of our biggest goals as teachers. In this post, we will discuss how to keep your students engaged and excited about reading while addressing key standards. Using comprehension task cards is a great way to do this. The resources referenced in this post all align to common core literacy standards for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade. There are also free samples of each task card resource for grades 1st-3rd.
Setting Up Cards
Source: 3rd Grade Bundle
Comprehension task cards require a little prep up front, but it will be 100% worth it in the end. To set up your task cards, it works best to cut them with a paper cutter, hole punch the corner, and put them on a ring. Do this for each set of task cards to make storage, organization, and usage simple and effective.
Storing Your Cards
Source: 1st Grade Bundle
As teachers, we seem to find creative ways to store resources! My favorite way to store comprehension task cards are in these colorful photo cases and clear boxes. The task cards fit perfectly into the little, colored cases. They are transparent enough that you can see exactly what is in them, so I recommend putting the standard card on top for easy grab-and-go access. All of the cases fit seamlessly in the larger, clear photo box.
Here are Amazon affiliate links to photo box options!
Keep On-Hand for Down Time
Source: 3rd Grade Bundle
Comprehension task cards are useful to have on-hand for down time in the classroom. Somedays the schedule changes due to an event and we are left with a little extra time or a shortened class period where we don’t want to start a new lesson. Other times, we have speedy kids that get through their work early. These are the perfect times to use these task cards. They offer meaningful practice for students with their comprehension skills all while keeping them engaged.
Include Into Centers/Reading Time 2-3 Times a Week
Source: 3rd Grade Bundle
Another strategy for using comprehension task cards is to include them into your reading centers or reading block 2-3 times a week. This would also serve as an effective independent work activity during guided reading or tiered reading group time. The consistent routine of comprehension task cards is good for students, as they always know what to expect when they work on the task cards. Even though the standard addressed, story, and questions are different from set to set, the routine and procedure to complete is the same. The students will feel confident completing these independently, thus, allowing you as the teacher to work with a group or help other students at this time. Additionally, task cards are fun for students, which makes reading more enjoyable for all!
Digital Option for 1 to 1 Classrooms
Source: 2nd Grade Bundle
Another way to use comprehension task cards is digitally. The comprehension task cards now have a digital component via Google Slides and allow your students to engage with them that way. This is great for distance learning or if your school has 1 to 1 devices. This is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom. These digital task cards can be assigned via Google Classroom and Seesaw as well.
Free Samples
If you would like to try a free sample of these task cards with the first literacy standards before committing to the entire bundle, check out the links below. You will get access to both the digital and paper option, so you can truly test them out with your students.
Suggested Resources Available to You
- Kindergarten Comprehension Task Cards
- 1st Grade Comprehension Task Cards
- 2nd Grade Comprehension Task Cards
- 3rd Grade Comprehension Task Cards
- 4th Grade Comprehension Task Cards
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