How to Create Kindergarten Task Cards
Children in Kindergarten are usually ages five and six. At this age, children have difficulty following commands that are not broken up in stages. For example, if you tell a six year old to clean his room, he may become overwhelmed. Instead, you would tell him to make his bed. When that is completed, you would tell him to pick up his toys. Teachers can use this strategy in the Kindergarten classroom by creating task cards. The task cards will break up a task into steps that are easy to follow.
Instructions
-
-
1
Purchase a set of 5" x 8" index cards, or cut some cardstock rectangles of the same size. These are the cards that will contain the tasks you want the students to complete.
-
2
Write the subject in the top left hand corner of the card. If you are working on the solar system, then you would write "Solar System" in the corner. If you were working on addition, then you would write "Addition" in the top left hand corner.
-
-
3
Number the task card under the subject. This is especially important if you have more than one task card. You may want to create a station for each subject, and have one task card at each station. You can then divide the children up in to groups and have them take turns at each station to complete the tasks on the cards.
-
4
Write out your tasks in steps. Try not to make more than four steps on each task card for children at this age. A solar system task card may look like this:
1. Identify each of the planets.
2. Circle the largest planet.
3. Put a box around the planet with the most moons.
4. Discuss why it is hot on Mercury, but cold on Pluto. -
5
List the materials the students need to complete the tasks along the bottom of the task card. Children may need pencils, worksheets, crayons, scissors, or tape depending on the activity.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Some tasks may be done individually, but some may be more beneficial for the students if they are done in a group setting.
