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Task Cards

One of the keys to effectively using the Internet in the classroom is to direct student learning. It is too easy to get lost, overwhelmed or side tracked.

Creating Task Cards | Using Task Cards | Non-readers | Kindergarten Example | First Grade Example | Second Grade Example | Third Grade Example | Bookmarks| Copy & Paste
Task Cards can direct students' learning while on the Internet and they are easy to create.
Creating Task Cards

When you find a good web site that will help support your curriculum:
  1. Bookmark it. (Go to Bookmarks instructions below.)
  2. Copy & paste the address to your word processing software. (Go to Copy & Paste instructions below.)
  3. Preview the site and develop 2 or 3 questions or activities for your students to do at that site. (See example task cards.)
  4. Type the instructions in the task card format.
  5. Print, copy and cut out each task card.
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Using Task Cards
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Using Task Cards with Non-readers

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Kindergarten Example:
Objective: Recognize national symbols and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Symbols of U.S. Government
Go to the bookmark:
"Ben's Guide: Symbols of U.S. Government"
or
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/symbols/index.html

  1. Look at the various U.S. symbols.
  2. Share with your computer partner which symbols you have seen before.
  3. On the back of this card draw your own picture of your favorite U.S symbol.
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First Grade Example:
Objective: To Observe and describe plants as they grow from seeds.
Great Plant Escape
Detective Le Plant is trying to discover how a seed grows into a plant.
He needs your help to investigate the mysteries of the seed.
Go to the bookmark:
"Great Plant Escape - Is it dust, dirt, dandruff, or a seed?"
or
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case3/index.html

  1. Click through all of the screens describing seeds.
  2. Share with your computer partner one way seeds are important to us or one thing that is needed for a seed to germinate.
  3. On the back of this card, list seeds that are used for food.
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Second Grade Example:
Objective: Describe the life cycle of local plants and animals using diagrams and pictures.
Butterfly Life Cycle
Go to the bookmark:
"Butterfly and Moth Life Cycle"
Or
http://mpin.nbii.gov/insects/kidsbutterfly/life-cycle/index.html
  1. Read and look at the pictures to learn about the butterfly life cycle.
  2. Caterpillars spend most of the time eating. Why do you think that is true?
  3. What do you think is happening inside the chrysalis?
  4. On the back of this card, describe how the butterfly life cycle is different than a human's life cycle.
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Third Grade Example Example:
Objective: Identify characteristics of living things.
7 Characteristics of Living Things
Go to the bookmark:
"The Open Door Web site: Living and Non-living Things"
or
http://www.saburchill.com/chapters/chap0001.html
  1. Read the seven characteristics of living things.
  2. Try to repeat the 7 characteristics without looking at the web site.
  3. Complete the online quiz to test your knowledge.
  4. Select one of the non-living things listed below and on the back of this card list one or more of the characteristics of living things that this object possesses.
    • bicycle
    • a fire
    • airplane
    • mountain stream
    • volcano
    • automatic doors
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Bookmarks

Bookmarks let you bring a little personal organization to the chaos of the Internet. When you find a site you like and want to go back to later, then click the "Bookmarks" button on your browsers' toolbar and highlight "Add Bookmark." To retrieve a bookmarked site, simply click the "Bookmarks" button and highlight the site you want to view.

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Copy & Paste
Utilizing the Copy & Paste feature of your computer can save you a lot of time. Copying and pasting Internet addresses is essential because you may have noticed the web is not tolerant of errors. After you have found a web page that you want to use on a task card:
  1. Click and drag your mouse across the Location or Netsite line to highlight the URL (Internet address.)
  2. Click on the EDIT menu at the top of your window and select Copy. Now the URL is saved in the computer's short-term memory.
  3. Open up your word processing software.
  4. Click your mouse where you want the address and then click on the EDIT menu and select Paste.
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