Taming Those Task Cards....

Sunday, March 9, 2014 - 19 comments
I'm excited to be a part of this blog hop!  I learned so many great tips during the last blog hop and have started using several of the ideas in my room.  I can't wait to hop along and read all of the 
BRIGHT IDEAS 
this time, too!
My tip for you is about taming the beast of task cards!  I love task cards and have been on the search for a way to keep them neat and organized in my room.  I switch out my task cards about every other week and I wanted a system that would allow me to do it quickly and still keep them neat and tidy.

I found these index card holders during a "Back to School" sale last year and knew they would be the perfect size for holding the task cards that I had been using in my room.

Because I have my groups completing different activities, I needed to find a way to label each box that could also be interchangeable. To the rescue: VELCRO DOTS.  This allows for me to change the task cards inside each box quickly and I don't have to buy a million different index card holders.  (Plus, who has the room for that?)

This allows this mess
turn into something neat and tidy like this

To make the boxes interchangeable, I adhere the label (that of course has been laminated) with a Velcro dot.  I should buy stock in those little dots.
When it is time to change the contents of the box, I simply remove the label and put it and the task cards back into the plastic bag and put them away! Then, I adhere the new label right on the same box. Fast and easy!

These boxes are prefect for several different sizes of task cards, too.


When not in use, I keep all of my task cards in plastic baggies (the mess above), but then put the baggies in the corresponding magazine box that organized and labeled by skill.

Next up on the blog hop, you can check out how to use music in the classroom over at The Lesson Guide by clicking Lisa's button below.  This is one of my favorite topics and I can't wait to read her post!
The Lesson Guide
The Lesson Guide
You can also click on the links below. What are you waiting for?  Have a great time hopping along!



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19 comments

  1. KimMarch 9, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    Elizabeth:
    This is fabulous, fabulous, FABULOUS! Although I am not surprised because you are such an organized teacher. Even the labels on the boxes are perfect. I love this idea... and I hope you don't mind if I borrow it. In the meantime, I will investigate stock prices for Velcro dots... maybe we can be co-investors!
    :)

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMarch 13, 2014 at 9:48 PM

      I would love to be a co-investor with you, Kim! :)

      Delete
  2. Sara {Miss V's Busy Bees}March 9, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Where did you find your magazine holders?? Anytime I find some, they're way too $$! I love the idea of your storage solution, though. Makes it MUCH easier for the kiddos - and I'm right next to ya on the investing in velcro - I'm also going to invest in Scotch for their laminating pouches :)

    Sara
    Miss V's Busy Bees
    ventrellasara@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMarch 9, 2014 at 3:58 PM

      Those are the magazine boxes from Ikea! They are super cheap, too!

      Delete
  3. LanaMarch 9, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    What a great idea! I love that you only bought one and use it for all of them with Velcro! Great idea! I wouldn't have thought of that and would have bought 20+ of them! Lol!

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMarch 13, 2014 at 9:48 PM

      I probably would have bought more, but that's all the store had at the time :) I had to find a solution to that problem :)

      Delete
  4. KelliMarch 9, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    Loved these tips! Definitely will be a project over summer to get them organized for next year! Already pinned a few of the pictures to remind me. :)

    Kelli
    Tales of a Teacher

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  5. Stephanie @ 3rd Grade ThoughtsMarch 9, 2014 at 1:29 PM

    Love all of these ideas-- the velcro dots are genius :) Thanks so much for sharing!

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

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  6. RachelMarch 9, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    Love how you are organizing your task cards! Changing the labels with velcro is a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing this fantastic idea!
    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

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  7. KristenMarch 9, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    I loved this post Elizabeth (and I'm not surprised in the least!). How awesome that you can change this piece of storage all year long!!!

    I've long admired your magazine boxes (now that would sound creepy and strange on anything but a teaching blog, wouldn't it?) they look so uniform and organized...I really should try these!

    Thanks so much for sharing this...your pics are gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMarch 13, 2014 at 9:50 PM

      This made me laugh out loud, Kristen. And thanks for the compliment ;)

      Delete
  8. SallyMarch 9, 2014 at 7:03 PM

    This is brilliant! I've collected more than a few sets of task cards, and this is a cute, fun way for the kids to use them!

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  9. CassandraMarch 9, 2014 at 11:49 PM

    I love how you store your task cards! This is something I am struggling with too! Where do you store the recording sheet that usually goes with the task cards though? I love your idea to keep the task cards in a plastic box while your kids are using them to make sure they all stay together!

    Mrs. 3rd Grade 

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMarch 13, 2014 at 9:56 PM

      I actually don't use the recording sheets. My kids do the work on dry erase boards (copy limits). However, if I did, I'd either fold them and put them inside, or I'd store them in a pocket folder on the shelf with the boxes of task cards.

      Delete
  10. Aylin ClaahsenMarch 10, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    I store my task cards in similar little containers as well, but I LOVE the velcro label idea!!! I've been stocking up on the mini accordian files, but now I will be stocking up on velcro and those magazine boxes instead- thanks for the ideas!
    Aylin
    Learning to the Core

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  11. AnitaMarch 12, 2014 at 10:55 AM

    Thanks for sharing these tips!
    Anita
    Mrs. Bremer’s Class

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  12. Mrs. Spangler in the MiddleMarch 15, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    Hopped on over because I need all the organization tips I can get - thanks!!

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  13. Endeavors in EducationMarch 19, 2014 at 4:48 PM

    I love this idea! I can't wait to use it in my classroom! I am such a stickler for organization.
    Jen
    http://endeavorsineducation.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pam OlivieriMarch 29, 2014 at 5:21 PM

    I love new organization ideas! I baggies everywhere! Love it!

    Pam Olivieri
    www.rockinresources.com

    ReplyDelete

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