Flash cards are simple yet extremely versatile, and they have a number of both practical and fun uses in the classroom. They encourage active learning by allowing kids to engage as they learn how to read, complete math problems, learn a new language, and much more. Below we’ve shared a list of 10 creative ideas for flash cards, including sight words, flash cards kids games, index card art ideas, and other interactive projects.
Don’t forget to download our customized Blue Summit printable sight words flash cards and use our links to find a number of other free flash cards decks that are available online, including free printable multiplication flash cards, free sign language cards, and more.
Want to get creative yourself? You can customize your own flash cards using our Blank Index Cards or Ruled Index Cards.
Flash Cards for Classroom Learning
1. Sight Words Flash Cards
Sight words are common preschool flash cards that are used to help children learn to read. They are a form of active learning that allows kids to sound out words and build sentences.
These flash cards come in all forms and sizes. You can create your own reading flash cards by simply writing one clear word on each card. There are options available to purchase online and free sight words flash cards pdfs that can be printed and cut to form a set of flash cards.
Dolch flash cards are completely free to download and print. The website contains free printable kindergarten sight words flash cards, as well as card sets for grades one, two, and three.
Free Printable Sight Words Flash Cards (Blue Summit Addition)
We designed our very own Blue Summit sight words flash cards that you can download and print for free. They include common classroom and office supply terms, such as Paper, Pencil, and of course, Larry asked for Dog to be included as well.
Words Include:
- Desk
- Work
- Classroom
- School
- Paper
- Pencil
- Pen
- Binder
- Notebook
- Staple
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Tape
-
Mail
 |
Click here to download our free flash cards! |
2. Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication Flash Cards
It can be tough to convince kids to spend time learning math equations. Make things a bit more interesting and help kids engage in active learning with addition, subtraction, and multiplication cards. They engage students in learning and help them memorize common equations. The flash card format also helps teachers and parents incorporate learning within various activities and games. You can find addition, subtraction, and multiplication flash cards online, make your own, or download and print cards from premade PDFs.
3. Sign Language Flash Cards
Sign language is a fun and practical skill for kids and adults alike. Sign language flash cards are simple and effective for helping children (and adults) learn common sign language terms.
If you are artistically inclined, you can draw individual signs on each flash card. Otherwise, there are plenty of purchasable sign language sets as well as free printable flashcards.
4. Other Flash Card Learning Opportunities
Flash cards have endless learning opportunities. You can put just about anything on them to make learning more interesting and engaging. Here are just a sampling of the other options available for using flash cards in the classroom.
- What's In My Control? flash cards (A tool to help children recognize what is inside and outside of their circle of control.)
- Emotions flash cards to help kids understand feelings
- 2D shapes flashcards
- Periodic table flash cards printable
-
Color flashcards printable
Flash Cards Kids Games
5. Flash Card Hide and Seek
Flash card hide and seek is a simple and engaging game for children who are learning with flash cards. You can use any type of flash cards for this game and change it up depending on what needs the most work, what the class is interested in, or what subject they are currently learning.
Hide flashcards around the classroom and have the kids look for them. When a flash card is found, it must be solved, whether it’s reading a word, solving a math problem, etc. You can have the flash card answered after each one is found or save them until the end. The more flash cards someone finds, the more they will need to solve. Determine some sort of reward system, such as treats, stickers, or some sort of points system.
Another option for this game is to have the children hide the flash cards themselves so that their classmates can find them. The winner of a previous game could be the one to hide them, or it could be determined by a random draw.
6. Flash Card Musical Chairs
The flash card musical chairs game is a lot like the original game with an added learning element. Arrange the right amount of chairs for each child and place a flash card on each one.
Play music and have the kids run around the chairs until the music stops, and they have to find a seat. The first person to sit down wins the round and needs to answer the flash card they sat on. To keep the focus on learning rather than pure competition, put out enough chairs for every child so that the game is about sitting down first, rather than being the last one out.
7. Fitness Flash Cards
It’s time to get moving. You can utilize flash cards to make fitness and exercise fun. Describe a simple exercise on each flash card. You can write out the exercise, draw your own, or download pre designed fitness flash cards.
Have a student choose one exercise in between lessons or before the end of class to help them stay active. You can also have a whole section dedicated to fitness, allowing each student to pick an exercise from the deck for everyone to complete one after the next. Ensure all exercises are simple and accessible to everyone in the class.
Yoga flash cards are another interesting way to keep kids active and introduce wellness. The flash cards illustrate various common yoga poses that can help increase flexibility, strength, and mindfulness.
Creative Flash Card Ideas
8. Flash Card Art Projects
Plain flash cards can be used for a number of different art projects. Get creative and provide a selection of coloring and craft supplies so that students can make their own flash card art. Each flash card can become a new mini masterpiece that can be put on display in the classroom.
Make popsicle stick stands or buy small photo stands to display the creative artwork for all to see.
source9. One Memory a Day Reflections
Use index cards to ask students to think about their day. What happened? What was memorable? What was interesting? Have prompts prepared to get them thinking about their day in new ways.
What was the weather like? What did they eat? Did they do something for the first time? Did they make a new friend? Students should write down one thing that happened each day to establish a set of flash card memories.
They can look back on the memories throughout the year and after the school year has ended. This activity creates a mini time capsule of the year to be enjoyed by students in their daily life.
10. Gratitude Flash Cards
For flash card gratitudes, have students write down one thing they are grateful for each day or at the end of each week. Store each student’s cards together, allowing them to review past gratitudes.
Give examples to them about what you're grateful for. These can be simple or complex, ranging from being thankful for your health, the lunch you ate that day, the sunny weather, etc. Encourage the student to think of something new each time rather than being grateful for the same things over and over again. The unique gratitudes will make a collection of cards that each student can read if they are feeling down, discouraged, or having a bad day.
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