Flashcards can be a tremendous memorization tool but they can also be a tremendous headache if not organized methodically. Here’s a little math problem to put that into perspective: You’re a teacher with 30 students and each student has a set of 30 flashcards. If you do the math 30 X 30 = 1 BIG disaster if your students don’t have a system to keep track of their cards. Here are 9 helpful ways I’ve used to help my students organize their flashcards.
- Around your neck: Sometimes I’ll let my students make fun little sleeves to store their flashcards in that hang around their neck. They just fold and staple a piece of paper together and tie some yarn or ribbon onto it. This works especially well for those forgetful students when you assign flashcards for homework!
- Make a flip-book: Just line up the cards and staple the sides. You can even make a little cover with a title and their name on it. This method ensures there will be no loose cards making their way around the classroom or into students’ desks and lockers.
- In a folder: I made this folder out of a piece of paper from the recycle bin and labeled one side with “know” and the other side with “learned”.
- In a bin with clips: With some classes, asking students to store their own flashcards in their desk is asking for trouble! To solve this you can have students put a clip on their cards and store them all in a class flashcard bin.Just make sure you remind students to write their name on them if it’s important they get the same cards back.
- In a notebook with an index card for a sleeve: I love this method! My students have notebooks, or sections in their notebooks for different subjects. They can keep their cards with all of their notes on that subject.
- Sports card sleeves: As a boy, I used to love storing my baseball cards in these these! I’d flip through them for hours. They allow you to see the front and back of the cards.
- In a foldable box: When I make flashcards for my students I make them the same size as baseball cards. I made a template for a fun box to store them in that students can cut out and fold. You can find both free and paid sets of flashcards for every subject with this box in my store.
- On a ring: Punch a hole in them and place them on a ring. The flashcards will need to be printed on card stock to keep them from tearing.
- Ziplock bags: I’ve found that the snack size bags work best.
