In this step-by-step post, you’ll learn how to create self checking task cards known as poke cards. For a β free DIY template β to use in your personal classroom, be sure to head to the bottom of this page!
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Years ago when I was a resource room special educator, I had Hot Dots. Ever heard of them? They were these magical electronic task cards that students would solve using a special Hot Dot pen. When students touched the tip of the pen to the correct answer, the pen lit up green and audibly gave praise: Yup! Wahoo! You got it! When students answered incorrectly, a red light would appear along with Ooops! Not it! Try again! The cards allowed students to practice independently, receive appropriate feedback immediately, and free me up to work one on one with my most struggling students.
The problem? Those suckers were expensive! Averaging $15-20 a set, most of the decks I found were for primary skills like letter identification, phonics, counting, and so forth. Then there was the issue of the actual Hot Dot pens. Batteries would die at the most inopportune time… kids would fight over which pen to use (some had special designs but all did the same job). It was a nightmare! I decided poke cards were 1000x easier. I could cut costs, tailor questions to my students’ specific learning targets, and avoid the unnecessary drama.
Creation Process – Materials Needed
Poke cards can be created with ease using computer software. Personally, I use PowerPoint because it’s easiest for me to manipulate tables, align images, and change fonts/spacing in there. Each card has a question and multiple-choice options for the answer. In addition to software, you’ll need:
- Cardstock, for printing. You can also laminate cards for added durability if that’s your thing!
- Straightedge paper cutter, for separating cards. Scissors work well, too.
- Hole punch, for creating your poke holes.
- Stickers or markers, for marking/identifying correct poke holes.
- Straw or pencil, for poking cards (student use). Keep in mind, it has to be smaller than your hole punches. To add a little spice to life, I’ve used seasonally themed party skewers and toothpicks. Keeps things fun and fancy!
Printing Process
When printing poke cards, you’ll want to do so single sided. How big or small, however, is up to you! While my free template fits 4 poke cards to a 8.5″ by 11″ page, I have printed multiple sheets per page (2 by 1, as shown below) to make them smaller. I do not suggest going smaller than that, though.
Assembly Process
With a little prep work, teachers can assemble poke cards in a matter of minutes! Here’s how:
- Once printed, use the paper cutter to separate your poke cards.
- Organize your poke cards by response. For example: create separate piles based on where the correct response is located.
- Use the hole puncher to punch poke holes at the designated area (marked with a + on the template).
- Flip the cards and place a sticker above the correct poke hole. A highlighter or pen mark works, too!
Instructions for Play
Kids love these self-checking cards! Using poke cards is super simple. Provide students with a deck of poke cards and a straw, skewer, pipe cleaner, etc. You get the idea. Students will look at the question and poke their straw through the hole of their response. To check their work, kids can flip the card over and look for the teacher marker.
Ideas for Use
Poke cards are just self checking task cards! They work for those skills you need students to practice but do not have the time to sit and check regularly. Examples in my TpT shop include:
- counting on
- fact fluency
- vocabulary definitions
- spelling
- matching (colors, numbers, letters, and more)
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Download your free poke card template below. This DIY resource can be used at any grade level; just add your own images and text!
