Discover the magic of Boom Cards for making learning fun in the elementary classroom! These digital task cards can transform your teaching and engage your students like never before. This blog post will give you all the information you need to get started with Boom Cards!
What Are Boom Cards?
Boom Cards are self-checking, interactive digital task cards that can cover many different subjects and topics. They are accessible through the Boom Learning platform and can be used on various devices that are connected to the Internet, including smartboards, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Each Boom Card deck typically consists of interactive slides or digital cards presenting questions, activities, or tasks for students to complete.
Boom Cards are fun! Your elementary students will want to use this resource because it feels like a game. Students practice and reinforce important skills and really just think they are playing! These digital task cards are so easy to use that even our youngest elementary students can use them independently.
Getting Started with Boom Cards
Create an Account and Find Decks
To get started with Boom Cards, you’ll need to create at least a free teacher account on the Boom Learning website. There are paid account options that give you more features, such as data collection, but you can get started with a free account.
After you create your account, then you can find decks!
There are lots and lots of free, pre-made Boom Cards decks available. You can also explore a vast library of pre-made Boom Card decks for purchase or create your own custom decks tailored to your curriculum.
Another option that saves lots of time and money is to find bundles for your students to use. It can be very helpful to have a large library to choose from. I have lots of bundles available in my Boom Store, including two endless bundles! These bundles are an unbelievable bargain. Click the images to learn more about these great deals.
If you want to try some free decks first, I have several of those as well. In fact, you can join the Leigh’s Library Members Only Free Resource Library and find a bunch of free decks.
Once you have a deck, you can use it an endless number of times with multiple students.
Assign Decks to Students
After selecting or creating decks, you can assign them to your students. Boom Learning provides options for assigning decks individually or to the entire class.
Advantages of Using Boom Cards in Elementary Education
Interactive Learning
Boom Cards offer an interactive learning experience that is really fun for young minds. Students can drag and drop, click, or type their responses directly on the cards. This interactivity fosters engagement and helps students grasp concepts more effectively.
Immediate Feedback
One of the standout features of Boom Cards is their ability to provide instant feedback. Students receive immediate responses to their answers, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and correct misconceptions on the spot. This promotes a growth mindset and encourages active learning.
Differentiated Instruction
Boom Cards are versatile and can be easily customized to cater to individual student needs. You can assign different decks to different students based on their skill levels or learning styles. This flexibility allows for effective differentiated instruction.
Tracking Progress
Boom Learning provides detailed data on student performance. Teachers can track student progress, identify areas of improvement, and adjust their instruction accordingly. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of teaching. You will need a paid subscription to get this data-tracking option. Honestly, the low price for an entire year is definitely worth it.
Accessibility and Convenience
Boom Cards are accessible on various devices, making them convenient for both in-class and remote learning. Students can complete assignments at their own pace, fostering independent learning skills.
These digital task cards are great for centers, morning work, early finishers, and whole group instruction.
Tips for Using Boom Cards Effectively
To make the most of Boom Cards in your elementary classroom:
Start Simple: Begin with basic decks to familiarize students with the platform before moving on to more complex tasks. I like to first model how to play. I project a deck on our interactive board to show students the various features and explain how to use Boom Cards. Once students understand how to log in and how to play, they have no trouble using these digital task cards independently.
Use a Variety of Decks: Incorporate decks that cover different subjects and learning objectives to keep students engaged and expose them to a variety of skills.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage peer collaboration by assigning group activities that require students to work together.
Monitor Progress: Regularly review student performance data to identify struggling students and provide additional support as needed.
Combine with Traditional Teaching: Boom Cards work well as a supplement to traditional teaching methods. Use them to reinforce concepts taught in class. These digital task cards are great for individual practice and whole group review. My students love it when I project a deck on our interactive board and we complete a deck as a class. I call students up to the board and let them select the answer.
Helpful Links
I hope this blog post has been informative, but if you need more information, I have some for you! Below are a variety of links that will answer any questions you still have.
Quick Start Guide for Teachers
Quick Start Guide for Students and Parents
Would you like video tutorials? Boom Learning has several helpful videos on YouTube. Click here to see the playlist.
Need more help? Click here to be taken to a FAQ page on the Boom Learning site.
Do you have parents with questions? Send them here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Boom Cards are a valuable tool for elementary educators looking to enhance their teaching methods. They offer interactive, engaging, and flexible learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of young learners. By integrating Boom Cards into your classroom, you can create a dynamic learning environment that promotes student success and enthusiasm for learning. Plus, Boom Cards are a lot of fun!
Boom Learning and Boom Cards are the trademarks of Boom Learning Inc. Used with permission.