You probably already use clip cards in your classroom! They are a great hands-on way for your students to practice specific literacy or math skills. An easy independent activity to add to your centers with the added bonus of being a fine motor activity. We know them and love them!
But even great ideas can get stale after a while. Usually when your students start clipping noses and ears (real life example😜) instead of the cards it’s time to switch things up! But don’t pack away all your clip cards just yet… Keep reading for 8 different ways to keep your clip card activities fresh so you can keep using them all year long.
Use different kinds of clips
This is an easy way to switch it up! Clothespins are the default clip I used but here are some other ideas.
- decorative clothespins (holiday and seasonal clothespins are easy to find in craft or dollar stores)
- plastic clips (you can find these in all different colors to match holidays and themes)
- paper clips
- mini clothespins or clips
Use Manipulatives
Instead of clipping… students can cover the correct answer with a small object or manipulative. Here are few ideas:
- unifix cubes
- gems
- mini erasers
- counters
- pompoms
- buttons
Dry Erase Markers
Pull out your dry erase markers and students can answer right on the cards. This works great for cards that have a blank to be filled in.
Sensory Bin
Add some tactile and calming vibes to your clip cards by adding them to a sensory bin.
Give Choice
Set up your task cards with the choice of different ways to complete. For example.. have clips, buttons and dry erase markers in a center with the task cards and then students can choose. You can easily change the options each time they work on a new set.
Make them Self Checking Clip Cards
Add a little mark or sticker on the back of the card behind the correct answer. This way students can check to see if they got the correct answer.
Make them mini!
I printed the smaller ten frame cards below at 60% and then used the mini clothespins. I’m not sure why kids like this so much… but they do! Added bonus… less ink and laminating for the teacher.
Extend
Add recording pages, paper or white erase boards for students to write down their answers.
Sometimes some little tweeks are all that we need to keep an activity engaging for our students. No need to always start from scratch and finding new ways to use what we already have saves us time and money!
Before you run off to try out all these ideas in your classroom I’ve got some free clip cards to add to your collection. Hopefully, you’ve been convinced that you can’t have too many!
