Goodbye Popsicle Sticks, Hello Card-O-Matic

I read all the new blog posts in my Blogger Reading List and still needed a reason to procrastinate on doing the laundry, so I headed over to Teaching Channel to watch a few videos. :) I am glad I did because I came across a video featuring Tammy Ritter and her Card-O-Matic idea.


As you can see, Card-O-Matic is very similar to pulling popsicle sticks with students’ names written on them. The sticks work well, but in order for my students to stay engaged after their sticks are pulled, I put the sticks back in the cup. There were many times that the same students would be pulled over and over again, while some students never got their sticks pulled. Card-O-Matic solves that problem because it ensures that all students will participate, and since each student’s name is in the stack more than once, students will need to pay attention and be ready even after their cards come up the first time.

While boring white index cards get the job done, I thought I would make some 3 x 5 cards that would be a little more fun to look at throughout the day. Click on any of the images below to pick up your free cards. You may want to print them on cardstock or laminate them for durability.

 
 
I think that my time was much better spent on Teaching Channel than on laundry. I mean, increased student participation versus folding a load of laundry…I think we can all agree on what is more important! :)

What are ways you increase student participation in your classroom? I would love to read about your ideas!

Dani from Patterson’s Porch is giving away a $25 Target gift card and a $10 Teachers Pay Teachers gift certificate! Click on the image below for your chance to win!