3 Ways to implement boom cards in your classroom
Have you heard of Boom Cards yet? Are you wondering, what in the world they are? Well you have come to the right place. I am going to tell you what you need to know about Boom Cards, and why you should be using them in your classroom!
Right now our country has been thrown into online learning and technology. Even the states and districts that used technology on a daily basis in the classroom are overwhelmed with this “new normal”.
In most cases there are too many websites to use and narrowing down the good ones is difficult. When I first heard of Boom Cards I thought it was just another platform, like google slides.
But Boom Cards are sooo much more than that and a great resource to sign your students up on. They are amazing for using technology in a way that makes learning fun!
So What Are Boom Cards?!
- Digital Task Cards
Boom decks have 20 cards that students work through at random.
There are so many Boom Card decks available. Personally I love phonics cards for my first graders!
- Interactive
Students interact with each card to answer questions or complete activities. Some cards have drag and drop options, while others allow students to click on the correct answer.
- Self-checking
Boom Cards give students instant feedback because they are self checking. Students will know if they have correctly completed a card before moving on to the next card in the deck.
- Easy to use
Boom Cards are easy for students and teachers to use.
- Record student info
Teachers who have a membership have access to student Boom Card data.
This data shows you student responses to each card, as well as how long specific cards took a student to answer. This type of data can help teachers analyze student strengths and weaknesses.
- No-prep
There is no-prep for teachers. All teachers need to do is assign a Boom Card deck to a student or class. Once the deck is assigned, students will be able to log into their account and complete the deck on their own.
- Paperless
Whether you are assigning Boom Cards in the classroom or through distance learning, these decks require no paper! Boom Card decks can be accessed on laptops, ipads, Smartboards, or smartphones with the use of internet access. Also, because they are paperless, many Boom Card creators make their cards colorful and use cute clipart. This is awesome for keeping kids engaged in online learning and you don’t have to print any of it out in color!
Implementing Boom Cards in the Classroom
Eventually we will get to go back to our classrooms, and oh what a wonderful time that will be!! But whether we are with our students face-to-face, part-time, or on-going remote learning into the next school year, we need to continue to use technology with our students.
- Whole group game
Many decks can be used as whole group activities on a Smartboard. With the Fast Play link feature you can create a link that students can use without recording data. This is perfect for letting students take turns clicking on answers, or dragging and dropping things into the correct spot. You could even make it into a game, with teams earning points for correct answers… the possibilities are endless!
- Partners
Students can work with a partner to complete Boom Cards. Again the Fast Play link option would be best for partner work.
- Center work
Students can work on Boom Cards during centers. There are so many decks for phonics skills, writing, math, grammar, and so much more! Boom Cards are wonderful for independent work because they are so easy to use. Most decks have the same directions for each card, so even if a student needs help with directions on the first card they will be able to complete the same task on the following cards.
- Laptops, tablets, smart phones, Smartboards
Any device that you have internet access on can be used for Boom Cards. If you have laptops in the classroom then you just need to bookmark the Boom Learning website so students can access their assigned Boom Cards. On tablets and smartphones you can download the Boom Learning app. Students will be able to log in using the app to access assigned Boom Cards.
You can assign Boom Cards for students to complete at home too. Whether for remote/distance learning, or for homework. Students will love how fun and easy to use Boom Cards are!
Still not convinced Boom Cards are a fit for you and your classroom??! Try this freebie phonics Boom Card Deck! Also preview any Boom Card Deck through the Boom Learning Website!
About Boom Learning:
To use Boom Cards, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with “Fast Pins,” (play provides instant feedback for self-grading Boom Cards). Fast Play is always a free way for students to engage with Boom Cards decks. For additional assignment options you’ll need a premium account. If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. Readhere for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial.
You may be eligible for a free trial from Boom Learning. Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial. If you choose not to stay on a premium account after your free trial, you will still be able to assign all your Boom Cards to as many students as you see fit using Fast Play pins (which give instant feedback for decks that are self-grading). ™
