Boom Learning Cards
If you want a highly engaging, interactive, and FUN way for children to review and practice math skills you need to try out Boom Learning Cards! I can tell you from personal experience, kids love them and you will too. Keep reading to learn more about Boom Learning Cards and how I use them in my classroom (+ grab a Boom Cards FREEBIE while you’re here!)
What are Boom Cards?
You might be asking yourself: What are Boom Cards? Boom Learning cards are ready-to-go, self-checking digital task cards. Think digital task cards you use in your centers, minus the paper and prep work because Boom Cards are played 100% online. Kids can play these decks on internet-connected devices, such as tablets and computers. Depending on the game they can click on, drag and drop, or type in their answers.
And, Boom Cards are not just for math! There are tons of decks for literacy, music, science, social skills, speech therapy, and more.
Boom also offers a variety of account types (paid and FREE) and you can purchase Boom Decks, find freebies, or DIY custom decks on the Boom Learning website. (Click here to learn more about the different types of Boom Cards memberships.)
How To Use Boom Cards as Part of Your Math Program
I first discovered (and fell in love with) Boom Learning Cards during the height of school closures and distance learning. Not only did they provide instant feedback for students, but Boom cards kept my students engaged and excited to learn. This kept me using (and creating) Boom cards for in-person learning as well.
If you think Boom Learning Cards would be a good addition to your K to 6 classroom, keep reading to find out how to use Boom Cards as part of your math program:
1. Use Boom Learning Cards as a whole group math activity.
When I first introduce Boom Cards for math to my class, I always start by using them as a whole group math activity. When we use Boom cards this way, my students are highly-engaged and having fun, all while practicing their math skills. Playing this way also gives students a chance to experience success. I can also model how to navigate the Boom Learning platform for students. This helps them to be more independent when playing on their own or with a buddy.
Here are a few tips for using Boom Cards as a whole group math activity:
- Instead of just accepting one student’s answer to a problem and moving on, ask the rest of the class if they agree or disagree with the chosen student’s answer. This encourages students to listen to the ideas of others while keeping them engaged and thinking about the math. Go one step further, and ask a student to share why they agree or disagree.
- Consider giving your students a whiteboard and whiteboard marker (pencil and paper also work just fine). This way they can solve and record their answer to each slide before the teacher reveals the correct answer.
- Playing a Boom Deck as a whole group math activity can create a lot of excitement (especially is you add it to your Fun Friday lineup!). Be sure to set clear boundaries and expectations to avoid letting things get too rowdy!!
2. Use a Boom Card to start a number talk.
Another way to explore math concepts and learn about how your students think about math is through a number talk. Number talks can be done with students from K to grade 6 (and beyond). The goal of the talk is to get kids thinking, reasoning, and making mathematical connections. Exploring multiple strategies to solve a problem is also encouraged.
So what does this have to do with Boom Learning Cards? Well, let me explain with number talk examples.
Number Talk Examples
One day I projected a ‘More or Less Bugs’ Boom Deck to play with my whole class. My students were having a blast and it hit me how easy it would be to stop at just one slide and use it as a tool to dig deeper into the minds of my little mathematicians. I mean, the students were already engaged, thinking, and learning so why not? After asking which jar had more bugs, I said my 4 favourite words in any math lesson – HOW DO YOU KNOW?
I have to say, it was a proud teacher moment to hear so many of my little learners articulate and describe the strategy they used to compare the bugs. Students were describing counting by 1s, skip counting, subitizing, and comparing. Best of all, my students were seeing that the same problem could be solved using different strategies which helps them to think more flexibly about the math. As well, I was also able to support students with the math vocabulary they needed to communicate their thinking clearly.
Okay – I may have sidetracked into number talks a bit there, but honestly, this is one of my favourite ways to use Boom Cards because my students are already so motivated to play and learn with them.
3. Create a Boom Learning math center.
While I am a big believer in hands-on, play-based learning for my kindergarten math program, there is also a time and place for technology to enhance student learning in any grade. Boom Cards for math will help you do just that!
When I set up a Boom Learning math center it is a win-win all around. My students love the chance to use technology to practice and review a variety of math concepts AND I love the simplicity of setting up a math center using Boom Cards. Aside from getting the Boom deck up and running on an internet-connected device, there is nothing to print, cut, laminate, or store. Even better, the cards are self-checking, so students receive immediate feedback. Immediate feedback is really important for students to learn from their mistakes. Students also benefit from the time to play with the math, try out strategies we shared during our math talk, ask questions and develop problem-solving strategies on their own or with a friend.
GRADE 1 to 6 TEACHER TIP: Set up your Boom Learning Cards center by posting the Boom Cards Fast Play pin on the board for students to use when they finish early or have free time. All they need is the PIN and an internet-connected device to get started.
4. Use Boom Cards for a quick math assessment.
Another way I like using Boom Learning Cards is as a quick math assessment. First, I create a Boom Cards classroom with all my students on the Boom Learning platform. This allows me to track student progress (NOTE: tracking student progress requires a paid Boom account.)
Since I have younger kids in my class, I call a small group of students over and have them complete the deck as a quick kindergarten math quiz. (Of course, I don’t tell them it’s a quiz so they just think they are getting extra time to play with Boom cards!) This way I can help students sign in. I can also make sure each child is completing the task independently (vs with a friend as many of my students love to do when I set it up as a Boom Cards math center).
GRADE 1 to 6 TEACHER TIP: Adjust according to your assessment goals and availability of technology. When I taught grades 4/5, I would have loved to use Boom Cards as a quick check-in to see how my students were progressing with specific skills before getting to a written test. Using Boom cards as a quick math assessment would have given me a quick snapshot to see which students needed extra support or practice.
5. Assign Boom Learning Cards for at-home math practice.
Another way I like using Boom Learning Cards is as a quick math assessment. First, I create a Boom Cards classroom with all my students in the Boom Learning platform. This allows me to track student progress (NOTE: tracking student progress requires a paid Boom account.)
Since I have younger kids in my class, I call a small group of students over and have them complete the deck as a quick kindergarten math quiz. (Of course, I don’t tell them it’s a quiz so they just think they are getting extra time to play with Boom cards!) This way I can help students sign in. I can also make sure each child is completing the task independently (vs with a friend as many of my students love to do when I set it up as a Boom Cards math center).
GRADE 1 to 6 TEACHER TIP: Adjust according to your assessment goals and availability of technology. When I taught grades 4/5, I would have loved to use Boom Cards as a quick check-in to see how my students were progressing with specific skills before getting to a written test. Using Boom cards as a quick math assessment would have given me a quick snapshot to see which students needed extra support or practice.
Want to try out a Boom Cards FREEBIE?
Boom Learning Decks can be used as part of your math lesson, as a center, for assessment, or to provide at-home math practice. They are a great way to combine learning and fun! So what are you waiting for? Click here for your Boom Cards freebie!
Not a kindergarten teacher? Send me a DM on Instagram and introduce yourself! I’d love to know what grade you teach and you can put in a request for a K to 6 Boom Learning Math Deck! I will do my best to create something for you to try out!
FYI: I do not make money if you subscribe to a paid Boom Learning account; however, I do make money if you purchase one of my paid Boom Cards decks. If you try out one of my free decks or purchase a paid deck I would love it if you would leave a review, and/or DM me on Instagram to let me know what you think!
