Homeschooling with Index Cards

Uses for Index Cards

Index cards are on sale at Walgreens this week for 39 cents / 100 cards. I’m not sure if this is the same everywhere, but with all the back-to-school sales, I’m sure you can find some index cards on sale somewhere even if not at Walgreens! Here are some creative ideas about how you can use index cards in your homeschool.

- Chore Cards: OK, I had to put this one first. It’s one of my favorite uses! Write the chore (dishes, dusting, laundry, etc.) on one side and then on the back, you might choose to write detailed instructions for that particular chore. If you click here, you’ll find detailed instructions on how to make your own chore organizer. There are also recommendations for other chore organization systems.

- Foreign Language Flash Cards: This is my other favorite use. Instead of buying expensive foreign language flash cards, make your own! Put the English word on one side and the foreign language word on the other side. You can also do this for conjugations and declensions.

- Punishment / Reward Cards: I love using index cards for this. It’s worth the expense, I think. We give one card to each child. Write the date on a line, then go across and say + (points) or – (points) based on behavior, completion of schoolwork and chores, etc. You get to decide how you want to give points in your own home – rewards for good behavior, being nice to a sibling, completing chores or schoolwork on time or doing a good job, etc. And you get to decide when to take away points and how many – disobedience, not doing work, complaining, etc.

- TV / Computer Time Cards: Write minutes on each card (5 minutes, 20 min., 30 min., whatever) and give these out to your child as desired. When they want to play computer or watch t.v., they just turn over a card (or several saved up cards).

- Plagues of Egypt: Use the cards to memorize plagues of Egypt.

- 10 Commandments: Use cards to memorize 10 Commandments.

- Organization: Use index cards to organize your lesson plans, keep field trip ideas, keep a record of children’s accomplishments, etc.

These are just a few of the ideas of things you can do with index cards. There is a good website about homeschooling with index cards that you might want to check out, too. It’s http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com .

Happy Homeschooling!
Sonya Haskins
www.thehomeschooladvocate.com