Flashcards can be used in a number of different activities in the classroom.
Flashcards can be bought, you can make your own or you can even ask the children to make them. You can use their cards for varies games. Getting children to make their own flashcards gives them the opportunity to draw and write the words. These flashcards can used to play games that need more than one set of cards such as Memory, Collecting Families, Matching etc.
Flash cards are good for drilling and learning words. It is easy just to flip through cards and have students repeat the words but that may not keep their interest. They will be more receptive to learning if you can make it interesting and even make them curious. Sometimes try to create some suspense about the cards and show the words in different ways. You can reveal a word slowly, fast or from a different position, anything to make it different. Once the card is shown, drill the word with the group using different intonation and silly voices to keep it fun. Vary the volume too, whisper and shout the words. Children will automatically copy your voice.
Place a selection of flash cards on the floor in a circle. The children must find two that match.
Find the card/ word.
Stick flash cards around the classroom. Children can play this in teams or just in groups. The
children need to find the card once you shout out the word. First child to touch the card will receive a point for the team.
Sink the ball: Children can try to throw a ball into a bucket/box.
Show a flashcard to a child and if they are correct they can try to throw the ball into the box. If the ball lands in the box then that team receives 2 points. If the ball only hits the box then they get 1 point. This game can be changed to suit your classroom.
Flashcards can be reused at any time to review words and to revise. To change the activity you can play games such as Pictionary, find the correct word, charades etc..
Flash cards are useful because they really can break the monotony and make education fun. There are some great ideas for games on the internet and here is one useful link.