Flashcard Game
Kagan Strategy
The Flashcards
The Flashcard Game is a great way to have students practice vocabulary words or content. Students need flashcards to play. (If no flashcards exist for the content, students or teachers can easily make their own.) The flashcards can take many different forms, depending on the content to be learned. They can have vocabulary words on them, math problems, comprehension questions, or even specific content-related questions.
For vocabulary words, one side of the flashcard has a word (or a picture depending on the learner) and the definition on the back. This is a great strategy for ESL students.
For content questions or math problems, the question/problem is on the front of the card and the answer is on back.
The Rounds
Students proceed through three rounds in pairs to memorize the content. One student is the "Tutor" and the other is the "Tutee."
Round 1:
The “Tutor” shows and reads the front and back of the flashcard. Then, the “Tutor” shows the front of the card and the “Tutee” gives the answer for the back. If the “Tutee” answers correctly, the “Tutor” offers praise and gives the “Tutee” the card. If the “Tutee” answers incorrectly, he or she does not win the flashcard. The “Tutor” offers a hint or shows the answer again. When they have gone through all the cards, the pair switches roles and goes through the cards again.
Round 2:
In this round, fewer cues are given. The “Tutor” shows the front of the card and the “Tutee” tries to win back the card by giving a correct answer. When both students win back all their cards, they move on to Round 3.
Round 3:
Even fewer cues are given. The “Tutor” says what’s on the front, this time without showing the card. The “Tutee” tries to win back the cards with the correct answer.
The Flashcard Game is done in rounds to improve the likelihood of success at each round.
Students are the “Tutor” and “Tutee” and get repeated practice and immediate feedback.