How did you first discover Boom Cards?
Many educators raved about Boom Cards in a private online group in 2017. As a tutor for students with learning disabilities, I always sought engaging and practical tools to make practice fun and interesting. Their excitement piqued my curiosity, and I knew I had to check them out. After trying Boom Cards myself, I was instantly hooked! They were the perfect fit for my students, and I’ve used them ever since.
How did your students react to Boom Cards. What was their favorite part of using them?
My students love Boom Cards. They ditch the flashcards when it’s Boom Card time! These digital task cards are like the coolest game ever (at least according to my students). They’re the perfect way to review a concept after we’ve tackled it together.
Seriously, the groans about review practice have vanished. Before we finish the session, they ask, “Can we play Boom Cards yet?” It’s like they’re playing a game they enjoy, but, sneaky me, they’re reinforcing all that knowledge we just learned!
The best part? Boom Cards cater to all kinds of learners. Whether a student loves a good challenge or needs a little extra support, there are decks that fit the bill. Plus, the interactive elements and immediate feedback keep everyone engaged. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
What about you? What’s your favorite tool or feature?
Picking just one favorite feature of Boom Cards is a tough assignment. But if I had to choose, it’d be instant feedback.
Here’s why—imagine my students are blasting through a Boom Card deck, all focused and determined. Suddenly, a wrong answer pops up. With traditional methods, it might take a while for them to figure out what went wrong. But with Boom Cards? Bam! Instant feedback appears, guiding them back on the right track.
Boom is a game-changer for my tutoring sessions. It helps my students learn from mistakes on the fly without any frustration. Plus, I can see exactly where they need extra help and adjust my instruction right then and there. No more waiting around!
But the best part? Boom Cards make giving feedback positive and encouraging. It’s not about punishment; it’s about learning and growing. I even go the extra mile in my own decks. I add fun audio messages and animated cards that celebrate their achievements. Positive vibes all around! Let’s face it. We all need a little “way to go” sometimes!
Do you ever combine Boom Cards with other in-person learning activities? If so, can you give an example?
I love to combine Boom Cards with other activities to keep things fresh and engaging. Think of it as a learning buffet—a little bit of everything to satisfy those curious minds!
Here’s a taste of how I use Boom Cards in a multi-sensory way:
First, we whip out some physical flashcards, getting those hands (and maybe some wiggles!) involved. Then, we tackle a written exercise to solidify the basics. Now it’s time for a sensory or craft activity to really bring the sounds to life! Finally, the grand finale—Boom Cards—to practice those phonics skills in a fun, interactive way. It’s a multi-sensory marathon that keeps brains buzzing!
Here are some other ways I use them:
- Warm-up: A few Boom Cards are the perfect way to review what we learned last time.
- Exit Ticket: Boom Cards as an “exit ticket” give me a snapshot of their understanding.
- Independent Activity: Assigning Boom Cards for them to tackle between sessions keeps those skills sharp.
- As a Reward: Boom Cards, with their engaging gameplay, become the ultimate prize for completing tasks.
Do you have a favorite free Boom Card deck?
Freebies are so much fun. I have created some free decks so teachers can have some fast activities. One of my favorites is Learn Color Words, a fun activity for learning color sight words. This deck lets kids learn to spell and read by hearing colors and dragging the letters to spell them. Each card has sound and multiple ways to interact with the words.
Special features include:
- Directions read aloud.
- Each word read aloud.
- Movable letters.
- Each letter includes sound.
- Color-coded letters to reinforce the concept.
- Color-coded pictures aid in memory.
- Type the word practice.
Do you make your own Boom Cards?
I have whipped up over 175 Boom Decks, and let me tell you, it’s incredibly rewarding. The joy of taking an idea and turning it into an engaging digital activity that helps kids learn is unreal. Suddenly, those tricky concepts become interactive adventures, complete with drag-and-drop challenges, dazzling animations, and the satisfaction of getting the answer right. I never thought I could create digital activities without a computer or coding background. The Boom platform is easy to use, and I am amazed at the variety of activities I have been able to create.
What was the most challenging thing about making your first set of Boom Cards?
Anytime you start a new project, there is a learning curve. You must learn how to use the software and the various features. I had to try different ways of inserting fonts, graphics, sound, etc…. Thankfully, Boom provides excellent tutorials and videos, so help is always available.
How long does it take you to complete a deck?
Boom Cards are fast and easy to create. Each deck is different, and the time to create them depends on the features I include. Simply choosing the correct answer is fast to make. A deck that involves linking slides for different options, sound, and drag-and-drop features may take longer. Once familiar with using the various tools, Boom Card creation was faster than creating traditional printable resources.
What kind of progress have you seen from learners who have played with Boom Cards?
Boom Cards have been a game-changer for monitoring student progress and personalizing instruction. Here’s how I’ve seen them benefit learners:
- Targeted Practice and Feedback: Boom Cards allow me to pinpoint specific skills each student needs to work on. The games provide immediate feedback, helping students learn from mistakes and solidify understanding.
- Differentiated Learning: I can assign decks tailored to each student’s needs. Whether it’s providing extra challenge or targeted support, Boom Cards offer a variety of difficulty levels and activity types to keep everyone engaged.
- Data-driven Instruction: The detailed reports in Boom Learning are fantastic. I can see exactly which concepts each student has mastered and where there are still gaps. This allows me to adjust my lessons on the fly, focusing on areas that need the most attention.
- Increased Mastery: By personalizing practice and addressing individual needs, Boom Cards help students achieve mastery of the material faster. They become more confident learners as their skills improve.
Overall, Boom Cards have transformed the way I approach tutoring. They’ve made learning more engaging and effective, leading to demonstrably stronger skills and increased confidence in my students.
What’s a feature that people may not know about?
One of the newer features that I absolutely love is the ink feature. This allows kids to draw on the slide. I just incorporated this fun feature into an alphabet deck. Now, my students get an even better multi-sensory experience by tracing and drawing letters right on the deck.
In addition to K-5 tutoring, Tammy also sells the Boom Cards she creates. You can find her resources here:
