I thought of changing the title to 'endless ways to group your students with a stack of cards' but hey that's an exaggeration, although it is possible but I can't do that kind of write up. So I stick with 5 ways. It is manageable and doable plus it is REALISTIC.

Okay, let us start with this card. It is called Happy Family cards and many of us are familiar with it. I bought mine at a thrift store so I think there will be a variation of your happy family and my happy family. However, the concept of this game is the same so we will still have a family of four.

Way 1

Step one: Shuffle the cards.

Step two: As the student came into the class, distribute one each.

Step three: Get them to make a family of four. In Malaysia, we might want to explain more about the surname because most of us do not a surname.

This will make you have at least 8 families, therefore you will have 8 groups.

Way 2

Step one: Shuffle the cards.

Step two: As the student came into the class, distribute one each.

Step three: Get the students to group themselves based on the position in the family. For example, all the father in a group, mother in a group, son, and daughter in respective groups.

This method of grouping will only produce 4 groups with 8 in each group.


The next is Old Maid, my 3-year-old princess love to match these cards. I find the activity suit her well because apart from matching, she also loves to mix it up and leave traces all over the house! Talk about fun!

So how do we use these cards?

Way 3

Step one: Shuffle these cards.

Step two: As the student came into the class, distribute one each.

Step three: Ask the students to find their pair, and that's it! You have pairs in your class. Easy!



The last type of cards is a stack of cards I made from pictures I found on the internet. I call it Food Card. So this the how to:

Way 4

Step one: Shuffle these cards.

Step two: As the student came into the class, distribute one each.

Step three: Ask the students to find their group based on the type of food. I have grouped these cards based on, 1. starch 2. vegetables 3. seasoning 4. meat. For every group, you will have 5 students.

Way 5

Step one: Shuffle these cards.

Step two: As the student came into the class, distribute one each.

Step three: Ask the students to gather 'ingredients' consisting of 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 type of seasoning and 1 type of meat. The students then may be required to make up a dish using these 'ingredients'. By doing this you will have a group of 4 with 5 dishes!

There you go, 5 ways to group students using cards. Give it a try and tell me what do you think of it!