DIY Flip Chute

If you haven’t explored a flip chute yet, you have GOT to try it. They are super simple to make, and can add so much FUN to any subject area! 

Here’s the basic concept: Using a double sided index card with information from ANY subject area, students read one side of the card, put it in the flip chute, and it comes out showing the other side of the card. My mind has been SPINNING with all the different ways this can be used in the classroom… vocabulary words and definitions, addition/subtraction equations and answers, pictures and beginning sounds.. if you can name it, you can pretty much think of a way to use it with a flip chute!

This week, I’m planning on using the flip chute to practice initial sounds. I will give my students some picture cards with the initial sound written on the back. They will look at the picture, say the word, and say the initial sound.

Then, they will put the card into the flip chute, and can self assess when the card comes out!

Now that I’m sure you have so many ideas too and need 192 flip chutes for you classroom, it’s a good thing that they’re easy to make! Here’s a step by step tutorial of how to make your own:

1. Get an orange juice or milk container and cut off the front and back flap.

2. Fold in the other 2 flaps and tape them down with packing tape.

3. Cut two rectangles on the front of the container. One rectangle about 1″ from the top, and the other rectangle about 1/2″ to 1″ from the bottom. The rectangles should be about 3 1/4″ x 1 3/4″.

4. Cut 2 strips of cardstock. One strip should be 10 1/2″ x 3 1/4″. The other should be 7″ x 3 1/4″.

5. Fold in the top and bottom of both strips about 1″ to make 2 flaps on each.

6. Tape the top flap of the long strip to the top of the top rectangle cut out on the container. Pull the cardstock through the flip chute, and tape the bottom flap of the strip to the bottom of the bottom rectangle cut out on the container.

7. Tape the top flap of the short strip to the bottom of the top rectangle cut out on the container. Pull the cardstock through the flip chute, and tape the bottom flap of the strip to the top of the bottom rectangle cut out on the container.

8. Cover with decorative duct tape, contact paper, or washi tape, and you’re ready to start having some fun!

Want to give it a try with letters and sounds? Click here to grab a sample of my picture cards and letter cards from my Let’s Learn Letter Sounds pack for FREE. Just print them back to back and you’re good to go!

I already have an ongoing list of ways I’m planning to use flip chutes in my classroom, but you can never have too many ideas! Share your ideas below in the comments!