Classroom Management: Fast Finishers

We've all been there.  Despite our best efforts at differentiation, some of our students complete their work very quickly!  Now they are standing by our side and asking "What can I do next?"

As you begin thinking about back to school, establishing a classroom management solution for your early finishers is one of the most important classroom routines you can plan for!

A reference display on a bulletin board or wall space makes an easy to manage system for our early finishers.  

I have used a couple different designs over the years, but the goal is the same: 

Create student independence through choice and a visual reference.

        

A few possible choices!

How it works: 

1.  Choose a variety of activities that students may complete when they are finished with their work.  Having about 6-8 student choices works really well.

2.  Create some sort of display for students to see a visual for the activities.  You could use a bulletin board, wall or door space, a pocket chart- the possibilities are endless.  If you don't want to create your own images, I have two versions available in my TPT shop.  Both sets have more than 35 options of activities!  They are quick and easy to print and hang.

          

3. Rotate activities throughout the year so students have new choices to keep it fresh and fun!  One idea is to use clips or clothespins so you can quickly update the display.

Hear what others have said about my fast finishers bulletin board sets:

"This product has made my year in Kindergarten run very smoothly. The kids know exactly what to do when they finish and I have noticed a great change in behaviors!" - Amanda H.

"I always had kids come up to me and say, "I'm done, now what can I do?" Now with these fast finisher posters, I haven't had anyone ask me! The pictures are a great visual for students and now they always have something to do when they finish!" - Julia K.

What are some of your favorite activities for your fast finishers?  Leave me a comment with some of the choices your students have.

Want to coordinate with your classroom rules posters?  Check out this rules set!

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Christmas in July!!!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July and are enjoying some much needed R and R. 

I am joining up today with other I Teach K-2 bloggers to bring you lots of treats this month!!!  We decided it was the perfect time to celebrate Christmas in July!  

Let's start with a freebie!  All of the bloggers have a special freebie for you on their blogs!  Just follow the links at the end of the post. 

You can click here to grab this freebie.

Here is the freebie I am sharing!  It is so great for the beginning of the year.  It has two activities, a "Find Someone Who" with lots of picture clues that is perfect for primary student

 An interest inventory is also included.  

Use it to get to know more about your students the first week of school!

Next, all the I Teach K-2 bloggers are throwing a sale!  I know many of you are already prepping for back to school.  Here is a great chance to head to our stores and stock up!

The sale is running now through July 9.

We are also having gift card giveaways! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win these AMAZING prizes!

Enjoy!  

Jaymie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

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Back to School Math Centers and Activities

The beginning of the year is a great time to observe students counting and number sense skills.  Here are some of the simple activities I like to use.

1. Counting Boxes:

I found these cute containers at Dollar Tree.  You get 10 in a package for $1. I put small objects in each container; paper clips, counters, tiny erasers, links, play money, etc.  You can use anything you have on hand.  

Then I labeled the front of the containers with a sharpie.  You could just put a number.  I put a number and what is inside. 

To use the activity, students take a container and count how many objects are inside.  Then they record the number on the recording sheet.  

Click here to get the recording sheet.

This activity is great as a center.  It also works well for small-group table time, you can make some great observations/anecdotal notes of students counting skills this way.

2.  Counting Mats:
This is a fun and simple activity! Students need a felt mat or piece of large piece of construction paper as a work space.  Add a set of number cards (you decide how high you would like them to go), and some fun manipulatives, and this center is ready to go.  Students grab a number card and count out that many objects.  The little pom-poms above are really fun to use.  Try to set out a variety of objects to make it more fun for students.

3. Number Strips:
This activity can be done whole class or as a center.  Give each student a strip of adding machine tape about 3 feet long.  They can tape it to a desk or table. You want them to write with the paper vertical so that each number has it's own line, so they don't have to worry about spaces between numbers. Students start at one and write as far as they can. If they fill the whole strip, they can tape another strip onto it and keep going. I have been using this activity for years, and they always LOVE it.  I think it is because they like to see how long their strip is.  It is a little messy, but worth it.  When students finish, I try to roll them up and rubber band them.  Later, I do a quick check to see where they are in their understanding of numbers.  I make myself a few quick notes about how far they can write, if they have reversals, etc.  It is a great way to get some quick data on students math skills.

4. Dry Erase Boards:
Students use these simple task cards and dry erase boards to draw pictures to represent numbers.
Click here to get the task cards.


I hope this gives you some easy math ideas that you can use the first week or two back at school.

Happy Teaching!

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