Early Finishers Activities to Engage Students
Early finishers, those eager learners who complete tasks ahead of schedule, often crave intellectual stimulation and an opportunity to explore their interests further. A teacher's ability to engage and support all their students, regardless of their pace, is a testament to effective teaching.
Early finisher activities are a great school activity for students to engage in while the rest of the students in the classroom complete their work.
When students finish early, they may be asking, "Now what?" It is important to have an early finisher activity ready for a speedy student to ensure students who are finishing early are not bored kids, but engaged ones.
Why Provide Early Finishers Activities?
Recognizing and addressing the needs of early finishers in your classroom is a pivotal element of effective teaching.
Inclusion
First and foremost, it ensures that every student feels valued and engaged in the learning process. By offering activities designed to cater to these fast finishers, educators create an environment that nurtures individuality, where students are encouraged to embrace their strengths and delve into their passions.
Independent Learning
Moreover, early finisher activities foster independent learning and encourage students to have responsibility. In a world increasingly reliant on problem-solving and critical thinking, these supplementary tasks allow students to develop vital skills on their own while simultaneously fostering independence.
By giving step by step directions, you can ensure that these fast finishers can complete the fast finisher activities on their own, which boosts confidence and facilitates independence.
As we encourage students to tackle math challenges, explore creative writing, and unravel brain teasers, they are not just filling time; they are enriched academically and start to learn on their own.
Classroom Management
Providing early finisher activities helps with classroom management as it encourages students who finish early to stay on task instead of being disruptive.
While early finishers should not be punished with more work, it is important to keep these talented students engaged during the extra time they have.
A student with nothing to do can often lead to distracted classmates.
CLICK HERE for a FREE eBook download about effective classroom management strategies.
You can also read my related blog post HERE.
Early Finisher Activities
Early finisher activities are important for elementary school students. There is a range of activities designed to cater to different interests and abilities for all students in your classroom to complete as their classmates complete the earlier task.
If you would like these task cards and supplemental resources, CLICK HERE to download all of them.
You can also download THIS 50-PAGE PRINT-AND-GO RESOURCE to make prep work a breeze.
Not sure what you want? Browse all constructive filler activities HERE.
Academic Activities
Early finishers may need extra support or practice in other areas, or they may like to increase their skills beyond what is taught to the whole class.
Math Skills
Early finishers can engage with activities that include math practice, math puzzles, number games, and problem-solving exercises. These math activities strengthen students' grasp of mathematical concepts and prepare them for more complex math topics in the future.
Solve word problems (Supplemental)
Complete math worksheets (Supplemental)
Explore math-related logic puzzles (Sudoku, KenKen, Kakuro, etc.)
Play Prodigy (website)
Play on Math Playground (website)
Take your own timed multiplication test
Create and practice math flashcards
Investigate shapes using a tangram
Use math manipulatives to solve your own problems
Play Dice Math (Roll 2 die and add/subtract/multiply the numbers)
Play Math Cards (Draw 2 cards and add/subtract/multiply the numbers)
Check out my math resource with 180+ task cards HERE.
Writing Skills
Writing is a powerful means of self-expression and communication. By offering students the chance to create short stories, poems, or journal entries, we not only enhance their writing skills but also encourage their creativity and self-confidence as authors.
Craft a short story
Keep a journal or diary
Write a persuasive speech about a school issue
Compose a descriptive poem
Author and illustrate a picture book
Write a script for a play
Write a letter to a favorite character
Compose song lyrics
Blog about a personal interest
Write a letter to the author of a book you’ve read
Craft a choose-your-own-adventure story
Prepare a speech as a historical figure
Craft a letter to a pen pal or family member
Write a class newsletter
Create a comic strip
Download the writing task cards with over 100 task cards HERE.
Spelling Skills
Extra time is also a great opportunity to practice spelling words for an upcoming test.
Write your spelling word list:
into silly sentences
into a story
in ABC order
in rainbow colors
using one color for consonants and another for vowels
with your nondominant hand
as big as you can on one piece of paper
hidden in a picture you draw
using fun lettering
as quickly as possible then as neatly as you can
Check out the spelling and vocabulary task cards HERE.
Other English Language Arts Skills
While students can practice spelling and writing, they can also practice the other skills that make up writing.
Complete a Mad Lib
Develop character profiles
Play Bananagrams
Play Boggle
Play Text Twist (Write as many words as you can from a given phrase)
Solve word search puzzles with your spelling words
Draw a comic strip using words from a dictionary or thesaurus
Play Word Bingo by marking off words as you find them in your book
Write an alphabet story where each sentence begins with the next letter of the alphabet
Write a paragraph with a metaphor or simile
Draft a poem that uses personification.
Download over 50 ELA task cards HERE.
Research Skills
In our information-rich world, research skills are vital. Early finishers can embark on age-appropriate research projects, honing their ability to locate and summarize information effectively. These activities not only aid academic development but also prepare students for future educational endeavors.
Investigate a historical figure
Explore a science topic
Conduct research on a famous landmark
Create a biography of a notable personality
Investigate an ecological issue
Compile data on weather patterns
Analyze an archaeological discovery
Research a cultural festival or event
Explore the life of a famous artist
Investigate the history of a significant invention
Research a cultural festival, celebration or tradition
Download the task cards and worksheets HERE.
Practice Skills Online
I'm all about making things easier for myself as a teacher. There are many websites that allow students to practice academic skills and require minimal effort to the teacher. Check out the list below.
Download these task cards as well as other fun activities and art prompts HERE.
Reading Activities
Fast finishers may be very interested in reading a book of their choice when asking, "Now what?" after finishing an assignment. This is also easy to facilitate as a teacher!
Independent Reading
Encouraging a love for reading and expanding vocabulary and comprehension are key objectives of early finisher activities in this section. By offering a selection of age-appropriate books and eBooks, students can immerse themselves in captivating stories and non-fiction content, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for reading.
Fast finishers should be given more early finisher activities than just reading, but reading is a great option as well.
Read a favorite book from the classroom library
Explore eBooks (GetEpic)
Listen to audiobooks
Read historical biographies
Investigate mystery novels
Delve into non-fiction science books
Explore fantasy and magical adventures
Read short stories and anthologies
Immerse in adventure novels
Discover poetry and literary classics
Explore joke books
Find Reading & Comprehension Task Cards HERE.
Expanding Vocabulary
While reading in itself is a good skill to have, having the vocabulary to understand what is read is foundational to reading comprehension. Consequently, activities related to vocabulary are helpful for students who need help understanding what they read.
Do a vocabulary word search puzzle
Play vocabulary bingo
Practice with vocabulary flashcards
Explore vocabulary crossword puzzles
Write vocabulary words in sentences
Use a thesaurus to find related words
Write a story using vocabulary words
Fill out a Frayer model template
Write a synonym story, where students use a synonym for each vocabulary word
For each vocabulary word, list as many related words as possible
Create a mnemonic device for 5 vocabulary words
Check out the spelling and vocabulary task cards HERE.
Reading Comprehension
Reading not only nurtures a love for books but also aids in building vocabulary and comprehension skills. Discussions with teachers and classmates about the books they read deepen their understanding and provide a sense of community, enriching their educational experience.
Literacy centers are also a great option that students can complete independently.
Summarize a chapter or passage
Identify story elements (plot, setting, characters)
Complete an exit ticket
Compare and contrast characters
Analyze the author's purpose
Write an alternate story ending
Create a story timeline
Draft a character profile
Read a passage and answer questions
Write a book review
Write a diary entry as a book character
Draw illustrations for a chapter book
Find Reading & Comprehension Task Cards HERE.
Creative Activities
The creative sphere is a playground for self-expression and imagination. Early finishers can explore their artistic inclinations and delve into the world of art and fine motor skills, self-portraits, coloring, and creativity.
Art Skills
Art activities offer students a platform for imaginative expression while simultaneously honing fine motor skills. Through drawing, painting, or craft projects, young learners foster both creativity and dexterity.
Paint a landscape with watercolors
Make a collage
Create a mixed media piece of art
Draw favorite characters with pastels
Sketch a self-portrait
Recreate art by famous artists
Create an expressive abstract painting
Fold paper into origami art
Draw with colored pencils
Create digital art
String bead jewelry projects
Practice handwriting or calligraphy
Assemble 3D puzzles
Explore a new art technique
Download these art prompts, other fun activities, and educational website task cards HERE.
Coloring Sheets
Coloring sheets offer a relaxing and engaging pastime that enhances focus and patience while encouraging artistic expression. Crayola and Super Coloring are great sites to find free options.
Inspirational quotes
Geometric designs
Other Activities
Puzzles and Brain Teasers
Logic puzzles and brain-teasers not only challenge early finishers but also promote problem-solving and encourage students to think critically. Puzzle skills foster spatial awareness, patience, and an attention to detail. These activities stimulate their intellect and teach perseverance when faced with a challenging puzzle.
Solve a crossword puzzle
Complete a word search puzzle
Tackle a brain-teaser challenge or riddle
Explore logic grid puzzles
Engage in Sudoku puzzles
Solve Tangram puzzles
Tackle physical puzzles like Rubik's Cubes
Play Mastermind
Play Rush Hour
Solve an escape room-style puzzle
Put together a jigsaw puzzle
Help your students practice problem solving and logic HERE.
Fun Activities
A fun activity isn't necessarily productive, but it can be a good option for a school day before a break where students don't have the brain capacity for constant learning. Besides, these fast finisher activities still encourage students to work independently and practice being creative.
Design and create your own board game
Develop a class newsletter
Create a vision board
Write your own joke book
Develop a PowerPoint about your hobby
Design and construct a mini architectural structure
Create a storyboard for a short film
Make your own secret code and write a message
Create a character trading card
Practice mindfulness or meditation
Create a travel brochure for a place you’ve seen or read about
Check out these task cards along with art prompts and educational websites HERE.
Implementation
There are several ways to implement early finisher activates. First off, you can present each idea on its own or as one of several choices for the day.
You can also provide fun ideas through choice boards, where students can choose what interests them. Not all fast finishers will want to complete the same tasks or have the same needs, so providing a variety of options can be helpful.
Another option is to give students task cards so that they can practice skills independently. These activities are often introduced to students and set up at a center for them to do when they finish an earlier task and ask, "Now what?"
Conclusion
In conclusion, early finisher activities offer a dynamic way to engage and inspire students with diverse interests and abilities. By providing a range of options, from math and writing to puzzles and logic games, we not only keep students engaged but also encourage creativity, critical thinking, and independent learning.
Teachers play a key role in offering step-by-step guidance, managing the classroom, and curating activities that cater to students' individual needs. Using choice boards and task cards ensures that most students can find activities aligned with their preferences and learning styles. From independent reading to brain teasers, these activities are a fantastic way to make the most of students' free time.
Through these activities, we ensure that early finishers, speedy students, and most kids have a constructive and enjoyable way to spend their time, promoting skill development and a love for learning. So, let's continue to offer early finisher activities to keep our classrooms engaging and inspiring for every student.
More Resources
CLICK HERE to learn about how to engage students with active learning.
CLICK HERE for 50 pages of ready-to-go early finisher activities.
CLICK HERE for task cards related to activities listed in this blog.
CLICK HERE for a FREE eBook on classroom management strategies.