Fast finishers … we all have them in our classrooms! You think you've planned the perfect amount of time for an assignment, and suddenly a student (or 3) is finished early, asking, “now what?!”
I created Fast Finisher Task Cards for this reason! Having a variety of options for students if they finish a classroom assignment early is a game-changer.
These task cards provide an opportunity to review skills, offer challenges or let students critically think about new skills. Fast finishers will look forward to working on these task cards, and they won't be disrupting the rest of the class still working.
QUICK AND EASY PREP
As teachers, there is already so much on our plate. We don't always have time to plan and prep one more thing. That's what's so great about having fast finisher task cards on hand. The prep is a one-and-done type of deal.
Simply print out the task cards and put them on a binder ring! All of the hard work is already done for you. Leave the fast finisher activities on a hook in the front of the classroom for students to grab and go when they finish an assignment early. Then, students can sift through the different options and choose what interests them-hello student choice!
You can easily put up the digital versions of the early finisher activities on your learning platform for students to visit when needed. Students can complete the task(s) right on the slide!
WHAT'S INSIDE
- 2 Versions (printable and digital)
- ELA fast finisher task card options (24)
- Math fast finisher task card options (24)
- Creative fast finisher task card options (24)
ELA TASK CARDS
The ELA task cards have a little bit of everything! This activity is meant to stretch students' thinking.
- Students refer to a book/story to expand their understanding – story elements, reflection, connections, or creating a new character, just to name a few!
- Grammar focused cards
- Build sentences from a list of given words
- Cards with a focus on word patterns (short vowels, long vowels, r-controlled, silent e)
MATH TASK CARDS
- Show number understanding through patterns, clues, and showing multiple ways to make numbers
- Writing math questions/equations/riddles
- Writing word problems for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Error analysis for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Everyday math skill practice (money, graphing, time, etc.)
CREATIVE TASK CARDS
All task cards are designed to keep students thinking and engaged in fun ways! The task cards are easy to manage and focus on various skills.
- Finishing a story starter
- Thinking outside of the box (word chains, step-by-step directions, clues, puzzles, etc.)
- Designing superheroes and villains
- Lists for a specific topic
- SEL focused questions
Introducing the Fast Finishers Activities
Introduce the fast finisher task cards any time in the school year. This is something you'll definitely want to create a system for with your students. The first thing I would do is create an anchor chart together, laying out all the expectations of the fast finisher activities. Discuss things like what to do if they have extra time, how to pick an early finisher activity that's a good fit, and completing unfinished work before starting this new task.
This is a great activity that can last the whole year for quick workers if managed well!
Fast Finishers
Give students who finish an assignment early an engaging and enriching option! This set of task cards includes 3 areas of fast finisher task cards. Students can continue to grow and learn while applying critical thinking skills through a variety of options on the fast finisher task cards. These are perfect for students to complete independently or even as a whole class when you have a few extra minutes.
Here's what you'll get:
2 Versions (printable and digital)
24 ELA fast finisher task card options
24 Math fast finisher task card options
24 Creative fast finisher task card options
OTHER WAYS TO USE
The task cards are perfect for students to complete independently, in small groups, or even as a whole class when you have a few extra minutes. Use at the end of the day while waiting for the bell, as a morning meeting exercise, or as a bonus activity for students looking for an extra challenge.
Use the task cards anywhere in your routine!
- enrichment activity
- fast finishers station
- math centers
- literacy centers
- extra practice
- free time
- on choice boards
- morning work
Encouraging our students to embrace challenges, think critically, and have autonomy in learning are essential skills.
Your students will love the challenge of these extension activities, and you can spend your valuable teacher time prepping other engaging activities for your students!
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The post Easy Way to Keep Fast Finishers Engaged & Focused appeared first on Teach Create Motivate.