Create a Math Center for Early Finishers

What can I do with students who are early finishers?

The key to success is to provide a variety of engaging options that are easy for students to access. 

Need a good reason to create one?  A math center for early finishers is wonderful for classroom management!

I know what you are thinking … “That sounds great, but it is easier said than done.”  It’s actually not so difficult, but some initial brainstorming and preparation are required.  The good news is that once your center is set up, minimal attention on the part of the teacher is necessary, and it is there for the whole year!  You will probably switch out some options occasionally.  That depends a lot on what types of activities you decide to utilize.

Pentominoes are in the pink box and worksheet options are in the standing file.

Step 1

Create a go-to area in your classroom and train your students to go there any time they finish classwork early.  You don’t need lots of space for this.  Think about using a bulletin board, a hanging file, containers on an extra desk or countertop, etc. 

Hmmm ... change the title and clip handouts to the clipboards?  Easy peasy!

Slip papers into a standing file.

Drop materials for early finishers into containers, especially activities that require manipulatives.

Pocket charts are easy to hang on a door or cabinet and are great space savers!

Step 2

Select a variety of engaging options.  I like to include both review and enrichment activities at an early finisher math center.  This way, every student can find something appropriate to his/her level.  You want all students to be able to find an engaging activity at an academically appropriate level.  Keep this in mind as you brainstorm ideas for resources.

Since I teach math, I provide:

• Puzzles (logic problems, word searches, crosswords, Sudoku puzzles, Pentominoes, Tangrams, Math Wrap Ups)

• Extra practice on a variety of topics

• Quiet one or two person games (Capture it!, Solitaire, Yahtzee)

    Provide simple game or activity instructions as needed. Note: Kids don't play cards or traditional games much these days.  Solitaire or Yahtzee can be of high interest for them and helps familiarize them with cards and dice.  This can pay off when studying probability.

• Flashcards (These don't have to be elementary level.  Try something like these square root flashcards.) 

• Challenging enrichment activities

• Mathematician articles to read and summarize 

• Coordinate graphing pictures

• Pictures to color symmetrically (geometry)

What resources do you already have?  Are there worksheets tucked away that you wish you had time to use or resources you love, but that don’t fit your curriculum perfectly? For example, I usually include a worksheet and cross number puzzle about Roman Numerals.  Kids enjoy learning about them since they aren’t used a lot these days.  A Google search will turn up math puzzles of many types.  Here's one I found: Roman Numeral Sudoku

Engage the brain by combining manipulatives, worksheets, reading, and artsy activities!  See my earlier post, "No Hassle Extra Credit" if you are interested in implementing this basic idea as an extra credit program.