Keeping Students Busy Bell to Bell

So, ... you are confident that you have planned a great lesson.  Suddenly, you unexpectedly have a few students finishing earlier than expected.  "What should I do next?" they ask, as you wonder where your carefully timed plan for the class period went off track.  

How can you avoid this issue in the future?

Try these simple, yet effective ideas:

Collect task cards on a variety of topics.  They are an easy way to provide both routine and challenging practice with minimal effort on your part.

Set up an area in your classroom with activities for early finishers. (See ideas here.)

If only a few students finish quickly, they can be a valuable source of help to you.  Ask them if they would like to serve as "student teachers" by helping others.  Remind them that as "student teachers" they will want to be to be helpful, but should not provide others with answers.