I Had Every Intention....

Today I had every intention of sitting down and proofreading my report cards.  I was going to spend my little peanut's nap time getting them done. Well, apparently a nap was not on her agenda today.  Instead, they sat there neglected.  Then, I figured I would proof them after she went to bed.  Again, no such luck-my crafty side, and the Kardashians, got the better of me.  Instead, I made these (and got a head start on a few things for next year):

The green and blue labels on the left are going on my objectives board next year.  I've been using the same pink, boring ones I made a few years back and I'm just tired of them. These are way cuter and match my theme for next year.  The sign on the right is the reminder I keep posted for my "fast finishers."  Here's a close up:

The "fast finishers" will have three activities to choose from whenever they finish an assignment early. 

1. Work on Unfinished Work: My students always have an unfinished work folder in their desk. This is where they keep any assignments that still need to be completed.  One year I called these folders "work in progress" folders but it was just too euphemistic for me-it's unfinished work.  If they have unfinished work, options 2 and 3 are not really options for them.  That is, they have to work on their unfinished work because the goal is to get caught up.  If a student does not have any unfinished work, they may choose option 2 or 3. 

2.  Complete a "Fast Finisher" Activity- I am going to have a variety of activities set aside in magnetic file boxes that students can work on whenever they finish something early. I plan to hang the file boxes on the side of my bookshelf for easy access.  So far, I plan to include the following activities: a calendar page, a book order activity, and take it to your seat Boggle.  I am still on the hunt for one or two more things.

3. Choose a Book and Read Silently-If the students don't have any unfinished work, and they don't feel like doing option #2, they may choose a book from our classroom library and read.

I have used this system for years, but option 2 usually changes year to year.  This year, it was work on "Explode the Code," a phonics book I prepared for each student. A few years ago, it was a math book that I made for them.  That made for a lot of photocopying, pages ripping off, etc, so I'm a little excited about next year's option.

What do you have your students do when they finish an assignment early?