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Early Finishers and Gifted – {Free} Printables

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Do you dread having early finishers in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom? Every classroom has them. Keeping early finishers engaged and challenged can be difficult for new, as well as experienced, teachers. They can bring mayhem into your classroom if they don’t have targeted extensions. Read on to find out how to “tame the speedsters” (a.k.a. early finishers) in your classroom and also control the math extension beast.

 

free-early-finishers-digital-printables-fast-finishers #earlyfinisher #math #fastfinisher #freeprintable

PLANNING FOR EARLY FINISHERS

I thoroughly planned my math lesson. It was hands-on with a terrific recording sheet and reflection page. I even thought of a “bonus question” for my early finishers.

So, I was ready for the speedsters this time.

I explained and modeled the assignment. Then, I pulled my first small group while one group was doing the independent assignment I had so thoughtfully planned and as my third group was working at stations.

I monitored frequently to make sure all students were on task and working. Five minutes. Eight minutes. Ten minutes. And then…”I’m Done!” Ugh!

Early finishers – Again!

Does this sound all too familiar? I needed an early finisher “stash” in addition to daily assignments.

I NEEDED MORE FOR MY EARLY FINISHERS

More tasks that would keep my early finishers engaged and challenged. 

After learning the hard way that you just must have an early finisher “stash”, I began creating challenges that my teammates and I could use to keep those eager minds learning. I created challenges that were targeted to problem-solving and not just fluff. Challenges that required using mental math. And, challenges that were engaging enough to prevent off-task behaviors.

As a result, the early finisher tasks were so successful in our classrooms, that I want to share them with you, too.

EARLY FINISHERs CHALLENGES

These tasks will raise the rigor and give you the completed models you need for having your students create your “stash” of challenges. We usually print them out and laminate them so students can write directly on them. However, if we want a record of their thinking, students work in their math notebook. But, we keep it simple and easy to manage.

This first early finisher activity focuses on number sense and the guess and check strategy. It helps students make connections to prior learning and lets them know that they will continue using what they’ve learned.

Students enjoy using the guess and check strategy because it helps them see that a wrong answer is not a bad thing! A wrong answer is something to learn from and find a better answer. And, it helps them feel safe to try new ideas and solutions.

A wrong answer can be powerful when used to enrich thinking.

free-early-finishers-gifted-math-challenges #fastfinisher #mathchallenges

 

APPLYING SKILLS IN EXTENSIONS FOR YOUR EARLY FINISHERS

Not just our early finishers, but all of our kids L-O-V-E these “algebra” activities included in the resource below.

They have to apply what they know about facts, and then, guess and check to find the exact numbers that will work for each letter. There is so much great mathematical thinking in these as well as great fun.early-finishers-fast-finisher-tasks #mathprintables #earlyfinishers

When students complete a challenge, it makes them feel math smart. They just know that they “can do it”. And that’s wonderful because it helps to build their math confidence which helps to build perseverance in solving problems. And that helps with mathematical attitudes. It’s an all-around win!

To receive a free resource of challenges for your early finishers, subscribe below!

 
If you want even more with absolutely no prep for you, the early finishers bundle below has over 130 digital and print challenges that you can have ready-to-go in your early finisher stash. I think you’ll love them! 😊

When you hear that first, “I’m done!!”, you’ll be ready to turn waiting time into learning time.

early-finishers-math-gifted-challenges-free #earlyfinishers #gifted

Thanks!

And as always . . .

sum-math-fun-bylineLeah-Popinski-sum-math-fun

I love this organizer! I have two of them and keep them stuffed with half-page task cards! The lid is helpful because I can take it off for students and then put it back on for stacking and for summer storage.  The dividers are easily labeled and keep everything organized. 

 

Task Card Plastic StoragePlease consider using the affiliate link embedded in the photo to purchase the organizer. This means when you click the link and purchase,

I earn a small percentage, but the price remains the same for you. Thank you!

small colored envelopes for task cards

If you are interested in the colored small envelopes to store sets of task cards, you can find them at the affiliate link embedded in the photo. Having the colored envelopes makes organization even easier plus adds a pop of color. 🙂

Early Finishers and Gifted - {Free} PrintablesEarly Finishers and Gifted - {Free} Printables
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Filed Under: Grades 3-4, Grades 4-5 Tagged With: early finishers, fast finishers, free printables, gifted, math challenges

« I’m a Wanted Number! Reviewing Number Properties
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Comments

  1. Jen says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I don’t mind my kids reading but I am a total book nerd. Your freebie looks great and useful.

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:49 pm

      I love reading! Really I do! It’s just that during math class, I feel such urgency to get everything in that I want every minute for focused math thinking. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Hilary says

    February 20, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Great post! Thanks for the freebie.

    Reply
  3. Bailey says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you for the freebie! Great idea to get the students to continue with Math once they’re “done.”

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      July 10, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      You’re welcome, Bailey. I’m glad you found the freebie.

      Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    February 20, 2017 at 11:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing! It can be difficult to find quality work for early finishers 🙂

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      Yes, I agree. I like focused work. I’m not a fan of just, “Practice math”. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kathy Simpson says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:16 am

    It is so important to have lessons ready to go for Early finishers. This looks like a fabulous resource!

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks, Kathy! Early finishers can really become rowdy if not truly engaged! I really need something on-hand and ready-to-go. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nancy says

    February 21, 2017 at 6:38 am

    So great to have this for spare time. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:44 pm

      You’re welcome, Nancy! I truly love sharing all the many (and sometimes crazy) ideas in this head!

      Reply
  7. Julie R. says

    February 22, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:42 pm

      You’re welcome, Julie! I hope the challenges are perfect for what you need.

      Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      July 23, 2017 at 10:43 pm

      You’re welcome, Julie! I hope the tasks work well for you and your class.

      Reply
  8. Joyce Lansky says

    June 13, 2017 at 4:36 am

    This is always needed.

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      July 5, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      Yes, I agree, Joyce. Always!

      Reply
  9. Christine says

    January 18, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    I taught 2nd and 3rd grade gifted students for 12 years and it always was a challenge to satisfy my early finishers (whether in a gifted classroom or not actually) so I too created a go to “challenge” bin with activities such as these. I could use some fresh resources so thanks for the freebies!! I also had a menu of early finish items posted in my classroom as a visual for those who are quick to say, I’m done!” There is always one! Thanks for sharing your resources!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      January 18, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      You’re welcome, Christine! I love using menus, too. Kids love the choices that the menus provide.

      Reply
  10. Stacy Gordon says

    January 2, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    Hi. Happy New Years! I am excited to try this resource, but can’t find where I need to go to purchase. I signed up for a free resource, but do you sell these on TPT? Any and all help will be appreciated!!

    Reply
    • Leah Popinski says

      April 4, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      Hi Stacy, yes, I do have these on TpT and in my website store. Here is the TpT link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Early-Finishers-Math-Enrichment-Activities-for-Fast-Finishers-Print-and-Digital-1432132
      Here is my website store link: https://www.summathfun.com/product/early-finishers-gifted-homework-extensions-bundled/
      I’m really glad you found the freebie. I think you’ll love these for your early finishers! 🙂
      -Leah

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. No More, "I'm Done!" Fast Finishers Solved! - Sum Math Fun says:
    June 18, 2018 at 11:06 am

    […] happens with every assignment, in every class. Early finishers, fast finishers, the speedsters, whatever you call them, they show up. They can add so much to a classroom, but what do you do […]

    Reply
  2. Four Simple Strategies for Successful Teaching Before Christmas Break - Sum Math Fun says:
    June 30, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    […] Using these teaching strategies, I created these no prep Christmas word problems for third grade. There is also a set for fourth and second grades in my store. A link is at the end of this post. If you have early finishers or gifted students who need more extensions, check out this post for tips and ideas! […]

    Reply

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