Free Early Finishers Activities and Monthly Choice Boards
The four words no teacher wants to hear: “I’m done! Now what?” I don’t know about you, but those words make me shudder, and I can feel the stress rise from their utterance. Why? Because I want my students engaged and learning during class time. Without a plan, early finishers activities can make or break your classroom management. Activities for early finishers ensure those students stay productive while maintaining a peaceful environment for others who are still working.
The challenge is balancing these needs effectively.
The solution? Providing ready-to-go early finisher activities that keep students learning, minimize disruptions, and encourage independence.
Thankfully, in this post, I’m going to share practical and creative activities for fast finishers that you can implement right away. In addition, you’ll get access to a free download with four choice boards packed with engaging tasks to make early finishing a breeze. Furthermore, you’ll learn how monthly early finisher choice boards can save you time and energy all year long.
Early Finishers Activities for a Smooth-Running Classroom
Prevent classroom disruptions by keeping fast finishers engaged
When students finish their work early, they often seek attention or become restless, which can disrupt the learning environment for others. However, providing structured early finisher activities helps redirect their energy and keeps the classroom running smoothly. With a variety of engaging tasks ready, you can ensure all students stay focused and productive.
Encourage independent, meaningful learning with activities that challenge students
Early finisher activities aren’t just “busywork.” They should be meaningful and encourage students to apply what they’ve learned in creative ways. For example, tasks like exploring a new topic, solving puzzles, or completing writing prompts allow fast finishers to take ownership of their learning while reinforcing key skills.
Foster creativity and critical thinking with choice-based tasks
Choice-based activities, such as those found on these free early finisher choice boards, empower students to select tasks that interest them. Additionally, it promotes autonomy, also stimulating creativity and critical thinking. For example, students might write a story, create an invention, or tackle a problem-solving challenge while staying engaged and learning.
Free Download: 4 Early Finishers Activities Choice Boards to Use Right Now
What’s Included in the Free Download?
Your free download includes four versatile choice boards packed with 64 activities for students to choose from when they finish their work early. Specifically, these activities focus on real-world skills, creativity, and concepts that keep learning fun and engaging.
How to Use the Choice Boards in Your Classroom:
- Print and laminate the boards for repeated use.
- Display them on a bulletin board or in a designated early finisher area.
- Set expectations: Students can grab a choice board whenever they finish an assignment.
Teacher Tips: For durable choice boards that last all year, consider printing them on high-quality card stock before laminating. Card stock like this one is sturdy enough to withstand daily use by students.
To make your choice boards last longer, consider laminating them. A good laminator, like the one featured here, can save you time and ensure your choice boards stay in great shape all year long.
The Ultimate Solution: Monthly Early Finishers Choice Boards
Why Monthly Choice Boards Are a Game-Changer
Imagine never having to scramble for early finisher activities again. My monthly early finisher choice boards are pre-filled with engaging tasks tailored to each month.
These versatile choice boards offer students a monthly menu of engaging early finisher activities they can complete quietly at their desks.
They aren’t just simple filler tasks. They’re meaningful early finisher tasks that help students practice real-world skills and concepts.
How Early Finishers Activities Work:
- This set includes twelve choice boards for fast finishers (twelve additional options beyond the freebie).
- Each board includes 16 quiet, independent activities each month.
- These monthly boards are non-seasonal and can be used in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres.
- They come in three versions: full color, ink-saving, and black-and-white.
- Teachers can use them for morning work, fast finishers, or even homework.
What Teachers Are Saying About This Resource:
“Before I started using these choice boards, it was tough to keep my classroom calm with early finishers. Now, the kids who used to be disruptive are quietly focused on fun tasks like writing or solving puzzles. These choice boards have cut down on the chaos, helped them be more independent, and totally changed how I teach!” – M. Harper, 4th grade teacher
If you love the idea of structured, ready-to-use activities, you might also enjoy my blog post on Monthly Writing Prompts Choice Boards. Likewise, these writing choice boards provide a similar framework for keeping students engaged while tapping into their creativity and building their confidence as writers.
5 Ways to Incorporate Early Finishers Activities into Your Routine
- Designate an early finisher zone: Create a dedicated space where students know they can go to find activities or grab a choice board. Or keep distractions to a minimum by having students keep these choice boards for fast finishers at their desks. They can easily pull them out to refer to when they encounter any downtime in the classroom.
- Rotate activities monthly: Keep the excitement alive by updating the choice boards with new monthly activities.
- Use early finisher activities to foster real-world skills: Many tasks on these choice boards include real-world activities like budgeting a pretend trip, writing a persuasive letter, or creating a new invention.
- Encourage collaboration among students: Some choice board activities can be redesigned for small-group work, for fostering teamwork, and for peer learning. However, these choice boards are intended to be used independently and quietly at students’ desks.
- Reward creativity and effort: Use positive reinforcement to acknowledge and celebrate students who dive into early finisher activities during independent work time.
Early finisher activities can also serve as an opportunity to build social-emotional skills in the classroom. Check out my blog post on Social Emotional Learning in Upper Elementary for more ideas on fostering collaboration and incorporating brain breaks.
Keep Early Finishers Learning All Year Long
Early finishers don’t have to be a classroom challenge—they can be an opportunity for growth and engagement! Luckily, with these free choice boards and my monthly early finisher boards, you’ll have a toolbox of activities to keep your students motivated and on-task every day of the year.
Grab Your Free Download:
Start by downloading your free set of early finisher choice boards. With four boards and 64 activities, you’ll have everything you need to start today!
Upgrade Your Classroom Routine:
If you love the freebie, you’ll adore my monthly early finisher choice boards. Packed with 192 engaging activities for the year, these boards are a teacher’s best friend.
Save this idea for later!
Don’t you hate it when you come across a great idea only to forget where you found it? Pinterest is my go-to solution for keeping everything organized! Pin this post to your Classroom Ideas board now, so you’ll have these early finisher activities at your fingertips whenever you need them. Click the image below to save it!
This Post Has 48 Comments
Hi Colleen,
I haven’t even thought about making these choice boards digital! That’s a great idea! I don’t really have the time right now, but I’ll put it on my to-do list. 🙂 You could always print/save the PDF as images (PNGs or JPEGs) and upload them to Google Slides. That shouldn’t take long. Then, students can respond to the choice board activities in Google Slides.
I do not see the link to download these FREE Choice Boards. Can you point me in the right direction?
Hi Katie,
If you scroll up just a little bit, you’ll see a signup form. Enter your name and email address and they’ll be delivered straight to your inbox! 🙂
Hi Kim, I have tried entering my name and email multiple times and I still have not received the choice boards. Am I missing something? Thanks!
Hi Jillian,
This email was delivered to your inbox on July 5, 2021, but it was not opened. Since it’s already been sent, my email provider won’t send it again. I’ll try sending it to you through my email. If you don’t receive it, feel free to email me at [email protected]. 🙂
Good morning!
I’m sorry but I can’t figure out where to sign up for your blog and get the free choice boards. Please help!
Hi Dee,
If you scroll up just a little bit, you’ll see a signup form. Enter your name and email address and they’ll be delivered straight to your inbox! 🙂
Thanks! These look great.
Thank you, Joyce! I hope you enjoy using them!
How long do you use the choice board for ?Do you change these out weekly ?
Hi Jenna,
You would want to use them until your students have completed the majority of the activities. Since these are for early finishers, it will depend on how much free time students have once they’ve finished an assignment. I hope that helps!
Hi, I signed up for the Free Choice Boards, but they never came to my email address or even SPAM.
Hi Margy!
The email shows that it was sent, so I’m not sure what happened to it. Email me at [email protected] and I’ll send them your way! 🙂
Hi! I’ve signed up but I haven’t received the email yet.
Hi Naty!
Ignore the earlier reply, I did find you in my subscribers! It shows you signed up to receive the choice boards and they were delivered to your Gmail address on Jan 4 at 10:19am. Could you check your spam and promotions folder? If you can’t find the email, let me know. If you want to search, the email is titled: 🎉 Free Choice Boards for Early Finishers
Hi Kim!!!
I signed up to receive your awesome choice boards, but haven’t received them. I also purchased your spelling choice boards and I can’t wait to use them. I didn’t have any issues there.
Hi Quinn!
Can you email me at [email protected]? I’ll send them to you!
Hi Chris,
Can you email me at [email protected], and I’ll send them to you!
Sorry. I didn’t see this reply. I just emailed you. Thanks so much!
No worries! I just sent them to you! 🙂
I’ve tried twice and still haven’t received anything in my email.
Hi April,
It shows that you’ve opened the email. Is it possible that you deleted it? Email me at [email protected] and I’ll send them to you!
Hi! I love your site! I would love these choice boards but can’t seem to see where you are pointing others to a box to enter my email? Would you mind sending directly and adding me to your list? Thank you!
Hi Sabrina,
The form is at the bottom of the page, but I went ahead and added you to the list. You should get an email from me with a link to download the choice boards. If you don’t, let me know!:)
Hi Aimie,
Can you email me at [email protected]? I’ll send them to you!
Hi Megan,
I’m so sorry, but at this time, I do not have an editable version of this resource.
Hi Ingrid,
Can you try downloading the choice boards from home? You shouldn’t have any trouble at home. 🙂
Hi! I signed up for the free choice boards but haven’t received them yet.
Hi Amy,
Can you please check your spam folder? If you still don’t see them, feel free to email at [email protected] and I’ll send them to you!
I checked my spam folder and I still don’t have them.
Hey Amy!
I just emailed them to you. Check your email! Let me know if you didn’t receive it. 🙂
Hi there, I’ve tried to download this resource and have checked spam folder over the last few days. Please advise?
Hi Lauren,
This email shows that it was delivered on August 19. If you will email me at [email protected], I’ll send you them to you.
is there somewhere can buy more of these?
Hi Aletha,
I only have this one free set. Sorry!
I am unable to download the choice boards because it requires me to purchase a DropBox membership. Can you offer a free option for accessing this resource?
Hi Amy,
You don’t need to purchase Dropbox to download the choice board. After opening them, just click the download button in the top right corner. 🙂
Hi Salena,
Email me at [email protected], and I’ll send them your way! 🙂
Hello! I have entered my email but am yet to receive download link?
Hi Katie,
I checked, and this email was delivered to your inbox on January 26. It has not been opened, so please check your spam and promotions folder! 🙂
Hi Kim,
I can find the link on the page, but I have emailed you for a request of the choice boards.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Sally,
You should now have an email with the choice boards in your inbox. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder. 🙂
Hello,
I signed up with my email yesterday, but haven’t received the freebie choice boards in my inbox yet. How long does it take to receive the email?
Thank you,
Hi Nancy,
I don’t see that you’ve signed up with this email address. You may want to try again, or feel free to email me at [email protected].
Hi! I´m Claudia from Mexico City, I asked for the “I´m done! Now what? CHOICE BOARD, but I didn´t receive it, and it´s not in my SPAM folder, can you please help me?
Hi Claudia,
The email was sent to you. Please check your spam and promotional folders. If you don’t see it, feel free to email me at [email protected], and I’ll send them to you!
I did not get the email
Hi Kylie,
The email was sent to you. Please check your spam and promotional folders. If you don’t see it, feel free to email me at [email protected], and I’ll send them to you!