Simple and Successful Early Finisher Vocabulary Strategy

As I have gotten more involved with more elementary teachers, both through forums and blogs and through being in a K-8 building, instead of a high school, I have come across the idea of "early finisher" activities.  This is not a common phenomenon in high school classroom.  However, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve that might be helpful to keep in mind as you are thinking about setting up a classroom for fall.  Here is what I do for early finishers:

1. Start homework
2. Make up work
3. Vocabulary Review - They can work on words from the current unit, or past units.  They can work with a partner and quiz each other, or they can work on the vocabulary cards by themselves.  

I am trying to a new system to organize them this year.  I am using on of the hanging shoe organizers (at Aldi for $2.99 last week).  In each pocket of the shoe organizer is a set of vocabulary words for that unit, definitions, and an answer key (words and definitions correctly matched up).  Students can spread out the words and definitions, and try to match them up.  They can then use the key to check their answers.  As things picks up during the year, they can time themselves and I have a record board.  For additional extra credit, they can write them out, draw pictures, etc. 

If you teach in a secondary setting, what is your best use of time for early finishers?  

Monthly Linky

I would like to do a monthly linky.  It will run as follows:

• Each month will have a theme
• The linky will be posted on 15th of the month.  It will be open until the next one opens.
• You may post a link to website or free resource, or a paid product.  
• If you post a paid product, you must note that it is paid.  If it is paid and not shown, the link will be removed.

The theme for July is Summer Fun or Summer Learning Resources.  For example: A seasonal activity, a fun activity that would be good to do with kids at home or in a day camp situation, or anything else related to summer, or learning outside the classroom.

Please link up, and feel free to share!

Get This Free Middle School Vocabulary Menu Download

I wanted to share with you my vocabulary menu homework that I use.  I give this often for weekly homework.  Students choose 1 or 2 of the methods to review the week's vocabulary terms.  They like the choice, and are able to choose the methods that work best for them.