Imagine (or think back) to that moment when you thought this math worksheet was going to take 20 minutes. When all of a sudden you have students coming up 10 minutes later claiming they’re “done.” Like any teacher would, you probably looked over their work and were mildly surprised when they were, in fact, done. As you look around your classroom, you see several students are still working but now you have these fast finishers to contend with. Do you give them more work? Do you give them “free time” and pray? If neither these seem like a good option, try having “STEMulating” math for fast finishers on hand!
What is a Fast Finisher?
A fast finisher is a student who rocks at a subject and doesn’t need as much time to complete an assignment. Once these students are done, they are either going to sit quietly and occupy themselves, cause a ruckus, or start a rebellion. While most students tend to be relatively good, elementary students are still kids and they are bound to get a little bit restless. Therefore, the potential for disruption is eminent. Having extra work for these fast finishers squashes boredom like a bug is the only way to sure they have something fun to do that is constructive but fun!
Laugh It Up!
One fast finisher math worksheet you can give your students who finish early will have them rolling with laughter. 
Fast finishers math jokes are a great way to give your students extra practice that is fun! While this started out as something extra to give a sub, it has quickly turned into something students ask for when have completed their work early.
These math jokes work like this. Students must solve math problems in order to answer the joke on the worksheet. Once they complete all the problems correctly, they will get the joke and be able to share it with all their friends and family. How fun is that!?
Post It!
Another way to keep these fast finishers busy while getting their math in is with posters around the room. Once your students have turned your worksheets in they can make a “tour” around the room. In each of your centers, hang a small math poster and put a stack of sticky notes or notecards. Have students figure out the problem and put them in a box with their name on it. You can check them out for “star” math points.
With this activity, it would be a good idea to have a stack of posters available that you can rotate. Something seasonal is always a fun way to go!
Ready…set…race!
Another great way to let your fast math finishers use their time is through practicing old skills and seeing how quickly they can get them done. Having addition, subtraction, multiplication, or simple division worksheets available and a few stopwatches can be really fun.
After students are finished with their work, have them pick up a past math worksheet, a stopwatch, and their time sheet. Then they can start their stopwatch and start the math problems. When they are done, have the student write their time on the top of the sheet. Then they should give it back to you for corrections. Once you give it back to them, they can write down how many were correct. This not only occupies them and gives them a goal, it teaches them how to keep record of their findings which is a STEMulating science skill!
That’s a Wrap!
Having fast finishers can be a blessing and a curse. If your students aren’t great at occupying themselves, fast finishers can make the class go crazy in a hurry. By always having something for students to do once they finish their work is a great way to maintain good classroom management while allowing your students to beef up their math skills even more! You can’t get much more STEMulating than that!
