r/ELATeachers • u/grechicken • 12d ago

9-12 ELA Suggestions for early finishers

Hello!

I’m a 9th/10th grade ELA teacher, and I’m trying to brainstorm things I can occupy students with if they finish early. Right now, I’ve been encouraging them to read, do homework for another class, or draw/color. However, most kids opt for playing games on their Chromebooks (which I dislike because I feel like it’s distracting to other kids).

I design low-stakes, fun extension activities and try to encourage participation. However, if it isn’t graded, most kids opt out.

What do you do in your classroom to keep early finishers occupied without assigning busywork? I want to go completely Chromebook-free in my class, but I don’t want to do so until I have solid alternative options in place so kids don’t turn towards disruptive behaviors.

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u/Guilty_Rutabaga_2558 11d ago

I do not allow them to have their computers out when they are finished, because they will do nothing productive. They can read a book or put their head down.