Hey there, Joyful Journey Makers! Let’s talk about something that every teacher needs in their back pocket—early finisher activities. You know the drill: you’ve just wrapped up a lesson, most students are still working, but there’s always that one student (or a few) who finishes early and is ready to move on. That’s where having engaging, purposeful activities like my FREE Los Colores Spanish Colors Coloring Page comes in handy.
In this post, we’ll dive into what early finisher activities are, why they’re important for classroom management, and how they help with ongoing learning and autonomy. Plus, we’ll talk about the science behind why keeping those fast-finishers engaged matters, and how my FREE coloring activity fits into the mix.
What Are Early Finisher Activities?
Early finisher activities are tasks designed for students who complete their main work before their classmates. These activities aren’t just fillers—they’re opportunities for continued learning. The goal is to keep students engaged in something meaningful while waiting for the rest of the class to catch up. And let’s be honest, a well-designed early finisher activity can make or break a lesson. When students are left to their own devices (literally), they can easily get off task or become disruptive.
So, how do we ensure early finishers are still learning while keeping the classroom atmosphere calm and productive?
The Science of Keeping Students Engaged
Here’s what the research tells us: having engaging activities at the ready helps prevent behavioral issues and keeps the learning momentum going. According to neuroscience, students benefit from having clear expectations and structured tasks, especially when they’ve finished early. If their brains are allowed to wander too much, they lose focus, which can lead to distractibility and even disruptions (Willis, 2010).
By offering low-pressure, independent tasks like coloring or quiet reading, you create an environment where students can self-regulate and continue practicing what they’ve learned. It’s also an excellent opportunity to reinforce vocabulary or other skills without overwhelming them with new information.
Why Early Finisher Activities Are Important for Classroom Management
- Promotes Autonomy: Early finisher activities encourage students to take control of their own learning. They know that when they finish, they’ll have something else to work on independently. This builds autonomy and gives them the confidence to navigate tasks on their own.
- Keeps the Classroom Calm: Instead of early finishers walking around or distracting their peers, a well-prepped early finisher activity keeps them focused and calm. It’s a great classroom management tool that prevents those “I’m done, what now?” moments.
- Reinforces Learning: These activities give students the chance to review and reinforce what they’ve learned, rather than just waiting for the next lesson. In the case of my FREE Los Colores Spanish Colors Coloring Page, students get to practice color words and numbers in Spanish while having fun coloring.
Pitfalls of Early Finisher Activities (And How to Avoid Them)
- Pitfall: Busy Work
Sometimes, early finisher activities end up being busy work—tasks that don’t actually contribute to student learning and are just meant to fill time.
The Fix: Choose activities that have a purpose, like reinforcing key vocabulary, practicing handwriting, or providing creative outlets. For example, my Los Colores Coloring Page isn’t just coloring for coloring’s sake—it encourages students to practice saying colors out loud in Spanish while they match colors to numbers. - Pitfall: No Clear Expectations
Without clear expectations, students might rush through their main work just to get to the early finisher activity or not engage with it at all.
The Fix: Set clear rules for early finisher activities. Let students know that finishing early means moving on to something equally important, like practicing their Spanish colors or numbers. And make sure they understand that the quality of their work on the primary task still matters. - Pitfall: Lack of Engagement
If the early finisher activity isn’t engaging, students might still get off-task or lose focus, which defeats the purpose of having the activity in the first place.
The Fix: Keep it fun and interactive! In my Los Colores Coloring Page, students are tracing, coloring, and practicing their Spanish at the same time. It’s engaging, low-stress, and still reinforces what they’ve learned.
Get Your FREE Resource: Spanish Days of the Week Riddler Card Game (El Acertijo)
Now, let’s talk about how my FREE Los Colores Spanish Colors Coloring Page fits into your early finisher activity plan. It’s simple, effective, and—most importantly—engaging for students who finish early but still need something to keep them focused.
What’s Included:
- Color-by-Number Practice: Students match Spanish color words like “rojo” (red), “verde” (green), and “azul” (blue) to their corresponding numbers and color the image accordingly. This keeps them engaged in a multisensory learning experience.
- Reinforces Vocabulary: As they work, students are reinforcing their understanding of color words in Spanish. Plus, you can have them say the colors out loud while they color, practicing speaking as well as reading.
- Low-Stress Learning: Coloring is a low-pressure, calming activity that still serves a purpose. It keeps students relaxed while they practice their vocabulary in a creative and hands-on way.
5 Ways to Use This Activity in Your Classroom
- Early Finisher Activity: Keep copies of this FREE Los Colores Coloring Page handy for early finishers. It’s a quick, low-prep way to keep them busy while reinforcing their Spanish color vocabulary.
- Morning Work: Use this coloring page as a calm morning activity to ease students into the day. It’s a simple, quiet task that sets a positive tone while they practice their Spanish.
- Homework: Send the worksheet home as a fun homework assignment. Students can practice their Spanish colors at home, and you’ll know they’re staying engaged with the language even outside of class.
- Partner Work: Pair students up and have them work together to complete the worksheet, with one student saying the color in Spanish and the other coloring. This adds a collaborative element to the activity.
- Classroom Decoration: After students finish, use their work to create a Los Colores classroom display. It’s a great way to celebrate their progress and keep the vocabulary visible and fresh in their minds.
The Gist of it All
Having engaging early finisher activities at the ready is a game-changer for classroom management and ongoing learning. With my FREE Los Colores Spanish Colors Coloring Page, your students will stay calm, focused, and—most importantly—learning while practicing their Spanish colors. Whether it’s used as a quick finisher activity, morning work, or homework, this resource keeps students engaged in a fun and meaningful way.
Learn a language – but make it fun (go ahead and download your copy!)!
Resources
Willis, J. (2010). The neuroscience of learning: Principles and applications. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 16(3), 186-193.
Center for Effective Reading Instruction, & International Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). Phonics Instruction: The Value of a Multi-sensory Approach. Reading Rockets.