Create a Classroom “Busy Bin” for Fast Finishing Students
We all have them… the students who finish an activity within 5 minutes of assigning it! After they’ve double-checked for their name, double-checked their work, added extra details, and made sure it was tip-top quality, it’s time for them to head to the “Busy Bin.” The Busy Bin is exactly what you think it is. It’s a space where early-finishing students can grab something to work on that’s meaningful, fun, and easy for me to prep for them. Read below to see exactly what I keep in my Busy Bin during the school year to help keep these fast finishers engaged and busy! The best part? All of the busy bin choices require ZERO PREP! Just print and go!
The “Busy Bin Choices” labels and expectations poster are located HERE!
These printable math pages are fun AND they focus on all of the different math concepts that first graders must learn throughout the year.
You can put pages in your busy bin that focus on whatever math skill you are currently working on, or you can print pages for past skills so that students get a spiral review of all skills throughout the year.
These Science of Reading based sorts focus on over 25 phonics skills. There are several differentiated levels for you to choose from.
Place sorts in your busy bin that focus on the current phonics skill level, or print pages from past skills that students should have mastered and should continue to practice.
Students always love these, and the seasonal aspect keeps them fresh and exciting. Print all of the phonics and math color by codes for the season/holiday and place them in a single drawer of the busy bin for students to grab and go.
Grammar is something that I always feel gets “grazed over” a little too quickly. These fun and engaging printable pages will help students practice grammar concepts all year long after they have been introduced to them.
These games focus on a variety of appropriate math skills for the time of year, and they can be played individually or with a partner.
I keep dice/spinners in the drawer with these games and switch them out monthly. Students always get excited about these.
Phonics Word Sorts
These are also Science of Reading based phonics word sorts, but they do not contain pictures. There are tons of phonics skills for students to practice.
Print the current skill, or print skills previously learned so that students get a spiral review.
I love using keeping these things in the Busy Bin because it makes it SO easy to manage for my fast/early finishers. I rarely have to check on it/keep up with it.
Let me know if you end up using any of these items in your Busy Bin!
