In the case that a lesson or activity in class ends earlier than expected and the students become restless, the teacher will lead the students in any of the following activities. I have compiled these activities to make sure the students are still performing academic practices even when unexpected extra time arises. Every minute that the students are in school is an opportunity to learn. I also want students to know that learning can be fun! I have chosen a variety of subject area sponge activities that could be easily related to previous lessons or ideas the students are learning at the time.
Sponge ActivityFlashlight Vocabulary Words
(Roberts, 2013) Read Aloud Hangman with Vocabulary Words Description Writing Exercise ("Educational sponge activities," ) Create a Story Mad Libs ("Rainy day recess," 2012) Guess the Title ("Educational sponge activities," ) Story Chain ("Educational sponge activities," ) Expand A Sentence ("Rainy day recess," 2012) Word Searches ("Rainy day recess," 2012) Story Starters (McCormick, 2013) Math Bingo |
Explanation/DetailsIf enough time allows, have all students take turns with the flashlight. If not enough time choose 5 students to use the flashlight. Put recently learned or covered vocabulary words on the white board or on the ceiling on star-shaped papers. Turn the lights off and say the following
"Flashlight, flashlight Oh, so bright! Shine on the word word that means ________________ with all your light!" The student with the flashlight shines their flashlight on that word. This could also be done in groups if you have multiple flashlights. Read the novel you are reading currently to the class out loud from where you left off. For younger grades, have story books on handy to read during extra time. Play hangman. Have a student think of one of the vocabulary words currently being taught or learned. The students must guess one of the words on the list. Present an object to the class. Have the students use describing words to list characteristics about the object. Talk about these words. Ask students the importance of using descriptive words in their writings. Have the students write about the object if extra time remains. Have the class as a whole create a story together. Have one student come up to the board and draw a picture. The next student adds more to the picture, and so on. After the class has gone through the pictures have the students start coming up with stories about the picture. Have students complete a mad libs to work on language arts skills. Read a short story book to the class. Have the students come up with titles for the books. Discuss why the students chose the titles they did. Arrange the class in a circle on the floor. Pick one student to start a story with one or two sentences. Students continue around the circle with each adding another sentence or two to the story. Topics can either be chosen by the teacher or the students. Start with a very simple sentence written on the board such as "The boy jumped." Insert marks where you want students to add words or underline words that you want students to exchange for synonyms. Have the students expand on the sentence and then read their sentences aloud. Have the students complete word searches. These could be especially helpful for ESL students, sight word practice, or sounding-out practice. Give the students a starting line or few words of a sentence. Have the students finish the story. Challenge them to use their imaginations. Play Bingo with the students. Have the bingo calls be math problems based on the grade level of the students. For example call out (15 + 23) and if students have the number 38 on their sheets they would put a chip on that spot. |