“I’m Done! What Do I Do Now?”

I don’t want to hear my students tell me “I’m done! What do I do now?”  I want my students to be self-sufficient and know what is expected of them.  I am sure, if you are taking the time to read this post, you are like me, and you enjoy a structured and well-oiled classroom environment.  I prevent the dreaded praise with a “What Do I Do When I’m Done” list. I hang the list above my center board and will just point to it when a student comes up to me.  I have even seen students direct their peers to the sign.  Once the routines have been established, we no longer need to refer to it.  I also create something I call a monthly “Bonus Packet.”  The “Bonus Packet” contains all those “fluff” worksheets that you no longer have time for, bundled together, double-sided, and duplicated for each student.  The “Bonus Packets” are also great for indoor recess.  I make “Bonus Packets” a recess station (I will post on recess stations soon. Thanks for your comments on my photos from the Mr. Moo post!).  I have included these freebies as samples from my Back to School Organization Forms & More Packet and my Back to School Writing Prompts and Activities Packet.  Click {here} and {here} to check out the samples.