First Grade MATH Early Finisher Activities – Write and Wipe Boards

Description This set of 62 Early Finisher Activities for MATH gives students independent practice with all first grade Common Core Math skills. Early Finisher Activities are the EASIEST way to manage your firsties who finish assignments early.   Just imagine… no more hearing, “I’m done! Now What?”   Sounds exciting, huh?   Well, the reason these activities are so easy to use is that they are INSTANT Write on/Wipe off work mats that require NO PREP once you have the first set made.   You just choose the skills your students are ready to practice on their own, grab the matching math mats, and have them ready for students to grab and work on independently. You will also want to have plastic spinners or pencils and paperclips available for students to use.   The activities are designed to be flexible and/or open-ended. This allows them to be used over and over again by the same student, without them saying, “I’ve already done that one.”   Students write on the mats with dry-erase markers, then simply erase when done.   This means… No more searching for something extra for your fast finishers to do. No more copying extra worksheets. No more stacks of additional papers to correct! No more loud, off-task behaviors while others are finishing their work.   You and your students will LOVE them!   __________________________________________________________________   BENEFITS   CLEAR EXPECTATIONS – Your firsties will know exactly what to do when they finish assignments early.   NO PREP – Once the mats are made, your students will use them day after day. You literally just introduce the mats and have them available to be used.   COMMON CORE ALIGNED – There is an activity for EVERY first grade Common Core Math Standard.    STUDENT CHOICE – A variety of Early Finisher Mats are provided to increase motivation and keep your students engaged.   QUIET LEARNING ENVIRONMENT– Each activity is designed to be completed independently. Your fast finishers can work quietly as others finish their work.   NOTHING TO CORRECT – Students erase their mats and put them away for next time.   EASY TO STORE & MANAGE – The single page design with NO CARDS makes it unbelievably easy to store and use throughout the year. Just set out 5 at a time and swap out as you choose.   ___________________________________________________________________   WHO IS THIS RESOURCE FOR?   First grade teachers who need quick, easy to manage, meaningful math activities for fast finishers. Second grade teachers who have students who need independent practice with first grade math skills.   ___________________________________________________________________   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Are there any other ways this resource can be used? Yes! These activity mats are also perfect for entry tasks and/or independent math centers.   Is it best to use laminated copies of the mats or place them in erasable pockets? Both options work, so it really depends on your resources. We began using laminated copies because we didn’t have the money for a class set of Wipe-Off pockets. Once the mats were all laminated and cut out they were durable and VERY easy to use. However, they don’t clean up super well. The Wipe-Off pockets are nice because the plastic surface is easier to clean and students take ownership in keeping their pocket clean. Also, it isn’t necessary to laminate all the activity mats.   If students just erase their work, how do I know they practiced correctly? Good question! If time allows, we do a quick check before they erase. Another idea is to collect them periodically to quickly check when you have time, then have students erase.