The End of the Lesson: Calm or Chaos?

You know the moment.
That awkward window at the end of a task when one student finishes, then another... and before you know it, half the room is mentally halfway to lunch and the vibe is heading straight for chaotic.

It’s that classic recipe for classroom management carnage:
The task ends.
Time’s still ticking.
You’ve got disengagement brewing in the corners, students trailing off into off-task chatter, or doing the dreaded “I’m done!” lap of the classroom.

So—what now?

You need a plan.
Better yet? A routine that is consistent, student-driven, and packed with purpose.

Let’s build one.

Why a Routine for Early Finishers Is Non-Negotiable

When students finish early and there’s no structure in place, three things tend to happen:

👉 They switch off.
👉 They act out.
👉 They disrupt others.

But the real issue?
We often treat early finishing as a signal that they’re ready to move on—when really, we haven’t taught them to reflect on why they finished early.

Were they confident? Or just rushing?

Did they meet the expectations? Or breeze through without checking?

So let’s start there: reflection.

Step 1: The Self-Assessment Check-In

Before students launch into a new task—or into free-time chaos—we need them to pause and check:

Have I really finished?
Or have I just stopped?

Introduce a simple, consistent self-assessment checklist like this:

✅ I asked for help if I was confused
✅ I re-read my work to check for mistakes
✅ I corrected any mistakes I found
✅ I ticked off the success criteria
✅ I put the date and my name on the page
✅ I believe this is my best work

These prompts do more than stall time. They embed metacognition, reinforce expectations, and help students self-regulate before you even need to intervene.

Step 2: Make It Visible, Make It Routine

You can bring these prompts to life in whatever way works best for your classroom:

✏ An anchor chart on the wall
✏ A printed ‘early finishers’ slip
✏ A laminated checklist on desks
✏ A visual reminder on your projector screen

The point? Make it so routine that students don’t even need to ask you what to do next.

Reflection becomes the norm.
Self-direction becomes the goal.

Step 3: Provide Purposeful Choices

Once the self-check is done, students need a next step—not a free pass.

This is where your pre-prepared early finisher menu comes in.

Set up a system where students know they’ll:

👉 Stay engaged until the bell
👉 Work independently without disrupting others
👉 Keep building skills in a purposeful way

Here’s what I keep on hand:

1. A Menu of Early Finisher Tasks

This is a visual or written list of go-to options. It could include:

• Quiet reading

• Vocabulary practice

• Extension questions

• Journaling or free writing

• Unfinished work catch-up

• Class jobs or tidy-up tasks

Whatever suits your teaching context, it should be:

✔ Easy to access
✔ Aligned with your learning goals
✔ Calm and self-contained

2. A Folder Full of Ready-to-Go Printables

This is my just in case stash. It saves me time, saves my sanity, and has saved the day more times than I can count—especially when I’ve had to call in sick.

Some of my favourites?

• Themed extension worksheets

• Critical thinking prompts

• Creative writing starters

• Task card sets

These go in a central spot students know how to access—no permission required.

Want the Easy Button?

I’ve bundled everything into my Early Finishers Resource Pack:

✅ Printable checklists
✅ Task menus
✅ Templates you can adapt in minutes
✅ Training on how to teach it effectively

Because teacher time is precious—and I’d rather you didn’t reinvent the wheel.

👉 Grab the Early Finishers Bundle here

You don’t need to dread the “I’m done!” moments anymore.
With a clear routine, early finishers become reflective, engaged, and independent.

Let’s teach them what to do with their time—before they decide for themselves.

Sending calm classroom vibes your way 💛
Claire x