07/04/2022
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▪ What do we really mean by the term “fast finisher”?
▪ What is their impact on the YL classroom?
▪ How can we mitigate any negative impacts?
▪ What activities are best for fast finishers?
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IMPOSTER ALERT!
learners who haven’t actually finished the task
▪ may not have understood the task
▪ may not be motivated to do the task
▪ may think finishing fast is desirable
▪ may be rushing to get to something ‘better’
▪ are still a classroom issue!
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REAL DEAL
learners who have genuinely completed the task
▪ are not automatically “smarter” or “better”
▪ may be stronger at this particular skill
▪ may have already studied this language point
▪ may just be more confident
▪ deserve to be appropriately challenged and given
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enough support to keep developing to the full 5
extent of their abilities
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Finished, I’m I’m bored!
teacher! done.
Now
what? Miss!
What’s Miss!
next? Miss!
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The Non-FF The FF The Teacher
▪ Feels inferior / stupid ▪ May rush to get to the ▪ Under pressure to
/ ‘not good enough’ “fun stuff” and not manage competing
check work or student needs and
▪ Will lose confidence complete tasks fully demands for attention
and motivation as a
result ▪ May get bored and ▪ May spend too much
act out or become a time planning “just in
▪ May not get enough classroom distraction case” - leading to
teacher support stress and burn-out
▪ This creates a
▪ This creates a negative cycle ▪ This creates a
negative cycle negative cycle
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▪ Think about pairings
and groupings
▪ Set clear expectations
for what ‘finished’
CURE actually means
▪ Use time-bound
PREVENTION activities
▪ Differentiate by output
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Eliminate “shouting out”, frantic
waving, and other things learners
do to get the teacher’s attention.
They want you to They want to know
check their work what to do next
Turn being a FF into a
Set up discreet
routine learners can
visual signals instead
do independently
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Image: https://st.depositphotos.com/1695366/1395/v/950/depositphotos_13950685-stock-illustration-cartoon-eager-student.jpg
Set up discreet
visuals signals
instead
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Turn being a FF into a
routine learners can
do independently
As children become increasingly familiar with routines and what
is expected of them at different stages of learning, they act with
greater autonomy. This also helps you to manage your classes
positively. It also helps save your energy and voice (highly
important if you are teaching full-time) as, in some areas at
least, once routines are established, children will only need a
prompt to know what to do.
www.britishcouncil.org Read, C. (2007) - 500 Activities for the 13
Primary Classoom - Macmillan Education
Turn being a FF into a
routine learners can
do independently
Keep it: Simple Broad Bonus
And remember - routines take time to set up and automatize!
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Do another 2…
Help your classmate…
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✓ Cooperative or competitive
✓ Connected to current topic/theme
✓ Offers chance to review or extend
✓ Easy exit points
✓ Can last several lessons
✓ Reasonably prep and materials light
✓ Easy to give feedback on
✓ Silent! (or whispers, maybe)
✓ Learners already know what to do!
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✓ Learners can self-differentiate for
level and interest
✓ Reading is one of the best ways to
develop in a language
✓ Doesn’t interfere with curriculum
progress
✓ Silent
✓ No instructions needed
✓ No teacher prep or marking!
Can be resource intensive
Not always ideal for very short
periods of time
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https://www.kidsartncraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DIY-Creative-Reading-Corner-Ideas-for-Kids-1000x600.jpg
✓ Offers chances to review or
extend
✓ Really promotes learner choice
and voice
✓ Can be adapted for level or age
✓ Last for several lessons or a full
topic
✓ Can focus on specific skills if
required
Can take some time to prepare
and make
Learners may need support for
some options
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✓ Fabulous for reviewing material ✓ Has a sense of purpose for the
learner
✓ Offers diagnostic opportunities
✓ Materials light
✓ Easy exit points
✓ Practices question form!
✓ No teacher prep (actually creates
materials for you to use later!) Requires a certain language level
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✓ Allows students to exercise right to
choose
✓ Can last forever (might need topping up)
✓ Offers chance to review or extend
Can be labour intensive to create
Learners may need support for some
options
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