No matter what I prepare there are always pupils who race through everything and use up my prepared lessons. What to do?

Posted by: Anonymous User

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Don't over prepare just to keep pupils busy and use up all your good ideas!

You have to plan for a range of abilities in your classroom as no two pupils will respond in the same way to your lessons.

Extensions to lessons are not all about writing and handing in papers to mark. Use other styles of learning. The most able need support too! Have a range of items available to push those who finish early. Try to think why they are finishing their work so quickly, is it difficult enough in the first place?

Never just give a pupil something to keep them busy, always have a point to your learning programmes.

Posted by: GTC Scotland

A good idea I have seen recently is to have a white board at the front of the class with 4 activities on - for when pupils are finished and waiting for next task - these include how many ways can you make (any number - giving problem solving and basic maths practice); tell me about ( any subject - fav toy, food,the news last night etc - giving additional writing); find the meaning of (any word of choice) and find something about (ES based or Health etc). Those can be done in separate jotter and not for close marking.

Also good is to get the pupils to devise games for maths concepts, make a game with a partner, work in pairs to practice tables.

Posted by: susan quinn

(This was posted on our previous discussion forum. It will not be possible to contact the user direct.)