3 Steps for When Students Finish an Assignment

“I’m done!”

The phrase that makes every teacher cringe when they hear it 10 minutes into an assignment.

While we always want our students to take their time, so they can focus and do their best work, the fact is that we much teach them how to actually do this.

Reading the directions thoroughly, checking all the options before making a choice, and making connections with the material are all skills we teach our students to help them complete assignments.

But what about when the student finishes writing the very last word of their answer and immediately proclaim they are in fact, DONE.

What should they do next?

This post will outline 3 steps you should teach your students to complete when they are indeed, done with an assignment.

# 1 Review

Read back over the work you just completed. Look over your notes and activities from the lesson. Can you summarize what you learned in 3-4 sentences? Review again within the next 24 hour period.

#2 Overlearn

What were the key vocabulary words your lesson and activities focused on? Identify them, write them out with their definitions, and practice them. What test questions can you create from the lesson and activities you just completed? Write them out along with answers.

#3 Evaluate

Did you put your best effort into your completed assignment? Is there anything you can improve on? Is it all correct? Did you forget anything? Did you follow all directions and complete the assignment in the appropriate format?

Final Thoughts...

While these may seem like small steps or perhaps even common sense, as teachers we know we must never assume. Take the few minutes to teach these steps to students. Post them in your classroom. Make it part of your learning routine and see your students bloom from their efforts.

This post was originally written by Hillary Midgley and published at Study Skills Unleashed

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Teaching with Textbooks | Teach Like Midgley

Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a veteran 6th grade teacher.
I create educational materials and develop curriculum for other teachers. I specialize in teaching students how to learn through my Study Skills Curriculum. I have established fundamental classroom systems and structures for teachers to help them streamline their classroom. And my passion is teaching ancient history through engaging activities with foundations in academic skills. Here you will find resources on all of these topics and more. Learn more about me here.