Every primary school teacher disappoints at the end of the day when they do not have enough time to start a new lesson. However, they have a few extra minutes to change before the bell rings. This "waiting" or "restful" period is the perfect opportunity for class-appropriate activity. And, what is great about this type of time-filling activity is that it requires very little supply and students tend to think of it as "play" time.

Check out these ideas:

1. Mystery Box

This five-minute filler is a great way for students to develop their thinking strategies. The secret is to place the item in a closed shoe box and ask students to think about what is inside without opening it. Allow them to use all their senses to know what's in the box: touch, smell, shake. Suggest them asking "yes" or "no" questions like, "Can I eat it?" Or "Is it bigger than a baseball?" As best they can think of the matter, open the box and let them see.

2. Sticky Note

This fast time filler helps students build their vocabulary and spelling skills. Write compound words first on sticky notes, dividing each half into two notes. For example, write "base" on one note and "ball" on the other. Then, place one sticky note on each student's desk. Then students can go to the classroom and look for peers who have notes that make the compound word.

3. Passing Ball

A good way to establish fluency is for students to sit at their desks and pass the ball saying anything, from a rhyming word to the name of the first lady of the United States. This is a fun time filler where students will enjoy playing while reinforcing important learning concepts. If students are unable to use it, use this as a teachable moment and review what it means to respect one another.

4. Line Up

This is a great five-minute activity to spare your student time for lunch or a special occasion. Have all the students in their seats and each student stand up when they think you are talking about it. For example, "This person is wearing a glass." So, all students wearing glasses will stand up. Then you say, "This guy wears glasses and has brown hair." Then whoever has glasses and brown hair will stand still and then unite. Then you move on to other descriptions and so on. You can customize this activity up to two minutes or 15 minutes. Scheduling is an appropriate activity for children to strengthen their listening and comparison skills.

5. Hot Seat

This game is the same as Twenty Questions. Randomly select students to come to the front of the class and have them stand with their backs to the white board. Then select another student to appear and write the words on the board. Bring written words to footprints, vocabulary words, spelling words or just about anything you teach. The problem of this game is for students to ask their classmates questions to guess the words written on the board.

6. Silly's Story

Challenge students to take turns creating stories. Have them sit in a circle, and add one sentence at a time to the story. For example, the first student would say, "Once upon a time there was a little girl who went to school, so she ..." Then the next student would continue the story. Encourage children to continue to carry out tasks and use appropriate words. This activity is the perfect opportunity for students to build and use their imagination and creativity. It can also be a longer project in which students collaborate on digital documents.

7. Clean Up

Has a cleaning countdown. Set a timer and hand each student a certain number of items to clean. Tell the student, "Let's beat the clock and see how fast we can clear the classroom." Make sure you set the rules ahead of time, and each student understands exactly where each item goes in class.

As an added incentive, select an item to be "garbage of the day" and whoever picks up that item wins a small prize.

9. Easy Save

The skills you want students to understand and prepare for the activities associated with them, then spend five minutes practicing those skills. Younger children can practice printing or coloring and older children may practice journaling or do math exercises. Whatever the concept may be, prepare for it in advance and be prepared for those awkward in-between moments.

Looking for a faster idea? Try this bush activity, brain break, and teacher-tested time-saver.

References

Aktiviti Minit 5 untuk Guru Sekolah Rendah