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I find that a lot of kids enjoy journaling, especially on social-emotional topics. You can also pair those prompts with YouTube videos on related topics.
Instead of free-for-all stuff, how about offering something like “Teach Others”? Kids study anything they are interested in and then teach the other kids in a simple five-minute lesson or in small groups. It’s a chance for kids to learn more about a passion of theirs and then show off what they know. I’ve had kids just beg for these days!
Very cool idea
Two words: creative writing.
I have students work on reading passages at CommonLit when they have completed all assignments. That site is free (never a paywall), and I can customize assignments.
Yes, I love CommonLit. It amazes me that it is free. Really quality texts, in my opinion.
Let those who are caught up play scrabble. I have my kids play two-to-a-tray so they can help each other. It’s fun.
Last year we used Quill.org as a grammar supplement. That kind of self-paced targeted practice seems like it can fit in this space.
That being said, I agree with what others have suggested above: if you can incorporate something fun and creative that is still tied in with the standards (creative writing, media production, etc., something that the kids really want to do and can show to their peers and parents/guardians), that seems like the sweet spot.
I love integrating TED Talks on interesting topics or showing motivational videos. Soul pancake is a good resource. There is a great graphic organizer online for TED Talks. Just Google it and it should show up.