May and June bring a renewed focus on course completion, especially for seniors diligently working to raise grades or complete that last credit needed for graduation. As educators, we know what to do for these students. But, what about the students in our blended learning environments who have already completed this year’s coursework, achieved their desired grade, and now present us with the daily question of “What should I do now?”

Just as we prepare and carry a “bag of tricks” for when technology goes down, we also need a toolkit of ideas and activities to help our early finishers stay engaged and productive.

Career Exploration and Awareness

Even when students think they know exactly where they want to go next and what career they want to pursue, providing additional career explorations such as finding out job salaries and job market needs across various geographies builds career-related research skills that help them prepare for all of the shifts and turns they will encounter during their working life.

Student Portfolios

If your school uses student portfolios, encourage early finishers to make sure they have collected all of the important work samples and organized them in their e-portfolio. No school-based e-portfolio? Not to worry, encourage students to explore various options and apps as a part of the process. Then, use their new tool to document and collect all of their accomplishments.

Peer Tutors and Coaches

Encourage early finishers to tutor or coach those that may still need assistance. This gives students who have already met their goals an opportunity to share not just academics, but the strategies they used to stay focused. Often the most powerful student motivator is other students.

Start Next Year’s Coursework

Many times when I have students who will be returning next year, but still have a couple of weeks left for this semester, we discuss the option of starting the work for one of next year’s courses. Since we use a mastery-based approach, anything they learn (and retain) can easily be tested out of next August or September.

Guest Speakers

Providing guest speakers for the last few days or weeks of school, gives students various opportunities to learn more about topics such as financial aid, college admissions requirements, and community resources. Rotating and repeating topics lets students stay focused on course completion knowing that once they finish, there will still be multiple chances for them to participate in these expert sessions.

Today’s Challenge: As you go through May and June this year, note which early finisher activities resonate most with your blended learning students. Then, focus on adding similar meaningful resources to your toolkit. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole file drawer or thumb drive brimming with options.