Students should be given anchor activities or bell ringers to work on independently when they finish their regular classwork early. These are ongoing assignments related to the course content that students can work on throughout a unit or grading period. They allow students to make progress on meaningful tasks and projects to enhance their learning when their regular work is complete. The activities help students manage their work and track their own progress.

1. WHAT DO I DO WHEN STUDENTS
FINISH THEIR WORK EARLY?
NORTH CAROLINA MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFERENCE 2013
PRESENTED BY:
SHANETTA D. PITTMAN
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
ROANOKE VALLEY EARLY COLLEGE
WELDON CITY SCHOOLS
Credits: Carol Ann Tomlinson, University of Virginia

2. Anchor Activities or Bell Ringers:
Anchor activities are ongoing assignments that students can
work on independently throughout a unit, a grading period or
longer.
Project/activities management is important, so students keep
track of their progress and status.
Purpose:
1. Provide meaningful or real-world activities/tasks for
students that enhance current project or task, when
finished with current work, when or when they arrive into
class.
2. Provide ongoing tasks that tie to the content and
instruction.