It’s important to have engaging and purposeful activities for downtime to keep intermediate and middle school students productive and focused.
No matter how well we plan, we sometimes find ourselves with 10-minute chunks of time at the end of a lesson or when students finish their work early. Instead of letting those moments slip away, why not use them to reinforce learning, spark creativity, or have some fun with our students?
Activities for Downtime in the ELA Classroom
Here are some easy filler activities that are ideal for intermediate and middle school language arts classrooms (some are freebies!):
1. Literary Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of literary terms and challenge students to find examples of them in whatever they are reading. This is one of my favorite activities for downtime because once you have your list made, it’s so easy to implement, and you can use it with every new text.
To make this even easier, my Literary Terms Review for Fiction resource includes lists of terms for grades 6-8.
2. Story Illustrations
Provide students with an excerpt from a story or book they are reading. Ask them to notice details about the characters and setting in the passage and illustrate the scene. This activity helps students develop visualizing skills and combines reading comprehension with artistic expression. The best activities for downtime are those that can be used repeatedly, such as this one.
Read What Reading Comprehension Strategies Do Good Readers Use? to learn more about visualization and other reading strategies.
3. I Have Who Has Review Games
Provide your students with a fun way to review language arts concepts with small groups. Each player gets a card that has an answer to a previous question and a new question to ask. The game starts with one player reading their card aloud, and the player with the correct answer responds and continues the cycle until all cards are used.
You can get copies of my FREE printable I Have Who Has review games (and many other goodies) in my Free Resource Library by joining my email list with the form below.
4. Journal Writing
Journal writing offers students a valuable opportunity for reflection, self-expression, and emotional processing. It also fosters writing skills and provides a starting point for longer writing pieces. This is another quick and easy activity for in-between times.
Read 4 Benefits of Journal Writing in the Classroom for more information.
Check out my digital Daily Writing Prompts with both printable and digital versions for grades 4-6.
- 180 Daily Journal Prompts: Big Bundle (months 1-9)
- 100 Daily Journal Prompts: Mini Bundle 1 (months 1-5)
- 80 Daily Journal Prompts: Mini Bundle 2 (months 6-9)
5. Cryptogram Review Activities
Have students work in small groups to review language arts concepts as they solve a puzzle and decode a secret word. This is one of those activities for downtime that infuses cooperation and fun into the classroom.
You can get copies of my FREE printable cryptogram review activities (and many other goodies) in my Free Resource Library by joining my email list with the form below.
6. Collaborative Storytelling
Start a story by writing a sentence on the board. Have one student continue the story with a sentence of their own and then pass it to another student. Continue until they’ve created a unique, collaborative story. This is another of my favorite activities for downtime because of its collaborative nature. Plus, the kids love doing it!
To get started, check out this free story prompt generator for kids. Simply choose a theme and a prompt focus and generate your prompts!
7. Coloring with a Purpose
Coloring is the perfect activity when you have odd times to fill. Not only is it quick and easy to set up, but it also promotes relaxation, creativity, and mindfulness.
Check out my printable coloring pages for grades 6-9.
You can get a copy of my FREE Motivational Coloring Pages for grades 4-8 (and many other goodies) in my Free Resource Library by joining my email list with the form below.
8. Themed Word Searches
Word searches are quick and easy activities for downtime that can help build vocabulary. Word searches increase exposure to new words and enhance spelling skills. Themed word searches help students connect new vocabulary to a specific topic, reinforcing their understanding of subject-related terms in an engaging way.
You can get copies of my FREE printable themed word search activities for grades 6-8 (and many other goodies) in my Free Resource Library by joining my email list with the form below.
9. Reading Response Choice Boards
Keep students reading with response choice boards! Choice boards promote engagement, creativity, and reflection, making them an ideal activity for downtime. When students have choices, they are always more engaged!
Check out my digital Reading Response Choice Boards for grades 4-6 on Google Slides.
- Fiction Reading Response Choice Board
- Nonfiction Reading Response Choice Board
- Poetry Reading Response Choice Board
- Bundle of Reading Response Choice Boards
10. Independent Reading
Set up structured yet flexible routines for independent reading. Students can keep a self-selected book on hand at all times so they can seamlessly transition into reading whenever they finish work early or when there is unexpected downtime. Offer a variety of reading materials (fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and magazines) to ensure all students find something they enjoy, promoting a positive reading culture in the classroom.
Read 5 Powerful Minilessons for Silent Reading Time for more information about fostering independent reading.
These downtime activities make the most of extra time and add variety and engagement to your language arts classroom. Whether reinforcing concepts, sparking creativity, or simply having fun, these activities ensure that every minute of your class is well-spent. In addition, they set students on the path to becoming independent readers and independent writers.
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