How do you keep kids quiet and busy.

Question

I work at a daycare and with school coming up I need to find a way to keep 5th and 6th graders busy and quiet while others are doing their homework during homework time. I don't think coloring will do it.. So pretty much after they are done with their homework I need something to occupy them. Please help.

Answer 1

try puzzles, crosswords, etc. - depending on their preference, their likes & dislikes.

let them invent & play their own games, may be in small groups.

create a stack of simple interesting educational puzzles for them to choose from & solve.

try activities that use not just their brains but also their hands so that they get a chance to learn new skills.

eg.clay-modelling, origami, artificial flower-making, gift-wrapping, greeting-card making, bead-work, mask-making .....

have a collection of comics / books to select & read.

Answer 2

wat a coincidence! im oso working in a daycare, too! i always give them extra papers to do to keep them busy before they start to make noise!  

Answer 3

Provide them with books to read silently, and educational games to play with 1-2 others.  If your group has the means let them watch movies.

Keep in mind, they have been in school all day, then with you, they will need to have some personal time.  Time to burn off the energy they've kept pent up.  You need to decide what "quiet" is - silent?  in door voices?  Having reasonable expectations is important for everyone!

Check out some websites for activities too.  Any search engine can direct you to educational websites with activities.  Discovery is a good one.    

Answer 4

Wow! I don't know. I don't keep a quiet classroom. I'm always walking around and helping students. If students are finished with their work, they work on special projects, other work that is not finished, or they help students who are still working.

Maybe they could...

...help others with homework

...start a book club (find some interesting books and check out multiple copies for them). There are books out there they may enjoy.

...work on a special project and present it to the others when they are finished.

Answer 5

You'll have your hands full that's for sure.

Can't you let them go outside once they are done with their homework?

If not, have cards, games, tv, and let them bring their own little electronic gadgets to keep them busy.

Any kids that can't stay quiet can write sentences that you make up for them to write.