Morning work should be a way to stimulate thinking and learning, but also ignite engagement and participation! Providing choices or rotating morning tasks can be a great way for students to enjoy their morning routine and begin their day in a positive way!
1. Cursive Practice
A popular morning choice is practicing cursive handwriting. Third graders will continue to improve their technique with forming cursive letters and words as they start out their school day with this practice.
Learn More: Teach Starter
2. Wake up and Review
This spiral review is a great way to include both literacy and mathematics-based practice into your morning work routine. This traditional morning work is beneficial for reinforcing previously taught skills through this independent practice review.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
3. Reading Passages with Comprehension Practice
Comprehension skills-based passages are great for morning work or actual class time. These are grade-level passages and include comprehension skills like problem and solution, cause and effect, and character motivations. Quick and easy to print and copy, these printable pages are great for preparing ahead of time and having this morning work ready!
Learn More: Second Story Window
4. Prefix and Suffix Dissection
Multisyllabic words become more common by third grade. This prefix and suffix dissection is a great way for students to practice on their own. This could also be turned into a card game and played with a group. This is a good way to promote social skills as well.
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5. Math Problem of the Day
Math word problems are great ways to engage students in reading and thinking mathematically. Projecting these onto the board is a great way to get students actively thinking and engaged in forming plans for how to solve word problems. From time to time, you could throw in an equation in place of a word problem.
Learn More: 55 Challenging Word Problems for 3rd Graders
6. Reader’s Theater
Reader’s theater is a great way for engaged students to work together and practice reading fluency. Throw some reader’s theater scripts in as morning tub choices and you have some fun and beneficial options for morning work.
Learn More: Mrs. Winter’s Bliss
7. Number of the Day
Number of the day is a great way to start the day or the math block of your day. Having students think about numbers in different ways is a good way to get their brain thinking deeper about how to disassemble the number and think about it in terms of place value.
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8. Story Cubes
Story cubes are a fun game to play but also good literacy practice. You can encourage writing based on this game and allow for small groups and social interactions as well. You will enjoy some of the fun stories students will come up with as they play!
Learn More: The Brown Bag Teacher
9. Brain Puzzles
Challenge young brains by breaking out the brain puzzles! Logic games and critical thinking games are fun, interactive ways for students to get their creative thinking juices flowing as they get warmed up for a great day of learning!
Learn More: Mrs. Sheridan Takes Third Grade
10. Multiplication Practice with Arrays
Since third grade pushes multiplication, making arrays is good practice for this skill. Students can practice their facts, create their arrays, and further their understanding of this skill.
Learn More: Teaching Trove
11. Multiplication Color by Number
Multiplication color by number is a great way to practice multiplication facts and allow the practice of facts and coloring the picture. Students like coloring and this is a nontraditional alternative to morning work.
Learn More: Teaching Trove
12. Small-Group Games
Games, like Hedbandz, are quick and easy and allow tons of social interaction and problem-solving skills. Students can practice listening and speaking skills as well.
Learn More: Mr. Dovico
13. Pattern Block Logic Puzzles
Logic puzzles are a fun way to allow students to think in creative ways. Pattern block puzzles are easy and fun for students. Teachers will enjoy the no prep work that comes with laminating these puzszle cards.
Learn More: Mrs. Winter’s Bliss
14. Number Puzzles
Math riddles are great practice for all operations. Students can read the riddle and figure out a plan to solve the answer. Students can compare and show their thinking in different ways.
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15. Gratitude Journals
A gratitude journal is a great alternative to traditional morning work. Help students express their thoughts, emotions and show gratitude through this gratitude journal. Students will enjoy the creativity they can express with this task.
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16. Vocabulary Word Work
Vocabulary word work could come in many forms. Using a template that includes synonyms/antonyms, using it in a sentence, drawing a picture, or other ways to represent the words and meanings.
Learn More: This Reading Mama
17. Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
Vocabulary and spelling words are always things that students could practice. Creating vocabulary crossword puzzles for morning work routines is a great option for a fun way to engage students’ minds with new words. These vocabulary words could come from science, social studies, math, or literacy content areas.
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18. Opinion Writing
Opinion writing is often appealing to students because it allows them to express their thoughts and ideas about topics they feel are important. After modeling appropriately, it may be a good idea to allow this as a morning work option so students have a chance to pen their thoughts in a structured way and support their opinions with details in their writing.
Learn More: Minds In Bloom
19. Independent Reading
Independent reading is important and often undervalued. Students need time to practice reading silently and work on self-monitoring strategies to strengthen their fluency, automaticity, accuracy, and comprehension. This is a great option for morning work, especially on hectic mornings!
Learn More: Jodi Durgin
20. Soft Start
A soft start to the day is a unique concept that allows choice and less stressful activities to choose from. Students can pick books or puzzles from bins and quietly attend to these activities. There is no pressure of an assignment to turn in, but instead, just a task to work on.
Learn More: Primary Delight
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