Sponge activities - a.k.a. FILLERS

What do you do when you have a few extra minutes in the classroom?  You want to make the most of your time and make every minute count, what sponge activities do you use with your class?  My friend, Heather @ Hojo's Teaching Adventures is going to make a pinterest board of free activities.  I thought I would list a few and ask my followers to add to the list so we can share our ideas with the teaching world.

FLASHCARD RACE:

Have your students line up in two lines.  Choose one student to be the score keeper.  You sit/stand in front of the line with flashcards.  Flashcards can be whatever you are currently studying:  math facts, spelling words, state capitols, or any other facts.  You will show the two students in front of the line the flashcard.  Whoever answers it correctly first earns the team point.  If a team is too loud, erase a point.  After answering, students go to the end of the line.

MENTAL MATH:

This works perfect when you are waiting in line!  You give your students math problems such as 3 + 2 + 6 + 1 = ____.  Let volunteers answer the problem.  When someone gives the correct answer, ask the student what strategies he/she used.

SILENT BALL:

This works great when it's clean up time!  Only students
who are cleaned up and sitting in their seats may participate.
You give one student a bumpy ball.  He or she gently tosses
it to another student.  If a student drops the ball, gets up
out of his/her seat, or talks, they are out of the game.  Keep
playing until you are down to the last student.
**Credit for this game goes to Sandy, my daughter's 6th
grade core teacher.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE A FEW EXTRA MINUTES?