Picture This...
You finally get your small group settled. Materials are out. Everyone is ready. You start teaching and then…
“Wait, what am I supposed to be doing?”
Two minutes later…
“I’m done! What do I do now?”
And then, of course…
“Where do I get that paper?”
Sound familiar?
Small-group instruction can be SUCH a powerful part of the school day, but it only works when the rest of your classroom can function somewhat independently. If you’re spending half of your small-group time redirecting students, answering questions, or finding work for early finishers, it can quickly become more stressful than helpful.
Enter one of my FAVORITE classroom management strategies:
Must Do + May Do Lists ✨
They’re simple, flexible, and once your students learn the routine, they can completely change the way independent work time runs in your classroom.
First Things First: What Is a Must Do/May Do List?
It’s exactly what it sounds like!
Your Must Dos are the tasks students are expected to complete during a designated block of time. Your May Dos are a selection of meaningful activities students can choose from once those required tasks are finished.
The concept itself isn’t complicated — and that’s exactly why it works.
Students aren’t trying to remember five verbal directions or wondering whether they can move on to something else. They have a clear roadmap right in front of them: start here, complete these things, and then choose from these options.
This structure works beautifully during literacy or math small groups, but it can really be used during ANY part of your day when students are expected to manage multiple tasks independently.
Bye-Bye, "What Do I Do Next?"
One of the biggest reasons I love Must Do + May Do lists is that they answer so many questions before students ever have to ask them.
Think about how many little interruptions happen during independent work time. One student doesn’t remember which assignment comes first. Another finishes and isn’t sure what to do next. Someone else knows what they’re supposed to do but has no idea where to find the materials.
None of those questions are necessarily a big deal on their own. But when you’re trying to teach a small group? They add up FAST.
A clear Must Do + May Do visual gives students somewhere else to turn for those answers.
What should I be working on? Check the list.
What do I do when I’m finished? Check the list.
What do I need for this activity? Check the list.
Over time, you’re shifting the responsibility away from “Ask my teacher what to do” and toward “I know how to figure out my next step.”
And THAT is the kind of independence we want to build.
Flexibility Meets Independence
One of the best things about Must Do + May Do lists is that they naturally work for different learning paces. Students who need more time can focus on the essential Must Dos without feeling rushed, while faster workers always have a clear next step.
Must Dos finished? Choose a May Do! 🙌🏼
May Dos also give students a little autonomy over their learning. You provide meaningful options — independent reading, word work, writing, review games, partner activities — and they get to choose what comes next.
No waiting around. No random extra work. Just different paces, meaningful choices, and a routine that keeps everyone moving. ✨
Okay, So How Do You Make It Work?
The system is simple, but consistency is key! A little teaching and practice upfront will help students use it independently later.
Make it visual.
Give students one consistent place to find their Must Do + May Do list — your board, daily slides, or an individual checklist. The goal is for students to know exactly where to look without asking you.
Practice it EARLY.
Model how to check the list, gather materials, complete Must Dos, and move on to May Dos. Practice the routine before expecting students to do it independently!
Keep the routine consistent.
The activities can change, but the structure stays the same: Must Dos first → May Dos second. The more predictable the routine, the easier it is for students to manage on their own.
Tell them what they need.
List any materials students will need AND where to find them. Answer those “Where do I get this?” questions before they happen!
Make your May Dos meaningful.
Skip the random busy work. Use May Dos for reading, review, games, writing, or extra practice with previously taught skills.
Teach them to check BEFORE they ask.
Not sure what to do next? Check the list first! Reinforce this expectation consistently and, over time, students will begin turning to the list instead of you.
A little practice upfront = a whole lot more independence later. 
Less Managing, More Teaching 👩🏼🏫
A simple Must Do + May Do routine can make a BIG difference. More independence, fewer “What do I do next?” questions, and more time for you to focus on the students right in front of you. That’s a classroom win! 
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