8 Way to use Task Boxes in your Special Education Classroom
Task Boxes are Life!
In the last few years, they have totally taken over our classrooms and have become a big rage for hands-on learning.
There are so many benefits to using them, but today I wanted to talk about all the ways that we can use them.
I can't tell you how often I would purchase resources and then forget all about them or spend all the time prepping them, just to have them sit on my shelf in the back of the room…
Well…… NO MORE!
Today, I want to walk you through 8 ways to use task boxes in your special education classroom so that you aren't wasting your valuable time and energy.
Read this other blog post I wrote, to learn more about using task boxes in your special education classroom!
1. One-on-One Instruction
These boxes can easily be used by teachers or paraprofessionals in a 1:1 instructional setting. You can use them to teach new skills or even skills that they have been working on for a while. Using them for direct instruction is the main way we are utilizing task boxes in my classroom.
2. Group Instruction
When you have a small group or a whole group in your self-contained setting, you can use the digital version of these boxes to display on the smartboard and have the students collectively participate and answer the questions. When you purchase any of mine, the matching boom cards are included for free!
This is a really fun way to practice a skill that has already been previously taught. For example, if the students are using the animal habitat physical task boxes in centers on Monday, maybe you use that same skills and use the Boom card version on Wednesday?
So many different options!
3. Homework
I know what you're thinking…. “Ughh I don't send homework home.”
Neither do I.
When I mention homework, I am simply saying to send home those boxes so that the parents can have that extra practice at home. Not only does it allow the parents to see how their child is performing but it allows the student to practice those skills in settings other than the classroom.
I know what you might be thinking, no way am I send home these precious task boxes after I spent hours putting them together.
No worries, just print them (in black and white if you want) and have them practice with paper!
Or you can assign the Boom card version for them to use at home!
4. Centers or Stations
This is by far the most popular way that I have seen task boxes being used. If you are running stations or centers in your classroom, then simply having one center be the “task box station” would work really nicely!
5. Early Finishers
Early Finishers Activities are a must in your classroom. We have all heard the dreaded, “I’m Done, Now What?” Usually, it comes right when you are in the middle of working with a small group or testing a student – basically, right when you don’t need it. But if you have a bin of them out that are specifically for those students who always seem to get done fast, then problem solved. These are such a great solution for this and the kids think they are playing games!
6. Morning Work
Stop wasting your time with trips to the copier! Using these highly engaging activities is a great option for morning work. Students should get into a routine to come into school and start their day by completing fun, colorful task boxes to get their brains ready for the school day.
7. Independent Work Systems
Using these in my independent work systems is the best thing since sliced bread.
Task boxes are so easily portable and easy to assign.
Students love seeing them in their structured work center because they not only know what to expect, but it has a clear beginning and ending for them.
If you are looking for more information on Independent Work Systems, you can check out this blog post here!
8. Free Time
Students often have a lot of free time built into their schedules. Maybe in the morning or afternoon or sometimes even recess. Students should have the ability to choose to “play with” task boxes as part of their leisure time.
My own students asked for these all of the time, so I would put some on a shelf that they had access to.
I have been creating task boxes for the past 4 years and have absolutely fallen in love with them. They are so versatile.
If you are just starting out, I have soooooooo many different task boxes that you can choose from to get started!
I can list some of my best sellers:
- Academic Task Box Bundle: set 1
- Academic Task Box Bundle: set 2
- Errorless Task Boxes (shapes)
- Errorless Task Boxes (anytime)
- Matching Task Boxes
- Life Skills Task Boxes
- Functional Life Skills Task Boxes (set of 53)
Take some time to look through them all, there are really so many different ones to choose from.
I also have 4 Free Task Boxes if you need a few to get started!
You can grab that here or click on the picture.
I am a High School, self-contained Autism teacher from Central New York, who is passionate about individualizing student learning. I am a mommy of three, lover of all things Disney, married to my best friend and addicted to chocolate!! I hope that you find great ideas and inspiration here, so welcome!!
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