Ok, if you've read any of my previous posts, you know I have a problem. I am addicted to work boxes. It is an addiction, a true addiction. I cannot go more than a few weeks at a time without a trip to the dollar store to purchase materials for my newest work box idea. I love that these can be teaching tools, independent practice, and can encompass so many skills at one time.
When you are as addicted to creating these as I am, you end up with so many boxes that it can become an organizational nightmare. How do you know what's in each box? How do you know what to assign each student? Here is how I do it!
First, I created a color coded system for the types of boxes I have.
This helps me put boxes that are similar together on a shelf. Each shelf has a strip of tape on it so that I know where that color/type box goes for easy finding and easy returning.
Each box is then given a label. I try to make these 1-2 words, but slightly descriptive so that I can quickly figure out what the task inside is. This label also gets a color coded dot so we can tell what shelf it will belong on.
I then make a second label that I laminate and add velcro to. This one goes on their job chart.
And there you have it. This is the way that I organize my work boxes. It works for me. It can still be a little overwhelming, but my kids have always been able to find their assigned boxes independently and are able to return boxes when necessary!
How do you organize and assign work boxes to your kiddos?
This is so helpful. Thank you! Can't wait to set this system up!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you store everything?? do you only pull out boxes for the week and have those boxes in view? working on this new job of mine! sheinzman@fremont.net
ReplyDeleteoh to have space and shelving to store workboxes like this!!
ReplyDeleteYeah. . . this year I'm in a classroom that is about 1/3 the size of last year and don't have the hallway space to use! I also have 2 girls who have tons of equipment (standers, pacers, wheelchairs, laying boards, etc), so there's even less room! It's killing me cause you KNOW I love my work boxes! :)
DeleteThe color coding is genius, I have mine sorted by the type of task it is and then those are sorted into subjects, so all the folders for math are in one crate, folders for reading, and so on. The bulkier ones that are stored in big envelopes or bags go into another box, all the math together and so on. I like yours, they look neater! I cannot believe I haven't found you before this. thank you, Paula
ReplyDeleteI love that you call them "Work Boxes" instead of Task Boxes! This is more meaningful to the students.
ReplyDelete