Work Boxes

Work Boxes: As mentioned multiple times in the past, I have a TON of work boxes.  Here are a few more:

 

Reading office supply sort: Random items from around the classroom are put into the container. Students read the label at the bottom of the sorting system and place the correct number of items!  So easy to setup, and FREE!

Filling Medicine Box:  I used small candies as the "pills".  Students got instructions on what "pills" were needed in AM/PM.  Have to fill out weekly medicine storage.

 

Item sort (similar shape edition):  In this task, students sort random items, but many have very similar shape, (rounded vs square edges).  Students sort accordingly.

 
Another shape sorter - this came as a math kit, I just dumped it into a work box!

Fine motor activity:  Students take the small pegs and push them into a piece of foam.

More to come in a few days!!!

Work Box Update!

Here are a few work boxes. . . hope you see some you like!

Pencil Case Pack - students follow the template to put items into pencil tins

Eraser Pack - Students place two erasers into containers accordint to template.  For this particular task, students have two different shape containers, so they must make sure to get matching tops for container.

Spelling Pack - Students much choose an item from box, then find the letters to spell that word and place it all into a tied bag.  Items are all mastered spelling words for that particular student.

Rubber Band Sort - Students sort the rubber bands by size.  I must admit, this one is HARD!  The rubber bands are very close in size, so they have to pay close attention.  

Money Sort - Students place coins into a money sorter according to denomination.  For lower functioning students who do not yet know the amount of each coin, one example can be velcroed into the container to provide a cue.

Number Package - Students place the correct number of lady bugs into the bag according to the numeral.  For this specific task, the number card also has dots that students can use to ensure correct number of items.

There are a few. . . I'll be placing more each few days!!!

Work Boxes - Organizational Nightmare Solved

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?