Basic Skills Task Boxes

If your classroom is anything like mine have been, you are working with a wiiiiiide range of abilities. I’ve had students reading fluently on a 5th grade level, while others are working to match color-to-color.

Most of my current task box bundles are geared toward the Pre K- 1st grade skill set. I have a higher level set in the works (2nd-3rd grade), but that got me thinking.

What about the students who need even more basic skills than I already provide?

48-hours (and lots of coffee) later, I created the Basic Skills Task Boxes.

Watch video here.

The included activities focus on pre-requisite academic skills, while also reinforcing the concepts of routines and expectations.

Errorless Task Boxes

There are 20 “errorless” task boxes included in this download. 

These were designed for beginner learners who are starting to acquire independent skills. I encourage teachers to model their expectations of their independent stations. (“First, I sit in my chair. Next, I get out my task box #1.) Read more about setting up an effective independent work station here.

Tips for Using Errorless Task Boxes

• Reduce the number of task cards: each set comes with 10 task cards, but starting with a smaller amount is completely acceptable (and recommended!)
• Model and prompt: these expectations must be taught, so model and prompt when necessary
• Reinforce often: you will hear me say this time and time again. I use a penny board to reinforce expected behaviors. Beginner students earn pennies for smaller expectations, like sitting in their chair, retrieving the task box from the bin, matching one card, etc.
• Use a pre-loaded penny board: for some of my beginner students who need more frequent reinforcement, I often use a pre-loaded penny board. This means they have 3 or 4 pennies already placed on their board. This allows them to receive reinforcement at a faster rate. I scale back pennies (pre-loading with 2 pennies) as the student achieves more independence.

Organize matching pieces to avoid distraction: I am a huge fan of table top pocket charts, and have even seen teachers make their own. I love how Alyssa from Simply Special Ed made these Velcro Choice Boards from Veltex fabric. 

Picture-to-Picture Task Boxes

These task boxes are a bit more advanced than the errorless activities, but still reinforce the pre-requisite skills.

I have included several different picture-to-picture options in a wide variety of subjects.

Students practice their matching skills with colors, shapes, letters, community helpers, road signs, landforms, and more!

Tracing Task Boxes

Students use a dry erase marker to practice tracing lines (straight, curved, and zig-zag), letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and shapes.

Most of these can be printed in black ink, which allows for printing on colorful paper!

Between these basic skills, the pre k- 1st grade bundles, and the upcoming higher level set of task boxes, I am hoping you can find activities to meet the needs of all your students!