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Basic Skills Task Boxes

January 24, 2018

Pinterest Pin with examples of colorful task boxes and materials

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.

Link to Especially Education Instagram Video about errorless task boxes

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. Green Errorless Task Box With Frogs on Cards on a Table

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.

    Green Errorless Task Box With A Pre-Loaded Penny Board

    Penny board templated include with all task box purchases.

  • 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. Folding black case to hold Task Box Materials

 

Picture-to-Picture Task Boxes

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

Red plastic box surrounded by cards with red hearts, cherries, and crabs and a blue case in the background

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!

Colorful clear boxes holding task box materials for tracing shapes, letters, numbers and lines

 

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!

 

Rainbow Colored Especially Education logo with a unicorn

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Filed Under: Task Boxes 10 Comments

Comments

  1. Margaret Pawlosky says

    April 15, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    I love these!! WHere did you get the boxes to put the task in??

    Reply
  2. Monique says

    July 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    I would love to know where you get the little boxes as well!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      August 14, 2018 at 7:19 am

      They are from Micheals, they are on sale right now!

      Reply
      • Michaela Davis says

        August 14, 2018 at 9:57 am

        That’s awesome Kim! Michael’s removed them from their website, but that makes me happy to know they are still carried in their stores. Thank you for sharing <3

        Reply
  3. Roxanne says

    June 24, 2019 at 12:14 am

    I just picked up a set at Ross bc their cute…now I have a use for them! I love this!

    Reply
  4. Elaina says

    June 29, 2019 at 3:00 pm

    If you come across them- they have them at wal-Mart for 17 boxes $12.97. I just bought two! Hard to come by!

    Reply
  5. Marissa says

    June 29, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I found the plastic boxes at Walmart

    Reply
  6. Angela says

    August 29, 2019 at 10:42 pm

    For those in Australia they sell them at Spotlight

    Reply
  7. Milena says

    November 20, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    Hi what size are the boxes & where would be a good place to get them ? I’ve been looking for ideas for my students for workstations & these would be most age appropriate!!

    Reply

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