For my task box system, I use this Ten Drawer Utility Cart. You can purchase this cart from Amazon using this referral link: Seville Classics 10-Drawer Organizer Cart, Black
. (Side note: I have five of these carts in my classroom and I absolutely LOVE them!) I have tried other task box organization methods, but this is my favorite because it saves space and it is easy for my student to access. As you can see, I printed, laminated, and used Velcro to attach numbers 1-10 from my Simple Task Box System product to the cart. Each drawer of the cart contains a different task for the students to work on. I typically use the following formula when loading my tasks boxes with activities: 3 math activities (various levels), 3 ELA activities (various levels), and 4 fine motor activities (various levels). I typically have a few extra activities "on deck" that I can rotate in as needed.
Next, I print, laminate, and place velcro on my student schedules. I also print, laminate, and attach Velcro to several sets of numbers 1-10, which I attach to the "To-Do" side of the student schedules. The numbers on the schedule correlate to the tasks that that student is assigned/must complete during his/her task box time. As you can see in the picture below, the student shown has been assigned task boxes "3," "6," and "9." The student must complete task box number "3" first. When he/she has completed tax box "3," he/she moves the number over to the "done" side of his/her schedule, and moves on to the next task box, which would be task box number "6."
My students work on task boxes everyday. It is one of their rotations. Because of my current staff/student ratios, I have a staff member that assists my students with their task boxes each day; however, task boxes are ideal for independent practice. Because the goal of task boxes is to build independence for students, I place activities that review skills that have already been mastered in the task box trays. This allows students to feel confident and to review and practice skills that they have already learned. After all, "if you do not use it, you lose it."
Students typically repeat the tasks that are on their schedule for 1 to 2 weeks until they have mastered the activities in their boxes. The staff member that oversees the task box rotation, completes a data sheet each Friday, letting me know if each student complete the activities independently, with minimal prompting, or if they need to continue to practice the activities.
I base the activities that I place in my task boxes on my students' IEP goals. With that said, I found an amazing FREE resource from Special Education Corner on Teachers Pay Teachers . This is a wonderful starting point, especially because most of the items used are very easy to find. Check out the product here. Pinterest is also a wonderful resource for task boxes.
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