Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Using Independent Work Binders in the South African Mainstream Classroom

Independent binders are a great way of helping the learners in your class develop independent learning. This, I find particularly true in a special needs environment. Not only is it true, it is also an essential part of a special needs classroom.
But, while I realise just how important this is in my special needs classroom. I began thinking about how they can be used in a mainstream class. 

Create centers in your class
Have an area in your classroom which your learners are able to access throughout the day. In this area, place a learning activity (read:binder) which your learners need to complete at some point throughout the day. In order to do this, laminate the pages of the binder you would like to use, and supply the area with whiteboard markers for your learners to use. This activity may be math, literacy, or life skill related. It may even be an art activity. Not only, are you able to assess their level of independence, but also their level of task initiation, and task completion. 

It may also keep those fast workers occupied for a little while, and give you some time to work with your weaker learners. 

Make flashcards
Use these to create ladybug themed
 flashcards
The binders do not have to be used strictly in the sense that you would like them to be used. You can also use them as different themed flashcards. Take the Spring themed bundle and create alphabet and number flashcards as well as colour flashcards. 

Or create snail themed flashcards.
Play games
You can play games, such as snap, or even memory with what is included in the bundle. Again, print and laminate what you need and you have an instant themed game for your class. Remember, if you have different levels of groups in your class, while you are focusing on one group, you may be able to keep the other group occupied with a game. Or, use the game as a fun reinforcement activity of a concept you have been teaching. I always find games seem to help get the concept across.

If you have any more ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments below.









Sunday, March 8, 2015

Creating Workbox Tasks

Hi everyone!!
Sorry we have been so quiet recently. Both of us have had some major changes happening... But we're getting back to normality slowly.
I thought for our first post of the year, I would introduce you all to something I have been looking rather closely into. Workbox Tasks.
Workbox tasks are a great way for creating independent learning. They will provide your learners with structure and routine - in a special needs environment, these two are tantamount to success.
To begin with a workbox classroom, you will need to create independent work stations for each child - these need to be free from all distractions, if you're lucky enough and have space use dividers between the desks to create cubicles. Only use these stations for worktasks, you still want the social aspect of teaching when doing group learning.
Create a schedule for your learners to show them how much work they need to complete when they are working on work tasks.

Now for the tasks:
Firstly, I would like to show you two of mine which I have just created, these two are what we call 'put in/on tasks'. These are the most basic of tasks, and this is what you begin with when introducing your learners to workbox tasks.

First I created a matching task:

Start off with an ice cream box - you can get them from any of the Westpack Shops or plastic shops, get some plastic eggs - also a Westpack item, and some foam numbers from the crazy store. 

Get the kids in the class to match the numbers and close the eggs - this is great for fine motor tasks as well.

When they have finished, make sure they put the completed egg back into the box, complete the other eggs and pack them all away. 

The second task I have included, is a fun one for Easter -

Pick up some more eggs from westpack, and I found these very cute little chicks at China Mall. The eggs are R12 for 10 and the chicks were R2 each. 
Get the kids to put the chicks into the eggs to complete the task - or take them out, if they are unable to put the eggs together.

I hope this gives you some insight into the world of workbox tasks. Have fun with it!


Workbasket Wednesday at Autism Classroom News