Easy Work Task: Independent Work Inspiration

I love this really easy work task, that is also pretty cheap to make, for this week’s independent work inspiration. It’s a perfect one to get your task box library set up fast because it requires virtually no prep. That means no laminating and no Velcro. In addition, it helps students practice 1-1 correspondence by putting items in 1 spot using tools. So, it kind of takes 1-1 correspondence put-in tasks to the next level with tool use.

Independent Work Inspiration: Material List

Pom Poms (used for art and craft projects). I like the larger ones.
Tongs (dollar stores often have packs of 2 for $1)
Muffin tins (Six or 12 muffins will work depending on your student. Both are available at dollar stores.)

Independent Work Inspiration: Easy Work Task with Pom Poms and Muffin Tins

Easy Work Task with Puffs: Who is it For?

I usually use this easy work task with younger students. It’s great for students preschool and elementary age. Typically I would want students to be able to complete basic put-in tasks like blocks in a container before I introduce this one. Although this is an easy work task, the tongs and the requirement to put 1 pom pom in each muffin slot make it more complex.

Independent Work Inspiration Easy Work Task Video

Tips for This Easy Work Task

This is a pretty easy task to put together. The primary tip is to make sure that you only provide the same number of pom poms as the number of slots in the muffin tin. Otherwise, it could confuse the student if he has pieces left over that don’t fit.

Independent Work Inspiration Pom Poms and Muffin Tins

I also like to put the pom poms in a separate container. That makes it just a little more organized and clear for the students. Then they don’t have to track down stray ones.

Also, it’s also pretty easy to make it easy or more difficult by the size of the muffin tin (i.e., 6 or 12 muffins). In addition, you could use egg cartons for this instead of muffin tins. That would make it even cheaper to create.

IWinspiration. An easy work task that can be set up quickly and cheaply to expand your library. Great for younger students who need basic skills. Find the materials list and tips for expanding it in this post.

Need more ideas for independent work inspiration? Check out the resources below.

More Workbasket Wednesday Resources

Building Independence: How to Create and Use Structured Work Systems by Dr. Christine Reeve & Dr. Susan Kabot

Looking for more ideas on special education work boxes or work systems and how they can be used? Check out the links in Resources below for more posts. And, I wrote about a book about them!

Buy from Future Horizons here

Buy From Amazon (including Kindle) (see my disclosure policy for more information about affiliate links).

GET ALL THE VISUALS AND ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS YOU NEED to start independent work in your classroom.

These kits include an e-book with directions on setting up independent work systems and using the materials included, data sheets for tracking progress, visuals for the special education work boxes and schedules, what’s next visuals, and mastery sheets to keep track of which students have mastered which task.