Workboxes for Jay *3

Here's a glimpse of the contents in his workboxes. There are 2 rewards with choices that he can chose. For this week, he sometimes chose to get a stamp, do painting, watch Mickey Mouse, typing on computer (he loves it) or get a snack.

He's asking for more and more. This week, we slowly got up to 6 puzzles in one go.
He did not dare to complain, as I would remind him that he's the one asking for it.
Though it takes him longer, he's doing fine and he's very proud after he's done.
Bravo!

Zoo sticker activity.
- he learnt about elephants, penguins, seals, and a variety of snakes' name.

Maths. I think this was box No5. He's a little tired,
so I helped him a bit. I drew a slash on the dots one by one as he counted,
and after he  identified the correct number , I helped him to draw the matching lines.
(I think this is still ok once in awhile : P)

More puzzles - identify the colours on the pictures,
then match with the correct colour cards.

Free art. I gave him lots of these pretty recycled strips of paper, and glue.
My only instruction was to make patterns with them. He made a house.

Handwriting exercise.

An extra activity he requested. Maybe I'll put this in his box next time.

A free art. I just prepare the water, paint, brush and paper
- and I left him alone. He came up with this. 

Workboxes for Jay *2

I am trying to increase the level of difficulties for him.
I mixed up all the pieces for 3 puzzles and he had to put them all together.
So far, he is not complaining. (he kept telling me to give him 5 puzzles. hmmmm)

Getting better.

Sticker activity and colouring.

Trace the circle and colour.
I wonder why he chose to colour the flower grey.

Handwriting practice.

Sorting from big to small in the same category.

Mostly he can do the activities by himself. I don't have to sit beside him. But I'll be around if he is unsure of what to do with an activity. He have to come to me to read the instructions from workbooks, or if it's a new activity, I'll need to explain to him. Sometimes, I had him call out the names of items he is doing at the moment (eg, the sorting big and small - he will call out the name and Big, Middle, Small) - just so I know what he is doing, while I am free to do other things. :)
# I am planning to do updates of his workboxes around once a week. It will only be a rough record, since we will be doing this everyday - I sure don't have the time to post his work everyday. : )

9/11/12 - Workboxes (boy)

I introduced my boy to the workboxes system on Friday. He's adapting to it nicely. After he finished the whole thing and I filled them up for the next day, he asked to do them first thing in the morning!

5 piece puzzle. Done by himself.

Match picture to it's shadow. Done by himself.

Counting clip cards. I printed this from somewhere, can't remember.
He can't handle the small clips, so I gave him the big ones. He insisted  to finish all the
cards when I suggested to take away a few. For the last few cards, his fingers are shaking.
I'll remember to cut down the number of cards next time.

Cutting practice - with help.

Handwriting practice - and alphabet recognition. - done by himself.

Foam craft. Done by self. (with a little help in extracting the foam stickers from it's paper)

The reward in the end. He asked to play with the stamp roller.

In action

Pointing and counting the stars one by one - in Chinese and sometimes in English.

Clip onto the right answer.

He is very proud of his work, that he had to show everything to daddy before I can put them away. : )

TEACCH - workboxes revisit

One of the system I found work well with my daughter is the TEACCH system. It has the routine and repetition that enables her to know what to do and what to expect. I have been thinking, planning and making tweaks here and there to implement this system at home - for both my children. Like I said, the little brother always wanted to do whatever the sister is doing. It will do him no harm in having this structure added to his day.

All over the net, everyone is talking about workboxes system for homeschooling. It was in fact very similar to  TEACCH system. The 'teacher' puts one self explaining task in a box or tray and label it with a number. There could be 2,4,6 or more boxes, depending on the ability of the student.

In her therapy center previously, my daughter have 4 trays. The number never increase, due to the limit of time. Last year, I have been inconsistently giving her random number of tasks in trays, depending on her mood at the time. The thought of using this system has always been at the back of my mind. So, I finally splurge and prepare a somewhat 'formal' setting for workboxes system for both of my children.

There are a maximum of 6 boxes. She would have to take off the number card from her strips and put in on the velcro next to the same number. Then she takes the container to the table to finish the task. When it is done, she closes the container and puts in on the floor next to her. After every 2 tasks, she would get either Snacks card or Toilet card. It motivates her when she saw the snacks card, and she gets to get some 'rest' time. To finish all 6 boxes, she needs around 30-45 minutes, depending on the tasks. Below are the tasks we did this week. I only meant it as a 'trial' to see how she is adapting. Surprisingly, she is very compliant with the structure and routine I introduced.

Simple 6-piece puzzle. - Done by herself.

Match/trace the banana to each monkey. - with help.

Animal board puzzle. - done by herself while I tried to initiate some speech
by saying the names  as she puts them in place.

Simple size sequencing I made. - done by self. 

Scissors practice. - with help.

Handwriting practice - with help.

I have yet to introduce the system to my boy at the end of the month, when his school break off for year end holiday. Wish me luck!