Taskbox Time-- Life Skills Sorting

Sorting is an important skill that can be worked on at any age level. As students get older, many teachers begin to look at sorting activities that replicate every day life skills needed in the home and community. Today's Taskbox Time features some of the life skill sorting taskboxes we have seen our teams using across the Miami Valley.

Many sorting activities can be made using common kitchen items such as dishes, cups, or utensils.

Sorting bowls by color and type
(bottom bowl is glued to tagboard and students stack corresponding bowls)

Sorting cups by type in takeout carrier

Sort plastic utensils and package in Ziploc baggy

Sort utensils into containers
(one utensil is glued to bottom of each container as a cue)

Sort plastic utensils into utensil tray with visual cue
Robbie Whorton
Trotwood-Madison HS, Trotwood

There are also a variety of options for sorting office supplies. These are great items to use when creating life skills sorting tasks because they are readily accessible in the school setting.

Sort by type into utensil tray
(one utensil is glued to bottom of slot as a cue)

Sort by type into divided organizer given visual cue

Sort supplies by color into matching pencil pouch

Sorting laundry is also an important life skill.

Sorting darks and lights
Robbie Whorton
Trotwood-Madison HS, Trotwood

Sorting socks and clipping pairs together

Sorting is also an important vocational skill that can help students prepare for success with stocking shelves or creating store displays.  

Robbie Whorton
Trotwood-Madison HS, Trotwood

Rebecca Lemons
Miamisburg Middle School, Miamisburg

Other functional sorting tasks include sorting coins,

sorting hair accessories,

and sorting recyclables.

Laurie Maravetz
Schaefer Middle School, Springfield

Many taskboxes can be made simply with common household and office supplies. The Target dollar bins and Dollar Tree also offer affordable materials for easy taskbox assembly. Other organizations provide donations. In the Miami Valley, many teachers volunteer at Crayons for Classrooms or attend the Montgomery County Material Reuse Facility's Teacher Shopping Days.

For more ideas check out some of our favorite structured work system books.

For more ideas of functional life skill activities and supports you can provide in your classroom check out last week's Life Skills Visuals-- Around Town Round Up!