The Rush of Creativity

I have a project! I have a project!

I offered to make workboxes for a teacher at my facility who absolutely does not know how to or have any interest in making these tasks for his students. I do and figured I should use my very expensive education to do some of the things that I learned as a student. So, I get to bring out my curriculum and instruction minor as well as my creative side and my penchant for making things as efficient as possible to create! Hooray!!

I have IEP goals, a small budget, and the permission to make whatever I think will enrich these experiences for my students.

This is an excellent example of my favorite quote:

Structures are restraints - a way of limiting.

What you can build within restraints and structures is almost limitless.

Corita Kent

I have the following structure to work within:

1. IEP-based tasks
2. Limited space for storage
3. All worktasks have to be facilitated by paraeducators with little to no training
4. As soon as possible

I also have many ideas that I think I can turn into practical and multi-functional tasks that will have meaning for my students. I'm going to focus on making the first batch this Friday morning.

While the teacher at first said he wanted workboxes, I've since asked several questions and he really doesn't seem to care what the tasks look like as long as they are functional. That opens up many more possibilities for me, and I'll do file folder things first off. I can do those projects without having to go shopping. My goal is seven tasks this Friday, and I am on my way.

Most of the students in this classroom are working on basic sorting and matching tasks, but there are some who are working on more complex tasks. I'm hoping to have some multi-stage tasks that several students have to work on in order to complete the entire task. For example, one student matches pictures to a list and places the list in a folder. The next student takes the completed folder and has to match prices to each of the items. The third student then adds up the prices and places the amount of money needed in an envelope for shopping later on in the day. Voila! Multiple functions in a single task!!

This is the kind of thing that I love. It is my passion - creative solutions to ordinary problems. While I'm doing general workboxes, I'll probably create some music-themed boxes as well. Might as well, since I am, after all, a MUSIC therapist!

I will try to remember to take my camera to work with me tomorrow so I can post some of my projects. Is there anything in particular that you want to see or know about what I'll be doing over the next several weeks? Let me know in the comments section!!