Task bins, work bins, work boxes, morning bins—whatever you call them, you need to use them.
So what are they?
Task bins can be implemented at different times of day, depending on the structure of your schedule, and follow different systems.
Ideally, you implement task bins simultaneously every day, where independent work is promoted.
It could be morning work, rotation stations, or entire time dedicated to doing just task bins.
Over the course of my time in the classroom, I found that not all systems, like the labeled bins or drawer systems, work for my students, and nor do all times to implement them.
There were too many steps, and my students were not ready for them. I started implementing my morning task bin system as a trial and have not looked back. In this module, I will teach you why my morning system is so beneficial, how to set it up, and how to implement it. Let’s dive in.
WHAT ARE MORNING BINS?
An independent work bin system comprised of individualized bins for students and a set of follow-up bins used post-completion of their individualized bin.
They are Individualized to the student’s skill set and are used to help promote independence while working on school readiness skills and IEP goals.
They are implemented in the morning as students arrive.
Before implementing morning bins, I found this time to be chaotic. Students trickle in at various times, and there may be only one adult in the room.
Some students need time to get acclimated to the classroom, others need to eat breakfast or use the bathroom, and some may even need time to get a quick nap in.
How the heck to you let all of those things happen while still allowing the students who are ready to go to start their school day?!
Implementing the morning bin system during arrival adds structure but with lots of flexibility for those who need it.
HOW IT WORKS
- Students have a bin labeled specifically for them with their name/picture that remains on a shelf.
- The student brings the bin to the table and completes the task
- When the task is completed, they return it to the shelf and then can get a bin of their choice. The choice bins should be a different color. For example, the work bins in my classroom were clear, and the choice bins were blue.
Okay, but what about what goes in the bins, and what are student expectations for morning bins?
I explain all of that in my mini Mornin Bins training. Come back soon where you can learn how to gain access. In the meantime, check out this walk-through video of my Morning Bin system linked HERE