204. Teaching Students to Work Independently: 5 Ways to Stretch Their Skills

Autism Classroom Resources Podcast: A Podcast for Special Educators

How do we advance independent work systems once our students know how to complete it on their own? The goal of independent work systems is to help students build independence. In order to help our students learn to work independently, it is crucial that we know how to adjust the work system when necessary to bump up the level of independence needed to complete it.

Using independent work systems isn’t meant to be just a way to get students to complete tasks independently within the system. We want students to increase their ability to work independently so they can be more independent in other situations in the classroom, as well as in a work environment as they get older. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 ways that we can change our independent work systems to fit our more independent students and to build their skills as they become more independent.

03:49 - How moving the task boxes away from our students’ tables helps develop independence

07:16 - Why we may want to start leaving materials out of the system

08:43 - How using a “raise your hand” visual can be helpful for students who have a tendency to not do their work carefully

09:21 - Ideas for how to help students become more independent in the work system using lists

09:53 - How to expand the work system and move beyond boxes to help students use them in different environments

Show Notes: http://autismclassroomresources.com/episode204

Resources:

• Check out my TpT store for Independent Work Resources
• Watch the Independent Work Systems Webinar
• Using Foldables in Structured Work Systems: Advanced Tasks with a Seasonal Freebie
• Workbasket Wednesday: Advanced Structured Work Systems
• Why I Don’t Like Drawer Carts for Independent Work Systems
• Get My Book: Building Independence: How to Create and Use Structured Work Systems - Future Horizons Publishers
• Shop my Book: Building Independence: How to Create and Use Structured Work Systems on Amazon (Affiliate Link)
• Join the Autism Classroom Resources' Free Resource Library
• Get more information about the Special Educator Academy
• Join the Free Facebook Group

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