I talked before about wanting to try a modified workbox system with Danielle. Not having room for a full workbox system, I settled for work folders, one folder for each subject. This had moderate success, but was annoying for me to have to refill EVERY NIGHT, bleh..
Plus, one of Danielle’s biggest issues is she gets overwhelmed. She looks at her reading book and sees this HUGE TOME that she’s expected to read, and can’t get past that to see that she is only reading one story at a time, KWIM? She CONSTANTLY asks me what she has to do next, when will she be done, how much more does she have. The folders for each subject didn’t really help that problem, because until she opened the folder she had no idea what or how much was in it. So it created anxiety for her.
So, on Monday, we started a new system. One folder for each day. In her rack she gets her one folder, plus any necessary books, or supplies to finish the work in the one folder. That way she can see exactly how much she has to do, as soon as she sits down at the table.
Mind you, we’ve only been doing it for 2 days, but I tell you what, it’s been two tantrum free days. There has been significantly less anxiety, and not once has she asked how much she has left to do. She can now see at a glance how many more subject, how many more worksheets or how much more reading she has to go!
PLUS as a bonus for me, I only have to fill them once a week, with minor adjustments during the week! She works at her own pace, and has post it notes to tell her when she needs to come to me for review, assistance or for her to read something to me! MUCH less hovering needed on my part for her to be able to get her work done