If you’re running centers in your self-contained classroom, task boxes are the secret sauce to making them smooth, independent, and effective. But not all task boxes are created equal. After years of trial, error, and teacher feedback, I’ve found the top 10 tried-and-true task boxes that work in any special education center—from preschool to upper elementary.
The best part? You can use these across multiple levels of learners, and they target foundational skills your students need all year long.
1. Community Matching + Sorting Task Box (Free Download!)
🧠 Focus Skills: Matching, Sorting, Categorizing
📦 Get it for FREE here: Community Matching + Sorting 4-Pack
This free 4-pack of task boxes is a must-have for any independent work system. Students practice real-life categorizing and visual discrimination skills with community-themed pictures—think stores, services, jobs, and everyday people. Each box is simple to prep and powerful for reinforcing life skills.
2. Matching Emotions
Support social-emotional learning by helping students identify and match real pictures of facial expressions. This task box is great for morning work, SEL centers, or calm-down areas.
📦 Grab it inside the Matching Emotions Task Box
3. Staple It – Fine Motor Center
Build hand strength and fine motor skills with this engaging task that students love. They’ll staple to match or complete tasks—great for centers or OT push-in time.
📦 Grab it inside the Fine Motor Center: Staple It
4. Math Matching + Sorting
If your students are working on early math concepts, this set is a perfect fit. Use it to target sorting by number, quantity, and color—all while building independence.
📦 Grab it inside the Task Box 4-Pack: Math (Matching + Sorting)
5. Shapes Matching + Sorting
Perfect for reinforcing 2D shape identification in a hands-on way! These sorting mats are easy to prep and great for independent work, direct teaching, or early finishers.
📦 Grab it inside the Task Box 4-Pack: Shapes (Matching + Sorting)
6. Vegetable Picture Matching
Target real-world vocabulary and visual discrimination at the same time! This resource is ideal for functional life skills units or thematic centers.
📦 Grab it inside the Real Picture Matching: Vegetables
7. Life Skills Sorting
These worksheets have students are great for functional life skills.
✨ You’ll find these inside the Life Skills Sorting Worksheets and Life Skills Work Tasks
8. Summer Matching + Sorting
Keep engagement high during summer sessions or ESY with this fun, seasonal 4-pack. Students practice matching and sorting with bright, engaging visuals.
📦 Grab it inside the Task Box 4-Pack: Summer (Matching + Sorting)
9. Number Sequencing – Flowers
This flower-themed file folder is perfect for practicing number order and sequencing with a visual twist. Print or go digital depending on your classroom needs!
📦 Grab it inside the Numbers File Folders: Flowers (Print + Digital)
10. Letter Matching – Earth Day
Practice letter identification with a seasonal twist! This file folder is perfect for Earth Day centers or springtime ELA practice in a print-and-go or digital format.
📦 Grab it inside the Letters File Folders: Earth Day
Get Organized
Organize your independent work task boxes with ease using these Task Box System Labels with Real Pictures from Simply Special Ed.
Bonus: Want to Try a Task Box for Free?
🎁 I’ve got a free Task Box download waiting for you at shop.simplyspecialed.com.
Try it out and see how much smoother your centers can run with task boxes in your rotation!
Whether you’re brand new to centers or a task box pro, these 10 boxes will save you time, build independence, and help your students meet their goals. Add a few (or all!) to your classroom and watch your centers run themselves—well, almost. 😉
Start Building Your Routine Today
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, don’t worry—you’re not alone! The Simple Centers System is here to help you create a structured, predictable classroom that works for you and your students.
Ready to make centers work for you? Check out the Simple Centers System and take the first step toward a consistent, thriving classroom today!
Learn More About Independent Work
What is a 3 Drawer Workbox System
Sorting Activities for Independent Work
3 Types of Structured Work Systems
