Create a Morning Work Basket for Older Students
A morning work basket isn’t just for young students. Older students can be more independent with a morning work basket of their own.
What Is a Morning Work Basket?
A work basket doesn’t have to be a literal basket.
It can be a file folder, a letter tray, an online document, or a clipboard.
Whatever the format, a morning work basket lists assignments and contains necessary items for the student to complete some subjects independently.
Benefits of a Morning Work Basket for Older Students
The morning is a busy time, especially for the teaching parent.
If you have younger children, they likely take much of your morning time.
Older students shouldn’t simply be around waiting for instructions.
A morning work basket gives them everything they need to start their schoolwork independently (no coaching from you).
It allows for a productive start to the day.
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Ideas for a Morning Work Basket for Older Students
What can you put in a morning work basket for older students?
Check out this list of ideas.
Journal Prompts
A journal helps students practice their writing skills.
Reflective prompts assist the student in thinking deeply.
Brain Teasers
Your older student can improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills through brain teasers and logic puzzles.
Vocab Flashcards
Your student can practice foreign language vocabulary words or expand his English vocabulary with flashcards.
They can also make the flashcards as another morning work basket activity.
Math Practice Worksheets
Practice math problems with worksheets.
Morning work baskets are best for reviewing concepts, not introducing new ones.
Reading Comprehension Passages
Work on reading comprehension by assigning passages and reading comprehension questions.
Art Projects
Place art supplies in (or near) the morning work basket to encourage creative expression and exploration.
You can give drawing prompts or allow for free expression (but put a time limit on it).
Science Experiment Kits
Hands-on learning is always fun. Put a science experiment kit in the morning work basket.
Coding Challenges
Develop STEM skills with coding challenges or programming tasks.
Current Events
Include a current events article for analysis.
You could require a simple summary or ask comprehension questions about it.
Worksheets for Language Practice
Worksheets (or quizzes) on foreign language vocabulary and grammar are great for a morning work basket for older students.
Logic Games
Warm up those reasoning skills for the day with crossword puzzles or sudoku.
DIY Science Projects
No kit is necessary! Have your older student follow instructions for a science lab or project. You provide the materials.
Or turn them loose to design their own science project.
Creative Writing Prompts
Develop your student’s storytelling ability by assigning a creative writing prompt.
Primary Sources
Learn all about history from the people who were there! Have your older student read and annotate a primary source document.
Engineering Kits
Work on your student’s spatial reasoning skills by assigning a building or robotics kit.
Graphic Organizers
Does your older student need to plan their schedule, a project, or a piece of writing?
Place a graphic organizer in the morning work basket so they can break the task down into parts.
Music Composition Tools
Explore musical creativity by asking the student to compose a piece of music for their instrument or using an online music generator.
Debate Prep
Have your student research a debate topic and come up with points and evidence to support those points.
Critical Reading Passages
Critical reading passages are standard components of the SAT.
Provide a passage and ask reading comprehension and analysis questions.
Label or Draw Maps
Work on geography knowledge (and cartography skills) by drawing or tracing maps of various parts of the world.
Digital Literacy Skills
Access online resources to work on digital literacy skills.
These could include word processing, presentation, design, and spreadsheet software tutorials.
Math Games
Make learning fun and engaging by assigning math games like “24” and “KenKen.”
Virtual Field Trip
Many cities, museums, zoos, and historical sites offer virtual field trips. Assign one for the morning work basket.
Check out these virtual field trips to get started.
What to Put in a Morning Work Basket for Older Students
Your older student can be productive and independent with a morning work basket.
Try some of these ideas (and change them up periodically) to give every morning a strong start.
