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Things a 2nd grader can do independently?


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Our ABA tutor wants ds to have things he can do independently for 10-15 minutes during a session, some kind of independent work. So not like unloading the dishes or chores, lol, but things he can pull from a basket and choose to do to busy himself. So far we've done Highlights hidden pictures (loved), small puzzles (hard for him, didn't love), file folder games (not sure how those went). He has all three SLDs (reading, writing, and math) but is crazy bright, so he's getting bored with what we have but can't easily do all things without assistance.

 

Any suggestions on things your kids around this age (8) can do independently?  I was thinking like maybe Usborne sticker books, some kind of kits from Hobby Lobby, task cards. Thing is, even the TOPS cards labeled for K-3, like Lentil Science, are too hard for him to do independently. He gets totally flustered. So it's like what would interest a bright 8 yo but be simple enough in format that a 6 yo could do it, kwim? 

 

I was even thinking some little logic games might work.  We played Zoologic today, and I was thinking he could do that independently.

 

Any suggestions?

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What about MiniLuk books?  We have Versatiles and Fun Thinkers (same thing), and the kids love them.  Independent and reusable, though they can get pricey so if you can find them second hand that's probably best.

 

We also have the Super Mind cards that go along with pattern blocks.  Oh, and paint by numbers!

 

And, my 6yo took up knitting.  If you have a hobby that you can teach easily and give some 1:1 assistance for a few weeks, that might be a good thing, too.

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My 7 and 8 year olds love it when I give them free reign over the math manipulatives.  Their favorite is the set of pattern blocks, followed by tanagrams and fraction tiles.  They also enjoy Sudoku, mazes, and building 3d shapes from magnetic blocks. 

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Are there physical disabilities, like fine motor? Should it be school related, physical, anything?

 

Laser logic game or other independent strategy games (think fun games makes that, I think). There's are tons of cool independent logic games.

 

Punch out toys: DS loved little robot ones but they sell others (book format sold on Amazon).

 

Maybe independent art like home art studio DVDs if you set out supplies?

 

Mazes.

 

Felt sewing kits (safe needles) or punch pillow kits? Depending on the kid, even real sewing kits.

 

Those perler bead kits. If there's a fine motor concern or for an easier type of kit, I'd recommend qixils (no ironing involved).

 

Loom kits.

 

Paper airplane kits (books).

 

Small Lego kit.

 

Light brite.

 

Shrinky dinks.

 

Dart game (with safe darts).

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mazes

very simple word searches

connect the dots pages

paint by number kit

paint with water book

lacing cards

soap carving

Kumon scissor and folding workbook pages

simple origami

Creating Line Designs, book 1 and book 2

1-2-3 Draw books by Levin

The Big Yellow Drawing Book

Play Tiles -- vintage toy of building from a printed design -- or print simple Lego designs to recreate

 

1-2 workbook pages from one of the The Complete Book of ... books (1st Grade, Time & Money, Science, etc.)

Kindergarden or 1st Grade level task cards

Math Discoveries with Pattern Blocks (gr. 2-3)

Math Discoveries with Tangrams (gr. 2-3)

Math Discoveries with Geoboards (gr. 2-3)

1-2 pages of a Patternables or other pattern blocks workbook or printable work page 

Edited by Lori D.
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Lots of math manipulative play: 

 

dominoes with domino cards

Tangrams

Logic puzzles

Shapes with shape cards

Math It addition/subtraction 

Geoboards -- either playing with string to form shapes or copying shapes from cards

File folder games

Matching analog and digital time

Cuisenaire rod games

 

Language Arts: 

Practice spelling words in sand

Beginning alphabetical order

File Folder Games

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Lots of math manipulative play: 

 

dominoes with domino cards

Tangrams

Logic puzzles

Shapes with shape cards

Math It addition/subtraction 

Geoboards -- either playing with string to form shapes or copying shapes from cards

File folder games

Matching analog and digital time

Cuisenaire rod games

 

Language Arts: 

Practice spelling words in sand

Beginning alphabetical order

File Folder Games

 

Wow, that really gets my mind to whirling!!  There's all kind of potential there!! 

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They're not cheap, but Smart Games makes a lot of single player logic games that are great. We really like Colour Code: https://www.amazon.com/SmartGames-SG-090-Color-Code/dp/B004TGVIWU

 

Do you have a Lakeshore Learning store? It's a great place to browse for ideas.

 

What about a small box of Lego bricks with instructions? There are lots of free instructions online and you could print them out.

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