The WIP Box

It’s not just a box in a classroom…

The large rectangular box sits inconspicuously in the back of the classroom. It has four columns of 7 rectangular cubbies. Each student gets one, so 24 slots are taken this year. The box is the “work-in-progress” box, a key component of Mrs. Schaefer’s growth mindset classroom. It holds the incomplete work of the seven- and 8-year-olds in her second-grade class. Oh, but it holds so much more than incomplete papers.

It holds possibilities!

Each day Mrs. Schaefer teaches a whole-group lesson and then divides the class into small groups. She meets with one group at a time to cover the lesson in depth while the other groups cycle through three 15-minute centers. The kids have an assignment to complete in each center. When it’s time to transition to the next center, students must choose one of two options: turn in their completed work, or place unfinished work in their WIP box. All work-in-progress is due at the end of the week. 

Work in Progress

The work-in-progress box empowers students to take responsibility for their work, regardless of their circumstances. For instance, let’s say a student has a tummy ache and spends 15 minutes in the bathroom. No problem! That student’s unfinished work goes into WIP. Student leaves early for a doctor’s appointment? No big deal. Student plays with her pencil instead of using it to write? It happens. Student needs a bandaid from the nurse for a hangnail? No biggie. Student is playing when she’s supposed to be working? Whatever. It doesn’t matter. All incomplete work goes into the work-in-progress cubby and must be finished by the end of the week, no excuses.

Surprisingly, most of Schaefer’s second graders do well keeping up with their work-in-progress. Of course, there is always that one kid…

There’s always one…

In every class, there is at least one kid who does almost anything to avoid completing her work. Who knows why? Maybe she doesn’t grasp the concept, perhaps she deems it useless and not worth her time, or it might be work she thinks she already knows (practicing is so overrated). Regardless, that one kid is enough to make a good elementary teacher beat her head against a wall and ask herself, “Why doesn’t this kid understand that the skill I teach is for a purpose? Anything she misses will result in delayed growth because the foundation won’t be there to build upon.”

In those situations, Mrs. Schaefer gently reminds her students that she’s not trying to make things hard by giving frivolous work. She explains, “I love you so much that I created this for you. I did it because you need this skill for what we will do next. Therefore, it goes in your WIP until you get it, so you’ll be ready to move to the next level.”

I swear I’ve heard God say that same thing to me! “Emily, this is information you will need in the future. Learn the lesson so you can build on it, or expect to see it again tomorrow!” If only I were as responsible as a second grader…

You’re still cool!

On the classroom level, Mrs. Schaefer’s WIP box empowers her second graders to be responsible and take ownership of things they need to work on. (Yay!) But it has a lesson for the adults who walk into her classroom, too! First, it reminds us our kids are still in the process of becoming who they are meant to be. They aren’t perfect, nor should we expect them to be. They are constantly in the midst of learning math, science, reading, and social studies, but most of all, learning how to be individuals with heart, soul, and character.

Secondly, the WIP box reminds us that we, as adults, are also works-in-progress. Though we are guides, mentors, and teachers, we are still imperfect and need work. And kids LOVE to point that out! Mrs. Schaefer’s kids have a saying when she makes an error in spelling or something of that nature. They say, “That’s ok, Mrs. Schaefer. You’re still cool!” It’s a powerful reminder that even adults in charge are growing and learning.

The work-in-progress box in Schaefer’s room isn’t just a box of “to-do” papers for second-graders. It’s a gift for parents, teachers, and students who want to celebrate being a work in progress with endless potential!

Thanks for the inspiration, Cara.