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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 8:52am | IP Logged
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OK, before I make an investment here, I would love some input.
Other than just matching the shapes to the cards and learning the names of the shapes, what is done with the geometry cabinet?
1. How do your children use it (Andrea, you said it gets used a lot in your home)
2. and/or what are your ideas for future use?
I just am not sure if dc will get enough use to justify the cost, you know? But I am willing to invest if it will get lots of use.
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Theresa
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Maryan
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:09am | IP Logged
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This would be interesting to hear...
And does anyone have ALL the geometric solids? I have some (from Right Start), but don't have some of the really cool Plato ones (Dodecohedron, etc...)
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Maryan
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Angel
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:18am | IP Logged
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Theresa,
I think I'm going to bite the bullet and order one, probably from Alison's Montessori. Here are my reasons:
1. My 4 yo likes puzzles, and these are sort of like puzzles. I think he'll like it.
2. The geometry cabinet is also used in elementary for more complicated geometry, so I'll be able to use it with my 8 yo (and maybe my 10 yo) as well.
3. I have several more little ones coming up. (Sort of applicable to your situation with your dgs, maybe?)
4. I can resell it when we're done with it. (Provided the little people don't damage it beyond all recognition.)
--Angela
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Angel
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:28am | IP Logged
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Looks like the cabinet is cheaper here
though. (Thanks to the cylinder thread!) I've never ordered from them, though -- does anyone know what the quality is like?
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Genevieve
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:59am | IP Logged
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I made mine out of cardboard and exacto knife. You could use foam sheets. It wasn't so bad with print-outs from JMJ. My toddler uses it as a puzzle. My 4yr old currently tries to build them out of Legos. Not accurate of course but he is beginning to see the difference in angles and lengths. 
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Meredith
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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I have not invested in these yet, but they are definately on my list!!  I am pretty sure ALL my dc would use them in some form or another and to have the physical object rather than just a stamp or their own drawing of the geometric shape would be very helpful in solidifying the concept (abstract as it amy be).
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Meredith
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AndreaG
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 5:44pm | IP Logged
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Well this is quick b/c its almost dinner time- some things my different ages use the Geo cabinet for:
3-yr-old: as a puzzle and to learn the vocab. She has just started matching the shapes to the cards.
5-year-old: traces shapes (and colors them) to make a shape book, he also does it as a puzzle, we have also tried punching out his tracings with punching tool
8-year-old: makes a shape book, and write names of shapes, also we have gone through the MTC elementary geometry lessons, I seem to remember these were mostly matching cards with the names of shapes with the shapes from each drawer and discussing the meaning of the names (ie poly means many, gon means side)
8-month-old: will use these as simple puzzles, I will give him one at a time instead of a whole drawer (and start with the easiest shape a circle)
There are probably more possibilites these are just what we have done- I think that grammar command cards could be incorporated ie find a small circle, find a scalene triangle.
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Andrea
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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Very helpful, Andrea. Thanks!
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Theresa
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AndreaG
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| Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:15pm | IP Logged
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I just thought of 2 more Geo cabinet extensions:
1. Put the insets on one work mat, and each set of cards (solid, thick outline, thin outline) on 3 more work mats in various locations in the room. The child selects a shape then tries to retrieve all the corresponding cards without bringing the inset along to the other mats.
2. I am planning to make cards from the pictures at the Montessori By Hand blog to match to the shapes.
I bought my Geo cabinet b/c it seemed like there were alot of presentations for it, it can be used by multiple ages, and I wasn't able to make it- I tried to make it out of funfoam and wasn't happy with the results. I got mine from Alison's and am very happy with the quality. I believe someone posted that Alison's will match competitors prices. Their service is very good, and I think the quality is about the same as Montessori Concepts.
As far as the Solids go, I have a natural wood set, but am hoping to get the big blue montessori ones. They seem more appealing to little ones. I really like these little books to go with them fromMontessori Services
Theresa, I hope some of this info helps your decision making! And you aren't all spending too much!
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Meredith
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 7:58pm | IP Logged
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Andrea, I LOVE the Montessori By Hand picture cards, they are so cool! And thanks for the heads up on the booklets at Mont. Serv's, they have great stuff as well.
I'm sold, now to check the budget again 
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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Just a heads up, speaking of geometry cabinets. I noticed that the one at Montessori concepts has 4 blanks, rather than just one (as in Alisons and Montessori Outlet)and that concerned me, wondering which shapes are missing? Alison's are on back order, so I ordered mine from MO.
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Theresa
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Angi
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 11:09pm | IP Logged
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I have just started introducting this to my children. Today the twins (23 mos) were shown circle, square, and triangle. They seem to have learned these shapes some other time b/c they were able to name them right away but they loved using the material puzzle style.
My 5 1/2 yo dd used the shapes by tracing an outline and filling it in one line at a time. She did pretty well for her first time.
My question - someone gave me everything that goes into a geometry cabinet, all shapes/insets/cards but not the cabinet. Her husband was prob planning on making one. Could someone send me the dimentions for the presentation tray for this material? I will try to find someone to make it for me.
Thanks
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SuzanneG
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Angi wrote:
| Today the twins (23 mos) were shown circle, square, and triangle. They seem to have learned these shapes some other time b/c they were able to name them right away |
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Yeah, funny how that happens, isn't it?
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Suzanne in ID
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Meredith
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The one at Montessori-n-Such says it hold three blank tiles and three insets for $25.00??? So the tray is diveded into 6. I think I'm getting the one at Kids Advance, I'll try and link it later...
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Meredith
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: June 04 2007 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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Here is the link for the Geometric Solids at Kid Advance.
(fixed the link)
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Suzanne in ID
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Erin
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I have looked at making the shapes and the inserts and then the outines. But what do you think of this shape puzzle on ebay? Is it very Montesorri?
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Meredith
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Erin, i think it's VERY Montessori, certainly Montessori inspired!! I have this Melissa & Doup Shapes Puzzle for my two yo and he loves it! He's learning the names of the shapes just fine and enjoyes the large knobs and colors. I think it's a nice precursor o the Geometric Cabinet, just my thoughts!
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Erin
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| Posted: June 06 2007 at 7:41am | IP Logged
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Thanks Meredith
So price was is around the $12 mark (item plus postage) good? What is the general sort of price for something like this?
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Erin
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Meredith
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These puzzles usually range between $9.99-$14.99-ish. I would check your local toy stores, or even Toys-R-US (ooh, I really didn't want to type that here  ) Most regular toy stores carry the Melissa & Doug which are pretty good quality that I have found.
HTH!
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Meredith
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 07 2007 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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Anyone printed the forms cards that go along with the cabinet exercises from online?? Can't seem to find a link  Thanks!
ETA (again): Nevermind, I just found these at Alison's, done! Hmm, seem to be talking to myself alot today
ETA:Theresa, or anyone, did you receive/order the Constructive Triangles, what is the material, are they wood?? I really think these will be beneficial (not only to me) but my older two dc.
Thanks for any help here!
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Meredith
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Geometry cabinet
