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Katie
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Short story: I have to spend $2000 on educational supplies and materials for my kindergartener. I have already spent or allocated a thousand for ballet lessons, craft supplies, some educational games, CD's, and several mammoth Amazon and Bookcloseouts orders (lots of books!). I am given this money for home education in lieu of putting my daughter into the International School here.
I realy have everything I need for a kindergartener. I use Five in a Row and make lapbooks for that. We have lots and lots of books. I have several reading curricula, too. I realy don't think I need more "curriculum" if you know what I mean.
There is a reason I'm posting this on the Montessori board (really, truly!). I love all things Montessori; the philosophy, the gorgeous wooden manipulatives, the idea of calm and order. It occurred to me that a good investment of the money might be in some really great Montessori materials, which this child and the two waiting in the wings behind her could use, not to mention my 7yo (currently at the International School here).
I am considering purchasing this huge package of materials from Little City Kids. Does anyone have any comments on the quality of their products, and their prices? They certainly have a great guarantee and seem to be much cheaper than Nienhuis et al. There are other packages, smaller than this one, for subsequent months, such as one containing all the puzzle maps. Some items I don't need, such as a huge dressing rack. I figure we can paractice on the real thing for a heck of a savings.
This site recommends A Guide for the Montessori Classroom. Does anyone have any comments on this as a guide for a homeschool situation? Is there something better out there?
And finally, am I buying these things for me or my kindergartener? Will they be used? Do I need all this to bring a sense of Montessori into my homeschool and my home? I have made some things in the past, and although I like my bead chains I dislike laminated cardstock and find I don't want to get it out. I have the space, so that's not an issue. Would the money be spent better elsewhere? Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and your perspective.
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Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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mary
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If I had an extra 1K I would spend it on an atrium
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Katie
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Mary,
Yes! I have been following the atrium threads closely, and I am very excited and intrigued by the idea. I will be ordering the first of Moira's albums and I hope to be able to gather the materials I need here in Tbilisi at a minimal cost. We have a fabulous wooden toy shop here with beautifully crafted animals and people, and I thought I could use these for the Parable of the Good Shepherd and other parables. Also there are many shops catering to Orthodox items and I think I could find many of the altar supplies I need. There are many unemployed artisans here, too, and I really think I could get things beautifully made here on the cheap. I looked at one of the websites linked in the other thread; the wooden items are so outrageously expensive, but I know that they are well made and that each item takes time. Labor is cheap here, so I will explore that avenue, I think. I need to check with my husband regarding spending the government's money on religious educational supplies. I read the rules pretty thoroughly and don't remember such a caveat, but better be safe than sorry.
I thought it interesting that Elizabeth talked about the impossibility of recreating a real Montessori classroom in the home in the atrium thread you linked me to. (Sorry former English teachers for that awful run on sentence). It is ironic that I currently have a "fat wallet" when my budget for homeschooling in previous years has been at most a couple hundred bucks.
Thanks again, Mary. I will revisit the atrium idea, order Moira's books to get me started, and see where it takes me.
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Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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Jen L.
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Hi,
I am not formally trained in the Atrium, but I know that they teach that the parables should be "2 dimensional" (i.e. flat) and that 3-d should be reserved for "REAL things". For instance, our mass kit is just a miniature of the real thing, but our Pearl of Great Price set has a wood-cut out merchant (he can still stand up). Just thought I'd mention it before you start buying.:-)
Jen
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Elizabeth
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Oh my goodness! I have NEVER seen that site! Now, I want five more primary aged kids! Katie, most people don't have the "problem" you do, so it is impossible to create a Montessori classroom at home. With that kind of upfront money though, you could come pretty close. If I were you, I absolutely would buy a complete set of FIAR picture books and then I'd buy Montessori.
I'm having trouble with my broadband and don't have the patience to click through the site on dial-up and I don't know anything about quality but...I would definitely get a moveable alphabet and i don't see that on the list. If I can get some time to poke around the site, I'd be happy to spend your money for you  . And I don't think you are buying these things for you. I think a few basic MOntessori things and then some money towards an atrium and you will be investing in all your children.
On the other hand, they will look so lovely, maybe it is a little bit for you  .
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Jen L.
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I just checked out the site too -- it looks great with some really good prices. I did find the moveable alphabet, but notice that it has only 1 of each letter. I believe at least 3 of each letter is nice to have. No matter what -- have fun spending the money! 
Jen
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Katie
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Thanks Jen and Elizabeth for the advice and encouragement. I already have the FIAR books, except for those pesky out-of-print ones (and I have some of those, truth be told). I ordered Moira's first album, so I can delve into that in more detail, but I think I'll go ahead and place an order with the LittleCityKids site. Elizabeth, if you get your braodband back and have a few minutes to check out the site, I would really appreciate your comments. I am already excited about how it might all look on the copious shelving in my family/school room. My husband thinks I'm nuts, so it's nice to "talk" to someone who understands. Repeat after me....this is for my kindergartener, this is for my kindergartener.....
I might email them about the moveable alphabet. It looks like they are using these items in their schools, so it seems strange that there is only one of each letter in the set they are selling. That really limits the spelling.
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Elizabeth
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One of each letter won't work. Maybe you should get the alphabet from Neinhaus...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Katie
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I took another look at the site, and they have two moveable alphabets available. One is a clearance item for about $28, which has just one of each letter. They also have one for $102 which has 5 of each consonant and 10 of each vowel, which would be fabulous. Here it is: Large Moveable Alphabet The moveable alphabet is included in the October package also, but it is unclear which one they are referring to. I'll email and find out. I wonder how much Nienhuis charges. Off to investigate
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Elizabeth
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Katie,
I think the prices are reasonable for Montessori. Montessori is notoriusly expensive so "reasonable" is relative. I like the the way they've laid out the curriculum plan and the materials in packages, though I would add the large moveable alphabet right away.I don't know anything about quality but it certainly looks authentic and substantial.
Assuming the quality is good, I think this is a good investment. You'll use it with all your kids and then it really does have good resale value on ebay.
I'm not at all familiar with the book but I think I'd get it if I were you. I think it will tie it all together in a comprehensive manner and you'll be able to know which materials to present, how and when.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Robin
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If I had $1000 I would go crazy at Worship Woodworks!
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Robin Dupre
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Katie
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Robin,
I hadn't seen that site before. It would be good to link it to the Atrium thread if it isn't already. I'll spend some time digging through there later.
I have almost decided to go with that big package, plus a moveable alphabet, plus the geography package (I think it's the December one). Living overseas means geography and maps are a big hit around here. Next year I can add to this collection if I want.
I really appreciate the ideas. To clarify, I have $2000 to spend, having already spent and additional $1000 on primarily books, some games, and some books on CD. Next year I'll have a first grader and a kindergartener, and then you guys can really help me shop!!  It is the best perk of living here, among many wonderful perks.
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Elizabeth
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I don't think I knew about that site either. The printable checklist is very hand. I'll cross-check that with Moira's book. Still, it's pricey...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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Elizabeth wrote:
| I don't think I knew about that site either. |
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Can I hijack this thread briefly? This makes two resources for COGS that you weren't aware of...and I'm only aware of three resources in toto: Our Father's House, Catholic Montessori and JMJ Publishing. I have two questions:
1) How much outlay would one have to spend starting from scratch introducing Moira's 3-6 yo notebook in the home?
2) Could someone kindly point me to a list or where I could find a list of resources to get these materials, please?
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Cay Gibson
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Jenn,
I hit the dollar store for two of the parables:
Mustard Seed
Pearl of Great Price
In a crunch, I used resin wise men figures for the pearl merchant and vendor. That was just for the presentation. The pearl merchant had his hands outstretched together which was perfect for placing the pearl in his hands at the end. I need to get two figures that the children can use *hands-on*.
I went to Michael's craft shop and bought a small wooden treasure chest (.50 cents) which I hand painted and trimmed in glitter gold paint. I got cushions from Avon jewelry boxes (a friend sells) and placed them in the boxes. I glued faux pearls and jewels in one of them and placed the pearl of great price by itself in the other.
The mustard seed I bought at the religious shop in a glassed-in heart and placed it in the *secret box*.
My ds cut me a wooden circular for the Good Shepherd and a wooden Advent Tree.
For our Altar I'm using a white two tier shelf I bought at Wal-Mart a couple years ago. I place a shoebox on top and drape it with the liturgical cloths I bought from JMJ Pub this past summer. I place a white lace over that. I have a small stand-up crucifix that I bought years ago.
I did invest in the minature altar kit this year. A friend had one but was hesitant about hands-on usage since it did have breakable pieces. It was given to her son as a first communion gift.
I just got the liturgical calendar wheel from Our Father's House, ready to start the new Church year.
Just some ideas. Not sure if any of this addresses your question though...
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Cay Gibson
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Tina P.
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Cay Gibson wrote:
Jenn,
I hit the dollar store for two of the parables:
Mustard Seed
Pearl of Great Price
liturgical cloths I bought from JMJ Pub this past summer. |
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A few questions. What did you purchase for the Mustard Seed? and when you say liturgical cloths, are they in the colors for the seasons (red, purple, white, green)? And I can't find any altar linens at JMJ Publishing online (if it's the same as what you describe...).
Thanks,
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Cheryl
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I would like to know where you could purchase figures for the advent presentations. That would be Mary, Gabriel and Elizabeth. (visibly pregnant)
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Cheryl
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Cheryl
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I just looked at the Advent Presentations again and I'm supposed to have figures of Isaiah and Micah also. Any ideas?
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Cheryl
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Sarah
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These materials are all wonderful from all these different sites, but how on earth could we keep them orderly? I worked in a preschool for several years and we maintained many shelves of wonderful materials such as these. It was easy. We played a little xylophone thing and when they heard that they all cleaned up. Then they went home, and we further organized the shelves for the next day. We didn't have to quick make lunch before the baby woke, change a bad diaper, wonder where the two year old was--come to find out she was pouring salt on the stove, etc, etc, etc. (you get the point) This was my morning. I just don't know how I'd keep track of it. How do you keep 2 year olds from trashing it? Do you keep it all up out of reach? Do you sit there with them while they do it, then make sure it was picked up? I tried materials such as these (not this nice, though), with my oldest children and I couldn't keep track of it and it disheartened me to see it missing pieces or lost. We also had puzzles and I got rid of them because they never did them and the pieces were everywhere. I've decided that my kids will be "Puzzle-challenged" and I'll pay for their therapy. I'm not a super uptight cleanie person, either. I'd like to hear how these materials fit into people's homeschools or not. You ladies impress me with my humble home school.
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Tina P.
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Sarah wrote:
| These materials are all wonderful from all these different sites, but how on earth could we keep them orderly? |
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In my dream world, I'd have all these wonderful wooden things and felt things and figues sorted in little drawer-type bins on a shelf. In reality, I freak out when we lose a Trouble game piece.  My kids don't *see* me freak out, but I just can't rest until we find them all and then I sort of hide the game/puzzle for a year or so ... OK, maybe not that long. I've finally given up on finding all the Playmobil around the house. I think I acquired a few gray hairs trying to keep all the sets separate and everything in the set. 
Another thing that bothers me is how we damage boxes. Puzzle boxes, video boxes, you name it, we wreck it. I've always been careful to keep everything in its original package. Not so my kids. 
Yes, nice, wonderful, expensive materials have no place in this house. So how do you (especially those of you who have lots of kids) keep it all together? Half the time my kids can't find their school books, muchless keeping tangrams and moveable alphabets and lovely things like that together.
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Please help me decide what to do!
