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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 12 2006 at 11:37pm | IP Logged
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I have just posted at my blog some pictures of the new Moontessori-ish environment I am setting up for my dd who will be 5 soon. I am in a bit of a panic over this as I was convinced dh was going to insist she go to public school for K and so had not even thought about how I would do it until this week when he finally caved and agreed she should stay home.
I am desperately trying to educate myself on Montessori as I feel this is the approach she needs, at least in part. And I know nothing, really. I have been gathering a few things, but it is just a start.
Anyway-long way around of asking for you ladies with Montessori experience to help me out by looking at my set-up and giving me some input.
pictures are here:Kinderplanning
Belive me, I can use all the help I can get. I am desperate for advice.
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Theresa
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Rebecca
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 12:35am | IP Logged
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Theresa, I am not certain what kind of help you are looking for. Are you looking for more ideas for materials or just input on what you already have prepared?
Your shelves look well thought out and easily accessible to your daughter. I noticed that you have designated a shelf for each subject which will help you to keep it organized. I think it is easiet to keep things orderly when the language arts materials are together, the math materials are together, etc.
I had a couple of ideas for additional materials that are big hits with my kindergartner and preschooler.
We have several science "trays" that are not strictly Montessori but are definitely hands on. One tray contains fossils that we have collected, one has seashells, one rocks, etc. I use these for hands on science. Also, the kids enjoy keeping a nature tray where they display their "finds" such as a bird egg they discovered, an abandoned nest, a honeycomb, a cicada shell, etc. This tray is constantly changing with the seasons and the interests of the children. I keep a magnifying glass on each tray for observation. Nearby are the field guides where the kids can look up their treasures if they'd like. We also keep the sketchbooks/nature notebooks nearby in case anyone should want to draw what they have found.
For language arts, another fun thing to have around is a sand tray. If you have a very shallow box (like a deeper shoe box lid), you can place a small amount of colored sand in the bottom for your daughter to practice tracing her letters in. My son (6) uses this item more than any other. We got the sand at a craft store for about two dollars. The box is kept on the language arts shelf for the pre-K/kindergartners to access whenever they'd like. I also keep a small dustpan and broom nearby for the inevitable sand spill (which helps practical life as well--sweeping/use of broom and dustpan!)
I think there are some wonderful ideas on the Michael Olaf website. Their print catalog is worth ordering, not only to get ideas for materials, but moreso for the text within its covers. It contains a wealth of information as to how to prepare an environment of learning for a young child. I found it extremely helpful when beginning to learn about Montessori.
Some other books you might find helpful:
Teaching Montessori in the Home:The Preschool Years
Montessori Play and Learn
Montessori Read and Write
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Katie
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Theresa,
It looks beautiful! You have inspired me to rotate some things - a task I have been meaning to do but can never seem to get to.
Well done for just "doing it"!
I can't think of anything constructive to add at all; I think your little girl will be very happy.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 1:13am | IP Logged
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Hmm... lost my last post somewhere...anyway,
Thank you so much! I am so nervous because this Montessori stuff is all new to me. I really appreciate the input!
And I just happen to have some of that colored sand somewhere. Now I know what to do with it! 
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Theresa
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Kim F
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 7:51am | IP Logged
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Theresa I responded at your blog but thought of a few more things. I love the Hainstock bk mentioned. Also her school aged one. Natural Structure from CHC is also nice for philosophy and to show that the materials are not magic in themselves and many similar items serve the same purpose. NS's biggest help to me was the peaceful feeling I got reading it.(I wasn't as impressed with it's upper elementary section) This is the main thrust of Montessori education - quiet order and self control in children. It is less about planning and more about being sensitive to the child's progress and needs as they arise. That can be more challenging and less at the same time lol!
Real Learning and unit studies flow nicely with this. Montessori schools use a hands on approach to history and science also and real bks vs texts in general. There is a good deal of crossover so don't feel like you cobbled those together unnaturally. They go together!
Kim
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Genevieve
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 8:23am | IP Logged
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Theresa, I think you are off to a great start and there are some wonderful suggestions here and in your blog comments. I do want to add in preparing the materials I have three criteria
1) does it pertain to her current interest
2) is it something exciting for me to mention it to her as oppose to I think she should learn this stuff because it is part of curriculum guidelines
3) would she feel overwhelmed with the variety of materials I have laid out - a good gauge is whether she finds it hard to put things back especially if several trays are off the shelves.
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 9:48am | IP Logged
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Theresa-
Your setup looks great! I want to do something like this for my soon to be 4 yr old. My almost 6 yr old spent 6 mo at a Montessori preschool but I've never been organized/diligent enough to attempt it at home. I'm at the library now (and on vacation) but as soon as I get home I'll be studying your blog and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. Here's one-every time I look for Montessori materials online they are SOOO expensive-is the actual material what makes something Montessori or how it's used?
Jennifer
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 9:59am | IP Logged
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Great food for thought, ladies.
Kim, I am struck by what you said here:
"This is the main thrust of Montessori education - quiet order and self control in children. It is less about planning and more about being sensitive to the child's progress and needs as they arise. That can be more challenging and less at the same time lol! "
This seems to me to be very similar and so much of what I like about the unschooling approach: Observe your child closely and anticipate her needs. Present the ideas. Step back let her learn what she will when she is ready.
Genevieve, these guidelines are perfect! The third one is the one I am fretting a bit about right now because I just don't know how much will be just right, having not used this approach before. I am sure I will be tweaking as the year progresses and as dd becomes more familiar with the routines and more self-directed.
I think I will try to hit the library today to see what they have (can't buy any more books this month $$$  ) but I doubt they will have much. The library here is truly pathetic. So for now I rely on online sources, including all you ladies and your wonderful blogs!
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Theresa
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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Jennifer I wish I knew the answer to that one!
I am hoping it isn't just the materials because I don't have a single "official" Montessori thing! No way could I afford them!
All my stuff was bought at a discount at various stores or made myself.
I made a set of shakers today out of film cannisters filled with various things. Cost: free! A set of twelve leftover cannisters, a pair filled with each of the following: sand, lentils, three pony beads, dice, a small nail, and a marble. Put stickers on the bottom to label matching pairs (I used matching shapes to identify pairs) so child can self-correct.
I lined them up on a tray which was a red plastic lid to an old box I threw out, so the presentation is very nice. Couldn't be simpler and dd can't wait to use them!
I will post a photo on my blog as soon as dh comes home with the camera (he is camping with ds).
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Kim F
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Jennifer I can tell you with absolute confidence the materials are simply a means to an end. Nothing more and nothing less. If you can modify something you have at hand to accomplish the same goals all the better. The materials are designed with a few qualities in mind - durability (a bigger issue in schools) simplicity, self checking, beauty. So, when you make your own materials you can do so with an eye towards at least some of those.
The net is full of resources for making your own materials. In fact I would encourage you to make your own. Commericially available materials are exorbitantly expensive and rarely necessary for individual use. Once you read a bit you will see the purpose for the materials - fine motor, pre-reading/pre-math, sorting, quantities, etc. There are an infinite number of materials one could potentially use to hone those skills.
The most important facets of the method are the observation and order aspects. Also the self selection and self correction options. You want the child to be in the driver's seat and to be able to operate fairly independently so as to boost confidence in the learning process and to sort the information out in their heads. Many materials that are not Montessori specific, like file folder games, fit that bill perfectly.
Kim
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Genevieve
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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Theresa,
No need to fret over the last bit. It's really easy to find out if you have overwhelmed her with choices. She *will* literally refuse to put things back in its spot because "it's too much". Or worst, take a *lot* of trays off. Imagine this scenario, you have a lot of spice bottles in your space shelf (more like my scenario than yours  ) You are pulling things off the shelf looking for that one spice. Then when you finally find them, you have to put them all back again. There is a feeling of dread inside of you because there are so many. You however, have the self-discipline to do it. A child may not. In fact, I would even go on to say there comes a point where you have so many spice bottles, you don't even want to put it back yourself.
I've been making Montessori-type materials for quite a while. I'll slowly post them on my blog to help you think outside the box. Anything particular you want to see? Sensorial? Language? Math? CGS? Culture? My kid is young though 3 and a half so yours might be past his "sensitive period"
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lapazfarm
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Genevieve wrote:
I've been making Montessori-type materials for quite a while. I'll slowly post them on my blog to help you think outside the box. Anything particular you want to see? Sensorial? Language? Math? CGS? Culture? My kid is young though 3 and a half so yours might be past his "sensitive period" |
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I would love to see what you have made! And my dd is almost 5 but she is a bit delayed due to her rough start in life. When we adopted her at age 3 she did not even know how to speak. No one had bothered to teach her. We knew she was intelligent, however as she had made up her own gibberish language. Amazing what kids will do when left to their own devices, eh?
So, although she has caught up in many areas (namely, speech), she still has lots of gaps and catching up to do in some developmental areas that you would think she would be past at her age. I, myself, am asuuming nothing with this child and want to present her with as many opportunties as possible to fill in those gaps for herself. This is why Montessori appeals to me so much for this particular child. Only SHE knows for sure where these gaps truly are.
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Theresa
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Genevieve
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They are up! Some photos are blurry but you get the gist.
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lapazfarm
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Thank you, Genevieve! This is so helpful!
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Meredith
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lapazfarm wrote:
I made a set of shakers today out of film cannisters filled with various things. Cost: free! A set of twelve leftover cannisters, a pair filled with each of the following: sand, lentils, three pony beads, dice, a small nail, and a marble. Put stickers on the bottom to label matching pairs (I used matching shapes to identify pairs) so child can self-correct.
I lined them up on a tray which was a red plastic lid to an old box I threw out, so the presentation is very nice. Couldn't be simpler and dd can't wait to use them!
I will post a photo on my blog as soon as dh comes home with the camera (he is camping with ds). |
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I love this, what could I use if I don't have film cannisters, hmm???
Genevieve, your pictures are wonderful, you're so creative and resourceful, thanks so much for sharing the links too!!
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Kim F
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I love this, what could I use if I don't have film cannisters, hmm??? >>
Empty frozen juice containers! I used those, duct taped them shut and covered them with colored paper. Worked like a charm.
The film containers make very nice scent discrimination games too. I filled them with cotton dipped in Vicks, after shave, toothpaste, vanilla, etc. Place a clean cotton ball on the top so they can't ID by sight.
Kim
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lapazfarm
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Dawn, you can often get film cannisters for free at places that develop film.
I love the scent idea, too. Do the scents stick around awhile or do you have to refresh them often?
Tomorrow I am going to make an eye-spy game. I saw it somewhere but can't remember where.
Put about 6 or 8 small items (dice, barbie shoe, lego, etc) in a clear plastic soda bottle. Then fill the bottle with birdseed, cap it, and shake it up. Make a card with a picture checklist of all the items. Child rolls and shakes the bottle around looking for the items and checking them off until they are all found.
I think it sounds like fun and something dd would really enjoy.
You could change up the items every once in awhile with a new card, or you could just make several different ones with their own cards.
I am really starting to enjoy this! With no school all summer I needed an outlet for my creative energies!
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Theresa
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Genevieve
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Meredeth, thank you for your kind words. As for sound boxes, I used plastic easter eggs. [
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lapazfarm
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Plastic Easter eggs! Brilliant! I was just getting ready to throw out a whole bunch! Now I am thinking...I could use those for something!LOL!
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Theresa
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Genevieve
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I think Kim plays a match up game with those
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: help setting up
