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      | Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          What are you all doing for Geography Puzzles??  I'm thinking of asking for the set at  Kid Advance from the dear grandparents
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:19pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Also, if you use the landforms cards, did you buy thm ormake your own??  I kind of like the idea of wood for these as opposed to laminated, but perhaps I'm getting a bit too Montessori snobbish here
   
 Let me know what your kiddos like to work with, thanks so much!
 
 __________________
 Meredith
 Mom of 4 Sweeties
 Sweetness and Light
 
 
 
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| CatholicMommy Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          We do not have the landform cards yet, but my son and our daycare children love my cardboard version of the continent puzzles. We do have the world map and particular children at different times just can't seem to get enough of it. My son and another 3 year old I only have a few hours a week already want to know the names of the continents. We had a cardboard version of that previously as well and it was 'liked' - I think we will all be excited to have the wood puzzles of the continents as well. The children do recognize them on the globe and on a flat world map and I think even the 3 year olds are coming to understand what it is they are looking at (we work with maps a LOT around here, including maps of the house, the yard, specific room, diagrams of areas of the room).
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:25pm | IP Logged |   |  
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| Mackfam Board Moderator
 
  
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          Meredith -
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:42pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 |  We found an awesome set of geography puzzles from Costco!!!  The whole set!!!  But, they're not wooden
  Oh well, they work for now - and my kids like them very much. 
 __________________
 Jen Mackintosh
 Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19
  , ds 16  , ds 11  , dd 8  , and dd 3   Wildflowers and Marbles
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| lapazfarm Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          I am getting the one from Allisons, which is more expensive, I see.
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:44pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 |    I like that this cabinet holds up to twelve maps, so I can add to the set if I like. In fact, I already did, as I also got the puzzle map of the oceans.
 
 I made my own set of landform cards, laminated, and they work very well. Ds (11) worked with them quite a bit and really enjoyed them. Meredith I know what you mean about wanting the wood quality, but for this material I really don't see the benefit of wood. In fact, in this case I see a benefit for the cards. I'll explain: I made two sets. One set has the traditional blue/brown forms, the other has beautiful photos of the actual land and water forms. So I have the real pictures that we can compare with the more abstract blue/brown cards and this really cemented the learning for ds. You can't get that with wood.
 
 On another note, I am determined that despite all my lavish spending, I will make as many of the card-type items as I can. It is something simple and cheap I can do to save money, and I enjoy the process. I will save my money for the items that just don't make sense to make. Besides, I need to make that laminator pay for itself!
 Does that make sense?
 
 __________________
 Theresa
 us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
 LaPaz  Home Learning
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| SuzanneG Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          Wanted to post the link from Timberdoodle here (from another thread)  from Genevieve.
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:47pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Suzanne in ID
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| SuzanneG Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          What is the thought behind NOT having the country labeled, such as at Kid Advance and  Alison's?
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 4:56pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Suzanne in ID
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| lapazfarm Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          I believe it is to focus on the shape and location. Later they will work with placing name labels on the maps.
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 5:13pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Theresa
 us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
 LaPaz  Home Learning
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 5:17pm | IP Logged |   |  
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  | lapazfarm wrote: 
 
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            | I am getting the one from Allisons, which is more expensive, I see.   I like that this cabinet holds up to twelve maps, so I can add to the set if I like. In fact, I already did, as I also got the puzzle map of the oceans.
 
 I made my own set of landform cards, laminated, and they work very well. Ds (11) worked with them quite a bit and really enjoyed them. Meredith I know what you mean about wanting the wood quality, but for this material I really don't see the benefit of wood. In fact, in this case I see a benefit for the cards. I'll explain: I made two sets. One set has the traditional blue/brown forms, the other has beautiful photos of the actual land and water forms. So I have the real pictures that we can compare with the more abstract blue/brown cards and this really cemented the learning for ds. You can't get that with wood.
 
 On another note, I am determined that despite all my lavish spending, I will make as many of the card-type items as I can. It is something simple and cheap I can do to save money, and I enjoy the process. I will save my money for the items that just don't make sense to make. Besides, I need to make that laminator pay for itself!
 Does that make sense?
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 YES, that makes total sense and that's why I asked.  I've already printed my forms cards, just wanted to be sure.  Now I'll have to go back and check out the Alison's cabinet as I am interested in being able to add to it as well!!
 
 My printer and laminator have been smoking ALL day by the way
   
 __________________
 Meredith
 Mom of 4 Sweeties
 Sweetness and Light
 
 
 
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| Donna Marie Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          We have used the Timberdoodle puzzles and it was great to have for the hands-on work, but it really does not hold up very well as it is a thinner cardboard.
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 5:28pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 We have also used the computer for learning just like the geography puzzles..no mess
  ...like the free Owl and Mouse downloads.  I keep it on my desktop so it is easy for the kids to click and use. I like the older children to read the place name to the younger ones as they put the pieces in place with the mouse. 
 I have always wanted to have the puzzles, but it was never anything that I could afford.  I make other things though...even using some map masters I have for the kids to punch out with the larger bulletin board tacks over thick felt pads.  They then make a booklet out of it or some such thing.
 
 We made our own landform cards from a free download from MM Share (do you know of it?)  I have also made some 1/4 sheet cards from blue and brown construction paper that the kids put together in a booklet.  The kids loved when a landform had a "matching" waterform and they used what was left of one color with what was left from another...they got a big kick out of it...like lake and island...  ooh good!  I found a picture of what I was talking about here
 
 I learn and the kids learn sooo much more when we make things...even if they aren't perfect.  The smiles of satisfaction are worth it!
 
 HTH!
 God love you,
 Donna Marie from NJ
 hs momma to 7dc
   
 __________________
 God love you!
 Donna Marie from NJ
 hs momma to 9dc!!
 Finding Elegant Simplicity
 
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          Just looking at Alison's Geography Stuff  and they're offering 10% off this month!!  Woohoo!!
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 5:37pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Theresa, are you getting those nifty globes that sit so nicely on top of the cabinet as well??
 
 
 __________________
 Meredith
 Mom of 4 Sweeties
 Sweetness and Light
 
 
 
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| lapazfarm Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          Meredith, I am getting just one globe, the one with the colored continents.
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 6:28pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Hmmm. If I had waited one day I would have gotten 10% off. Figures.
 And I need more laminating pouches or mine would be smoking as well!LOL!
 
 Donna Marie, we really like the owl and mouse games, too. They are great!
 I like your idea of the tack and felt for punch-outs.Makes a lot of sense.
 
 __________________
 Theresa
 us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
 LaPaz  Home Learning
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           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 6:57pm | IP Logged |   |  
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  | lapazfarm wrote: 
 
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            | Hmmm. If I had waited one day I would have gotten 10% off. Figures.
 
 
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 Theresa, Maybe you can send them an email and request it...it wouldn't hurt.  I think I know of the woman who started this company.  I think she is a member of playschool6
 
 God love you,
 Donna Marie from NJ
 hs momma to 7dc
   
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 God love you!
 Donna Marie from NJ
 hs momma to 9dc!!
 Finding Elegant Simplicity
 
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          I would call and ask too!!  In fact see if they want to give us all a really nifty 4real Home Educators MOntessori Discount!!
           | Posted: June 01 2007 at 7:04pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Meredith
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          Here is a really nice homemade idea for Country Maps with Pins.  Lisia's Album
           | Posted: June 02 2007 at 10:40am | IP Logged |   |  
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 Theresa, would a smaller version of this work to fit inside your "Geography Boxes" from our thread here?  I really like the simplicity of it!!
 
 Also, if you are starting out with only a few of the Geography/Country Puzzles, which would you start with besides the Continent/World one??
 
 __________________
 Meredith
 Mom of 4 Sweeties
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| lapazfarm Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          Hmmm...I think that might work! I could cut a cork square into quarters...thinking some more...
           | Posted: June 02 2007 at 11:55am | IP Logged |   |  
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 |  As far as which maps to use first, from the  MTC albums the child starts with his own continent first. This makes sense to me, going from the familiar outward.
 MTC culture 3-6
 
 __________________
 Theresa
 us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
 LaPaz  Home Learning
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          Wow- the Owl and Mouse puzzle site is so cool! I have been sitting here doing puzzles while Tropical Storm Barry blows through;
           | Posted: June 02 2007 at 6:45pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
 
 
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| SuzanneG Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          Theresa:
           | Posted: June 04 2007 at 12:02pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 |  Would you link the cabinet that you got from Alison's....I can't find a puzzle cabinet that holds 12 maps.
 
 ETA: Nevermind, Here  it is.
 
 __________________
 Suzanne in ID
 Wife to Pete
 Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          Glad you found it, I'm going to get this one instead of the Kid Advance one as I really like the style and size and the fact that is holds twelve
           | Posted: June 04 2007 at 12:37pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Meredith
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| SuzanneG Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          So, are you getting the puzzles from Alison's too?  They have clearance puzzles and then the regularily priced ones.  I emailed asking the difference....but I think it's probably b/c the regul-priced ones were "updated" in 2006.   Anyone know?
           | Posted: June 04 2007 at 12:50pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 ETA: I just called them.  What a concept....the telephone!
 
 
 Here is the map cabinet WITH 8 puzzles.
 
 The clearance puzzles are actually NOT all wood.  They have a wood base with compound cardboard pieces.  The new ones are all wood.  Also, the new one come with the control charts, old ones do not.  They are discontinuing them because they feel strongly about the pieces being wooden.
 
 __________________
 Suzanne in ID
 Wife to Pete
 Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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| Meredith Forum All-Star
 
  
  
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          I am going to get the cabinet and for sure the World and North America *new* all wooden maps to start, Oh and the Oceans one too.  I do see they have the cabinet set with 8 puzzles included for $400 right now and with a 10% discount that's pretty tempting, but are they the wood ones, or the older ones??  I'm pretty partial to the wood, so I'd rather have less with more quality for my crew
           | Posted: June 04 2007 at 1:17pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 |   Just a personal preference. 
 __________________
 Meredith
 Mom of 4 Sweeties
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