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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 28 2007 at 2:03pm | IP Logged
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Is anyone trying to make their own using the directions on the Montessori Makers site? I bought the colored mats at Target this week to make them. Just haven't been brave enough yet to stat cutting 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 28 2007 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
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Melinda -
Would you link to the Montessori Makers website? I don't think I know about that one and want to take a look!
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Suzanne in ID
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Jordan
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I'd be interested in knowing this too. I'm sure I could think of another way to spend that $86.
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Jordan
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 28 2007 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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Here is the link to the original triangle post in the MM site. The directions are posted in the files section under sensorial. There are a lot of responses to this post that you can scroll through at the site.
I did find the mats at Target, but I'm looking at the directions and thinking: hmm... need to do this when I am alert (not 9pm  ). I think Hainstock in her preschool book also gives directions. I'll have to check in mine.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Donna Marie
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I am doing this...just picked up the stuff last night. I want to see if I can find a clear version of the mats so I can do the other sets(clear to replace the gray) I will let you know how it turns out...
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc
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Donna Marie from NJ
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Finding Elegant Simplicity
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Donna Marie
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I just did this...worked out great. I would place something under your straight-edge to help with slippage. My ds is playing with them now...(we are having family movie night and I am getting a lot of materials made...woo hoo!
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc 
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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
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Finding Elegant Simplicity
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lapazfarm
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Ack! No target here in Kodiak!
On the other hand, I just got done filleting 5 halibut and about a half dozen salmon that my 2 boys caught today, for about 50 pounds of meat! I don't think I am in the mood for any more slicing and dicing at the moment! 
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Theresa
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Eleanor
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If these are the sort of thin plastic cutting boards that can be curved easily, my little ones would probably have some trouble handling and matching up the triangles.
I've been trying to think of a material that's fairly thick, durable, and not too slippery, but still easy to cut. Balsa wood would be great, but I don't think it would be easy to find wide enough pieces. Of course, there's craft foam... but I just can't bring myself to cross over to the "dark side."  The best candidate seems to be some very thick cardboard -- almost as thick as Masonite -- that was used as a stiffener in packages of card stock that we bought from Michael's. A few more sheets of that, and we'd be set. Would it be absurd to go and buy more card stock, just to get the cardboard?
Okay, just did a little research... apparently this stuff is considered "chipboard." It can be bought at some scrapbooking suppliers (12" x 12" or smaller, some choice of colors, archival quality), or at Dick Blick (bigger sheets, plain brown only, not archival quality). This article also says that scrapbooking stores often have freebies that were left over from packaging, or you can just use the back cover of a spiral note pad.
"Montessori on a Limited Budget" has instructions for making the constructive triangles out of this sort of heavy cardboard. They recommend cutting the triangles, then painting them, then drawing the lines on them with a Sharpie-type marker. If done properly, this looks pretty good. Whether or not I can pull it off is another matter!  But at least the materials aren't much of an investment, for either the "chipboard" or the "plastic cutting mat" version.
P.S. Theresa, we're a family of hungry bears who are drooling over your fish tales! Around here, fresh, wild salmon is definitely in the same "luxury" category as authentic Montessori materials. I'd bet that if you cold-smoked it (or, better yet, made Indian candy), and sent some to Nienhuis, they'd gladly repay you with all the constructive triangles you'd need.
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Meredith
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| Posted: July 29 2007 at 9:44am | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
Ack! No target here in Kodiak!
On the other hand, I just got done filleting 5 halibut and about a half dozen salmon that my 2 boys caught today, for about 50 pounds of meat! I don't think I am in the mood for any more slicing and dicing at the moment! |
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Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at cutting out 182 black felt lowercase letters for the Pink Reading Series
Not to hyjack the thread ladies, there's also info at JMJ Publishing (aka Liveable Learning) regarding making the Constructive Triangles. Have Fun ladies!
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Meredith
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SuzanneG
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lapazfarm wrote:
Ack! No target here in Kodiak!
On the other hand, I just got done filleting 5 halibut and about a half dozen salmon that my 2 boys caught today, for about 50 pounds of meat! I don't think I am in the mood for any more slicing and dicing at the moment! |
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Theresa:
I just told me dad (avid fisherman from Minnesota) about your slicing and dicing escapade, and his response was:
"Now, THAT'S a gal I'd like to meet! She really knows how to spend a Saturday evening! Is she one of those goofy Catholic Homeschool Blogging Friends of yours?"
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 29 2007 at 9:49pm | IP Logged
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SuzanneG wrote:
lapazfarm wrote:
Ack! No target here in Kodiak!
On the other hand, I just got done filleting 5 halibut and about a half dozen salmon that my 2 boys caught today, for about 50 pounds of meat! I don't think I am in the mood for any more slicing and dicing at the moment! |
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Theresa:
I just told me dad (avid fisherman from Minnesota) about your slicing and dicing escapade, and his response was:
"Now, THAT'S a gal I'd like to meet! She really knows how to spend a Saturday evening! Is she one of those goofy Catholic Homeschool Blogging Friends of yours?" |
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Oh and I just spent about 2 hours vacuum sealing it all for the freezer. Hows that for a Sunday afternoon well spent!
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Theresa
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LaPaz Home Learning
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 30 2007 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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The JMJ instructions for the triangles are, IMO, MUCH easier to follow than the ones at the MM site I linked above.
From JMJ I printed out the first sheet, which gives a nice overview of all the boxes, plus I printed the black and white templates to use vs. measuring all the lines by hand with a ruler. Just trace and cut. Much easier! Thanks for posting the link, Meredith.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Meredith
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You are welcome. I was impressed at ALL the Geography materials she offers on her site, very detailed!! I can't wait to see all your hard work!! Do share if you can!
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Meredith
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SeaStar
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I do need to post some pictures. So far I have made the lower case sandpaper letters- those turned out really well; I was pleased. My little sandpaper globe is coming along nicely- I have done four of the continents. I am working on the triangle sets.... then I am going to work on my continent boxes some more and some basket activities. I'm still debating buying Karen's phonics set. Cutting out all those felt letters- how is that going?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Meredith
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SeaStar wrote:
| I do need to post some pictures. So far I have made the lower case sandpaper letters- those turned out really well; I was pleased. My little sandpaper globe is coming along nicely- I have done four of the continents. I am working on the triangle sets.... then I am going to work on my continent boxes some more and some basket activities. I'm still debating buying Karen's phonics set. Cutting out all those felt letters- how is that going? |
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That sounds great, and let's just say I let my hand recover over the weekend I am SO liking how they are turning out, they are beautiful and I can't emphasize enough how detailed and well thought out the whole program is, it's the BEST complete set I've seen yet, albeit labor intensive initially!
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Meredith
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Land O' Cotton
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I found the mats to use for gray triangles today at Fred's discount store. There is a set of 2 mats 12" X 15" in the package, and though they're not really gray, they are opaque and will work fine, I think. If you don't have a Fred's I've also seen these mats in a pkg. of 2 at Dollar General.
I think I'll have to get more of the colored mats to make the whole set after printing off the outlines.
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Vicki
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Jordan
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For those who are making the triangle sets, are you making boxes too or do you go without the boxes? I've not read about this presentation before so I don't know if the boxes are an important part of the activity.
I just placed my order at Montessori Outlet where I was planning to order the triangles but opted not to get them because of this thread.
Thanks 
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Jordan
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SeaStar
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At JMJ, there are directions for making the boxes at the very end of the instructions. You make them using cardstock- I plan to give it a go. I am really happy with the way my triangles are turning out, and they could not be easier to make. I can put the plastic sheets right over the template I printed and trace the lines. SO easy! The pieces are thick and sturdy- I think most toddlers would be able to manage them. Woo hoo- this is one Montessori project that is turning out well for me 
And I found opaque mats to use for the grey at the Dollar Tree... two nice mats for $1
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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lapazfarm
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What are you using to cut them?
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Theresa
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Land O' Cotton
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I am using scissors from the dollar store, and so far they've worked fine. I'm trying it out first on the opaque mats since I can get more of those very easily. I'm having trouble with the tracing of the shapes though, as I'm just going over it with an ink pen. I'm not brave enough to use a Sharpie for tracing!
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Vicki
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Constructive Triangles
