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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 11:58am | IP Logged
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I wasn't sure if I should post this here or under early childhood...
I am wondering what is the specific purpose of the montessori leaf cards (the ones with all the different leaf shapes and names...3 part cards). I think they are really neat and I printed them all and have them all set up; but, as I was looking over my Botany area I started to wonder if the purpose of them is to actually learn the names or if it is more of a visual exercise to notice differences and to find order? I notice there are many montessori type activities like this where the material is actually quite advanced (I didn't even learn many of these leaf types in college) and so that is why I'm wondering if maybe the intent is not so much in the memorization of names, but in the concentration and noticing of differences.
Thanks!
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Jackie
7 boys - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 years
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happymama
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 1:32pm | IP Logged
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I'm not an expert, but here's my 2cents:
Like all Montessori materials, there are progressive uses. With 3part cards, the young child matches the images first, and later on the words (even without knowing how to read them.) Older children do them in reverse and thus increase their vocabularies. (Memorizing things at an early age makes it easier to memorize things later on.) Botany & zoology materials, in particular, teach the child to carefully observe nature, and to categorize what they see. It's not that "leaf types" are important to know, but that the child learns to observe, categorize, concentrate, appreciate diversity in creation, and memorize.
I love Montessori. :)
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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That's what I was thinking. I guess at first I just saw the cards as a memorization exercise, but now I see there is so much more. I guess it was one of those ahha moments. Montessori is so wonderful. There is so much more than what it first appears to be. I know my dh looked at me rather oddly when I was playing with all the beads. Then I explained to him just how much is learned through their use. Just awesome.
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Jackie
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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In our training, we had to make our own leaf cards using actual leaves in the area... very tedious of course and not pertinent if you move! But then they also encouraged that we also have printed leaf cards from other areas and to have these sets in separate pouches so children learn about trees all around the world.
Initially, it is all about their experience- so at first only use those cards you have in your area - as your child gets the hang of knowing those names and identifying them, then add in the other ones. Eventually, the child indeed memorizes all the names, then you can move to a matching activity where they begin to read the words and check with the control card....
Really, at this age, they love to learn all of these tidbits and facts, and as long as it's not forced, what seems tedious to us is a joy to them!
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
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I think I may have the kids look up the definitions too like reniform means kidney shaped. I think this will help. I actually got this idea from an old animal classification unit Theresa at LaPaz did. Her son looked up the prefixes for the phyla, etc to help learn what they meant.
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Jackie
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 8:46pm | IP Logged
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Oh! You are referring to the names of the shape-types, not to specific leaves! Sorry - my response above probably made no sense!
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: purpose of leaf cards
