| Author | |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: May 07 2007 at 7:55pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed trying to make my own materials. I joined the Montessori Makers group and see lots of neat things in the files that I could print and use at home... but then, ahem, I'm not sure exactly how to use some of these materials. Example: birds of North America. I see beautiful cards to print, but how exactly do we use them?
I'm looking for a good general book or guide on how to use these materials. My library doesn't have much to offer past basic preschool. I just feel kind of "lost" (also somewhat confused). Just looking for some help!
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 07 2007 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Melinda, I'm so glad you asked this question, as I'm sure there are many others (myself included) who are looking for ideas and plans for how to use the materials.
I'm directing you to one of my favorite Montessori blogs: Kim at Starry Sky Ranch has tons of wonderful resources on her site. Everything from reading, links and items to purchase or download. Also, if you click on her Schoolhouse on the Ranch index, you'll get LOTS of Montessori ideas!
Enjoy and HTH a bit. Looking forward to others suggestions as well!
Blessings!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Celeste
Forum Pro
Joined: April 03 2006
Location: Nebraska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 263
|
| Posted: May 07 2007 at 8:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
David Gettman's Basic Montessori provides good step-by-step for many 3-6 presentations in all areas (practical life, math, language, sensorial, etc.).
Elizabeth Hainstock's (Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Preschool Years (age 3-6) and The School Years (age 6-9) also have great presentations and ideas for making materials. (Not as many presentations as Gettman, but some pictures, and the second book goes beyond preschool.)
Those are some of the books people in the MontessoriMakers group start with.
Montessori Read and Write and Montessori Play and Learn, both by Lesley Britton, have useful and nicely-explained activities.
Get a Nienhuis catalog, if you haven't already. Seeing the actual materials is so helpful in making them and using them!
It's also a good idea to absorb as much of Montessori's philosophy as you can, since that's even more important than the actual materials. One of my Catechesis trainers (who runs a Montessori school) described a woman who had a perfect Montessori environment with almost no materials other than a guitar. . . . (Since Montessori herself is sometimes not the best place to start, I'd be happy to recommend even more books. . . . 
Celeste
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 8:35am | IP Logged
|
|
|
All the resources recommended by Meredith and Celeste are excellent, I just thought I'd throw in a few websites: Montessori World and Shu-Chen Jenny Yen
These are montessori albums, which give instructions on how to give presentations. When I started doing montessori I would print the presentation as I was making the material, then store them in binders by subject.
Recently I have been taking Karen Tyler's online course where she gives you all her albums, subject by subject, little by little. This systematic approach has really been helpful for me in finally feeling like I get this montessori thing. I had the tendency to make more materials than I knew what to do with when I was first getting started. Her website is here
I agree to focus more on the philosophy than in recreating a montessori classroom with ALL the materials.
I found Montessori's The Discovery of the Child to be the most helpful for understanding her educational philosophy- but I haven't read all her books. That might have just been the one I read at the right time to make things "click".
-Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 9:38am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I second the online albums for actual, practical helpfulness. In fact, those and other online sources have been my sole means of info to this point! I have not read any of the books, but feeling like this summer might be a good time to dig deeper into the philosophy part.
Also do a flickr search for photos of montessori work and Youtube for videos. I've found some neat stuff that way.
And Kim's website is the very best for links to Montessori stuff.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 11:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
AndreaG wrote:
Recently I have been taking Karen Tyler's online course where she gives you all her albums, subject by subject, little by little. This systematic approach has really been helpful for me in finally feeling like I get this montessori thing. I had the tendency to make more materials than I knew what to do with when I was first getting started. Her website is here
I agree to focus more on the philosophy than in recreating a montessori classroom with ALL the materials. |
|
|
Thank you Andrea and Theresa for more links and ideas!! I am interested in the online classes so I appreciate being able to see what is offered.
Another thing I wanted to mention is that sometimes if' you're *stuck* on what to do with some of the materials and you're not finding what you wanted, just try and Google search it and usually something suitable comes up!!
Great ideas everyone, thanks so much!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 7:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have read a few books on the Montessori method, which got me all gung-ho about using it, but then I really stumbled on how to make and use the materials.
I did read David Gettman's book, and I tried to follow some of his directions for creating materials, but, honestly, one set of his directions had me in tears (creating shapes and matching them to outlines). His directions about cards with thin lines and wavy lines and making duplicate sets of everything- I just could not make sense of what he was trying to say. I have never felt so retarded- I just could not picture what he was explaining (how hard can it be to match up cards to shapes, anyway?).
So that was the beginning of feeling overwhelmed by it all. I will look into the other resources- thanks for all the great links.
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 8:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I found another good website tonight with lots of printables- easy to understand, too.
check here
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 8:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oooh!! Another great site! Wow! Thank you Melinda!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Celeste
Forum Pro
Joined: April 03 2006
Location: Nebraska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 263
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 8:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
| So that was the beginning of feeling overwhelmed by it all. |
|
|
Oh, Melinda, I felt exactly the same way the first time I went through Gettman! I'm wondering if this is a common experience: I would read one thing, get excited, try to implement, get confused, read something else, "get" it, do something, get confused. . . . It's like you have to read a little here and there and make a little and reread a little and present a little, then find new resources and explore those, go back to the first ones and understand them better. . . . Rather a muddled way of explaining my muddling through Montessori, but again, I ask: Has this been anyone else's experience? Is it the nature of Montessori to have to learn through a "spiral" method? or is it the nature of learning Montessori while parenting?
Celeste
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: May 08 2007 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Fantastic site, Melinda!Wow!
It never fails to amaze me how generous those using Montessori methods can be with the materials they create.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 10 2007 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I too felt overwhelmed by montessori- for - I don't know- probably about the first 3 years of attempting it. I think it was like drinking from a fire hose, just to much information and too many materials and presentations, many of which are all inter-connected. And the once I felt I had a good grasp on how montessori worked in a building school, I had to decide how I was going to implement it in my homeschool! I don't know if it HAS to be this way, but it certainly was for me. I feel like taking Karen Tyler's course ( I know I keep plugging her)finally forced me to read through all the presentations subject by subject and get a good sytematic picture. I probably could have done this with Gettman's book or the online albums, but I just kept jumping around- I needed more structure! It also helped me to schedule the presentations into Homeschool Tracker, so that each week I have something to present. This also gives me motivation to get the materials out of the closet and onto the shelves. I know that scheduling presentations like that is not strictly montessori, and I definitely do not follow it to the letter, but it gives me a framework,and keeps me from feeling so overwhelmed with the sheer number of presentations available. Wow, sorry to write a book, I think I got off topic!
-Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: May 10 2007 at 10:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Andrea, I think it would be immensely helpful for me to do something like that. I keep jumping around all over the place, inspired but overwhelmed by all the different materials and presentations, methods and philosophy. It is a lot to take in. I could sure use some guidance getting it all into some cohesive whole, rather than the scattered bits and pieces it is here now.
I think I might look into that course.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Louise
Forum Pro
Joined: March 29 2005
Location: North Carolina
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 11 2007 at 6:56am | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
I found another good website tonight with lots of printables- easy to understand, too.
check here |
|
|
What a wonderful site! 
But I couldn’t download the "Language Arts materials book"? I received an error message. Did anyone else try it? I didn't have any trouble opening the other files.
Edit: I emailed her and she helped me save it. 
__________________
Louise, mom of 11
http://timetokeep.blogspot.com/
http://ecolebuissonniere.blogspirit.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 11 2007 at 8:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
lapazfarm wrote:
| Andrea, I think it would be immensely helpful for me to do something like that. I keep jumping around all over the place, inspired but overwhelmed by all the different materials and presentations, methods and philosophy. It is a lot to take in. |
|
|
And I keep trying to keep up with you!! 
lapazfarm wrote:
I could sure use some guidance getting it all into some cohesive whole, rather than the scattered bits and pieces it is here now.
I think I might look into that course. |
|
|
I actaully emailed the instructor at the site a couple of days ago as I am extremely interested in her classes!! I thought her site was excellent and like you mentioned above, I am just amazed and thrilled how many individuals are wanting to share their infor mation for no cost!! I do know her classes have a fee, but in my mind, a very small amount for the number of classes. I am awaiting her reply!!
Hang in there ladies, and let's keep chatting about what's working for all of us, I know it is immenselyhelpful to me when others share their experiences 
I have been making a few more things and hope to post them up at my blog by the weekend...Blessings to all of you!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 11 2007 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Here's a few things I've completed recently and that have been working rally well for my kiddos!! Enjoy!
Montessori Make-Your-Own
Blessings!!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryMary
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 04 2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 535
|
| Posted: May 11 2007 at 5:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow!!! Thanks for the link to Karen's website Andrea! This is EXACTLY what I need as well. A few years ago I purchased a good deal of Montessori equipment from a Montessori that was closing down. I was (am) so blessed to have purchased it all for a fraction of the price that it would have cost brand new. The problem is, most of it sat in a closet (a decision I made after my girls started swinging the blue and red rods at each other!) I tried so hard this year to really implement more Montessori..I have all of the books recommended above, but I can't find the time to read as much as I'd like! I have yearned for formal mont. training, but it is all so cost prohibitive...I think this online course is really the answer I was looking for! Thanks again!
__________________
Mary
Wife 2 1
Mum 2 four blessings on earth and two in heaven!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: May 11 2007 at 6:47pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
AndreaG wrote:
All the resources recommended by Meredith and Celeste are excellent, I just thought I'd throw in a few websites: Montessori World and Shu-Chen Jenny Yen
These are montessori albums, which give instructions on how to give presentations. When I started doing montessori I would print the presentation as I was making the material, then store them in binders by subject.
Recently I have been taking Karen Tyler's online course where she gives you all her albums, subject by subject, little by little. This systematic approach has really been helpful for me in finally feeling like I get this montessori thing. I had the tendency to make more materials than I knew what to do with when I was first getting started. Her website is here
I agree to focus more on the philosophy than in recreating a montessori classroom with ALL the materials.
I found Montessori's The Discovery of the Child to be the most helpful for understanding her educational philosophy- but I haven't read all her books. That might have just been the one I read at the right time to make things "click".
-Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus |
|
|
Andrea- are you doing the teacher training or the mini-workshops?
I have looked at both and am unsure what to try first- I'm leaning toward trying a miniworkshop. Still, the teacher training looks very helpful at a pretty reasonable cost, and the next session starts June 1st.
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 13 2007 at 9:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Melinda,
I am taking the teacher training. I don't have any experience with the mini-workshops. If anyone has any questions about the training course I will be happy to answer!
-Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: May 14 2007 at 8:30am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow, Andrea, that's great! I'll start another thread as I think others may take it too (me included) and we can discuss and share ideas there too!!
Is it the class that's beginning on June 1?? This is the one I was thinking of as well. Anyone else??
Blessings!
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: What is your favorite Montessori book?
