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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 8:58pm | IP Logged
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OK- Should I go for the Montessori 20 Piece suitcase?All I already have is a Pink Tower (full size), but that's it as far as compared to what is in the suitcase.
It runs about $15 per item in the suitcase, and it's all scaled down to half size. Some things- like the spindle box, the numbers with counter, the mystery bag, the constructive triangles- I probably would not purchase, since I have similar things or could make them. OTOH, $15 for a set of knobbed cylinders ( even with five cylinders per block instead of ten) seems like a steal.
Overall, it still seems like a good deal, but I am somehow afraid to commit to the suitcase. Would it be better to buy a few things now (full size) and wait and see how we do and add other things in later? Or will I be saying: I wish I had the suitcase?
I wish I knew someone who has the suitcase, to see how they like it.
Ack- I;m driving myself, and dh, crazy 
oh- and shipping from Alison's would run around $80 for that item- HELP!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
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Oh Melinda, I feel for you!!
If it were ME (and this is a big IF) With the ages of your dc being so young, I would take that $300 and buy some of the regular sized items that will span MANY years of Montessori learning and discovery.
Believe it or not, you'll be surprised at what you will be able to buy based on the immediate needs of your dc. With Montessori and Real Learning, it's about the quality of time you spend doing the presentations with the specific materials. You will have LOTS of time to add to your collection and get into your teaching groove to see what you will need down the road.
This probably wasn't the answer you want, but I'm giving you my .02, which may not mean much, but HTH anyhow! 
Many blessings in your discernment 
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
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Kristin
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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I agree with Meredith. Going with the suitcase is more limiting and investing in a few more materials to add to the pink tower you already have would be a great start that you could build on! 
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y  , Rose 8y  , Dominic 2.5 y  , Oliver 16m 
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 6:26am | IP Logged
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Thank you both! That is just what I was thinking- maybe just add a few full sized things now and see where that takes me. The suitcase has many neat things- but I'm not sure if I need the binomial cube and the fraction skittles right away. We are just getting started here with buying materials, although we've had lots of homemade stuff and done a lot of practical living activities.
So I have the pink tower... what would you add for a two and four year old?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 6:56am | IP Logged
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Ooh - I'm going to jump in here Melinda if that's ok - I missed your posts last night.
Most of these we have (and I can vouch for them, but others are on my list of things to still order or wish for:)
The Cylinder Blocks
The Brown Stairs
The Red Rods
The color box or The color resemblance sorting task
The sandpaper/felt letters and numbers
The moveable alphabet
The language objects
The metal insets and stand
The geometry solids
The geometry cabinet
Some botany and animal puzzles
I might even start on the US puzzle with your 4yo
I can't help it, I love the spindle box
I might be missing some. Also, don't feel like everything on my list is a must have. As with everything else, you must decide what is best for your children. That may be very different from my list.
I didn't include any golden beads. I'm not sure you'd want to start there with a 2 and 4 yo. Next year you probably will when your 4yo is 5, and that gives you a year to look into it. Since around 4 my kids are usually starting to learn how to read (their idea - not mine - I don't want to imply that you have to start reading at 4!)I usually focus on that a good bit. The wonderful thing about Montessori is that your "lap time" can be spent doing a phonics lesson, and reading together, and then "choice time" can be spent with a math, geometry, botany, language, sensorial item. They choose. It's a great way to work in that real learning to me. Just my 2cents.
From what I've seen with my kids, and from hearing from others over and over - the drop dead must haves are I believe-
The Pink Tower (which you already have)
The Brown Stairs
The Red Rods
The Cylinders
I know others will chime in here and add to the list in those areas I missed. Have fun shopping!
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Jen Mackintosh
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AndreaG
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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I agree with the advice you have gotten, go for the big size, and Jennifer came up with a great list of suggestions. Her "must haves" would be a good place to start, unless your child has a specific interest (like an interest in learning to count to 100 you could get the 100 chain or in learning to read you could go for the movabkle alphabet for example).
I know exactly how you feel trying to make this decision- I feel that way too totally obsessing over whether to purchase this or that. I find it helpful when I feel really intensely about it to NOT order anything until I have had a chance to settle down about the whole thing. Then it is usually evident what I should order.
Personally, I like the full size materials better!
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Andrea
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 8:34am | IP Logged
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Oh Melinda - I just thought of this. I bet you've seen this already, but as my brain cells are failing me more and more, I thought maybe I'd stick it up here just in case your brain cells are on vacation too....(mine have checked out permanently  )
Lori's post on her essentials for a 3-6 classroom
I think her post is probably much more helpful than anything I could have said, and I notice she does suggest golden beads. Anyway, thought I'd put it up here for you to take a look at - could help you narrow down.
Oh, one more thing - I'm with Andrea - I NEVER order unless I'm fairly certain on something. If you're feeling confusion or uncertainty, slow down and pray about it. God is not a god of confusion, and it is His children we are trying to educate. He will illuminate your mind regarding these choices. This is a perfect topic for prayer! Ask for wisdom and simplicity, and seek His will through your dh if you find you are getting too emotionally attached to a decision. I hope this helps in some small way - I know that whatever you decide it will be perfect for your precious family!
I'm still discerning my lists - thought I could order all at once, but then I started waffling. I ordered my "for sures" first, and now I am praying about and tying up loose ends. I'm grateful for the wisdom to take some extra time, because some things I thought were important have faded, while others have become very important. Still praying and discerning like you...
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Jen Mackintosh
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 9:32am | IP Logged
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Jennifer, great advice and my sentiments exactly! There's never a good reason to jump into something without furher exploration (even though I've been known to do it on many occaisions )
I was also reviewing Lori's List (see link above) and I have to second her ideas and add to for:
Practical Life-Cleaning Equipment; child-sized brooms, mops, buckets, sponges, window washing set up! (These have been invaluable in our household)
Sensorial-adding to the above, any of the Mystery Bag ideas, Feel and Find, etc. We have a nice little set of tactile dominoes that I've had for years and we use these for mystery bag and touch activities.
Math-For sure Counters & Number Cards, and if you want to start with beads; I would start with the basic Decimal Tray (golden beads)
Language-Moveable Alphabet
Geography/Cultural-Sandpaper Globe (very cool) and I LOVE the idea of making the land and water forms in a bowl or flat dish (tupperware?) with the modeling clay and blue colored water  This will be an integral part of our Geography work!
Art Supplies and Musical Instruments for exploration
Sorry to add more to your lists, just more food for thought 
Blessings!
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 1:26pm | IP Logged
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All your advice has been invaluable.
I decided to let go of the suitcase idea, and I feel very at peace about it, so I know that is the right decision.
So far I have the red rods (homemade, but you can't go wrong with straight rods), the pink tower. a map set and the moveable alphabet.
I am thinking of adding:
brown stair
cylinders
numbers with counters
table top rods with numbers (I don't know why- they just really appeal to me)
botany cabinet (I know we will use this a lot)
language trays with metal insets (ditto)
still debating:
spindle box
geo solids
color boxes
I wish I could find just one place to order from, but I think I will have to split it up into two orders to get all I want at the best price. Kid Advance has everything at a good price, but I don't like the yellow and blue insets (just personal preference).
I have Lori's comprehensive album- just got it yesterday. I hope it will shed some light on the math dilemma. I still feel nervous about the beads- I just don't understand them all too well.
I plan to make cards, a globe and lots of baskets (sewing, bird watching, etc) and trays.
This all should keep me busy for awhile!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 4:26pm | IP Logged
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Yeah Melinda!! I'm so glad we could all be of help for you!! Let us know how you like everything when it arrives!
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Need help deciding!
