4Real Forums: ABC manipulative for preschoolers

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Language Arts Come Alive
4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive

Topic: ABC manipulative for preschoolers

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Willa
Forum All-Star

Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881

Posted: March 28 2005 at 9:45am \| IP Logged

I'd like to get my 2 preschoolers some kind of alphabet manipulative, preferably in lower case. Does anyone have a suggestion? Is there a source for lower-case, non-stylized magnetic letters? Would some kind of puzzle be better? It would be good if it were sturdy and relatively large because my two year old and special needs five year old are pretty hard on things.

__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read

Elizabeth
Founder
Founder

Real Learning

Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595

Posted: March 28 2005 at 10:29am \| IP Logged

Willa,
If you could get your hands on a Neinhaus Montessori moveable alphabet, it would be well worth the time it took to find one. The trick is to find a certified Montessori school. The standards for certification of materials are so high that "gently used" materials are often replaced well before they've had a full life. I got my alaphabet when a good Montessori school in my area was cleaning out at the end of the school year and making room for the new materials. It was completely free and so were the other materials the directress threw in"

__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)

Victoria in AZ
Forum All-Star

Joined: Feb 16 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 672

Posted: March 28 2005 at 3:04pm \| IP Logged

Another Montessori idea is to make your own sandpaper letters. I used the templates in the book _Teaching Montessori In The Home_ by Elizabeth Hainstock. This idea is a worthwhile and affordable option, but is a bit labor intensive.

__________________
Your sister in Christ,
Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug

Search for other posts by Victoria in AZ

almamater
Forum Pro

Joined: March 09 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 136

Posted: March 29 2005 at 8:12am \| IP Logged

I got my moveable alphabet from Montessori-n-Such. Relative to Montessori, it was pretty inexpensive. HOWEVER, the company is not the greatest to work with. You will want to find out if they have the items you wish to order *in stock* before you go through with it. They also sell sandpaper letters. It also seems to me that Michael Olaf at one time sold lower case magnetic alphabet, if that is what you specifically wanted.

~jennifer in austin

__________________
~jennifer in tx
mommy of ds(11),dd(8),dd(6), dd(3),& ds (6/08)
Soul of the Home
Soulful Learning

Willa
Forum All-Star

Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881

Posted: April 01 2005 at 12:35pm \| IP Logged

Thank you all for the ideas! I'll look around for used or discount Montessori!

__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read

ami*
Forum Pro

Joined: March 29 2005
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 138

Posted: April 07 2005 at 8:14am \| IP Logged

I bought some alphabet tiles (lower case) from the Dollar Tree for $1/pack.

I bought some Alpha Magnets from www.rainbowresource.com for around $10. You can get uppercase, lowercase, jumbo, etc. The Alpha Magnets are color coded (like Montessori materials). The letter style is very plain.

I also made some sandpaper letters and a moveable alphabet by using patterns here-- http://www.montessorimaterials.org/lang.htm. :)

We like manipulatives at this house! ;)

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com