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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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Quite possibly this is the dumbest question I've ever posted- but I'n curious to see what others do. When you put materials out on your shelves, do you leave the box lids on? So many of my Montessori materials came in beautiful boxes with lids, but I feel like leaving the lids on makes them sort of "Invisible". The kids don't know what is inside. If I take the lids off, then I have a bunch of lids hanging around that have to be stored.
Some items- like the numbers and counters, I want to leave in the box so the pieces don't get scattered.
Anyway- thoughts? Rolling eyes? 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 12:31pm | IP Logged
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Good question.I've been pondering this myself.
I am probably going to leave the lids on a few things to keep the dust out. Perhaps I will take the lids off in the morning, put them underneath or behind the box, and then replace them in the afternoon. This will make them more visible during "school hours".
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Theresa
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LaPaz Home Learning
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 12:33pm | IP Logged
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Oh, and another thought.
I am going to leave the lids on the items that I have set out but have not presented yet, just as a visual cue to dd that she needs to ask for a presentation before using them.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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montessori_lori
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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No, I take the wooden box lids off - and flip them over and use them as trays. Perfect for all sorts of things - the bottom photo in this post shows them used for setting out math & equations and answers:
Tips & Tricks for the Montessori Classroom
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:10pm | IP Logged
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You could always take a photo of the items and put the picture on the boxes...
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~Rachel~
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Meredith
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:12pm | IP Logged
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I like to have them off during use, but on when not in use  Many of my lids do not suffice as a "holder" for anything. But I LOVE the idea of this. Maybe some of the wooden boxes from Michael's will work for this! Like for my sand writing tray the lid is 12 x 12 inches and could be used as a tray almost in itself. Was thinking of using it for my Geometric Presentation Tray...
Definately NOT a dumb questions Melinda, thanks for asking it!! 
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Meredith
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:23pm | IP Logged
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montessori_lori wrote:
No, I take the wooden box lids off - and flip them over and use them as trays. Perfect for all sorts of things - the bottom photo in this post shows them used for setting out math & equations and answers:
Tips & Tricks for the Montessori Classroom |
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But that same picture shows colored lids on all of the other materials.
I have to admit, I do like the neat and tidy look of lids on. But I can see how it would make the materials less visible to a child.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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montessori_lori
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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The lids that are on - in the pic - are the flat ones that couldn't serve as a tray. Any lid that has a "lip" gets used as a tray!
A little more about lids: if the lid is colored or labeled to indicate the work inside, then I do keep it on. For instance, some work might be hidden on purpose in a beautiful container to heighten interest.
If the lid is plain, and can be used as a tray, then I use it as a tray. This is especially true of the "workhorses" of the Montessori classroom, like bead bars. They get used so many times that it's much easier to have the lids off, and they don't accumulate dust because of the frequent use.
While lids may keep out some dust, more than once I've lifted a dusty lid off of a movable alphabet or bead box to find all the objects inside coated with dust as well...
If you have your materials out in a well-trafficked area, then having the lids on during "non-work" hours would probably be a good idea.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
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That makes sense.
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Theresa
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Box lids
