Showing posts with label montessori. Show all posts
Showing posts with label montessori. Show all posts
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Montessori Writing Within Lines
Montessori Writing Within Lines
Moveable Alphabet and object box with a lined board
Up until recently, my daughter has been writing letters on unlined paper and chalkboards. She has had lots of practice writing letters in sand, cornstarch, shaving cream and with chalk. Children are best starting out writing letters on blank paper or unlined chalkboards so that they are able to focus their attention on letter formation instead of worrying about placement. When a child is allowed to write on blank paper or boards it frees her/him to write larger, distinguishing more easily between lines and curves and it provides a more natural experience for the child.
Practicing writing on a line
It was recently that I decided to introduce the concept of writing on lines and letter placement within lines using both chalkboard writing and the moveable alphabet. I had previously purchased some nice sized chalkboards from a discount Montessori company when I ordered our moveable alphabet. I was so disappointed when the boards arrived. The set of green chalkboards consisted of a lined board and a board with squares (for numbers). The lines were perfect, I loved the large sizes of the boards, however, the board was so glossy that it wouldnt allow for chalk writing. Instead of returning the boards I decided to paint over them with chalkboard paint and add my own lines. This first board (pictured above) has simple lines for writing. This was used for the first introduction of writing on a line.
Writing numerals
Unrelated to letters, the other board I painted has squares used for writing numbers. I imagine it will be useful later on with more math related work, but right now it is used for numeral formation. Although not shown in the photo, at the top of the board is the numeral she is working on which she traced with her fingers first before writing.
We now use this board for work with the moveable alphabet and object boxes. I made it with flannel and hot glued on the lines. I stitched the dotted line with embroidery thread and hot glued the flannel onto a board (although cardboard would also work). My daughter is now getting familiar with the placement of the letter within the lines. Our next step, will be using lined paper after some more practice with the flannel lined board.
Available link for download
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Montessori This Week
Montessori This Week
I usually try to put together Montessori lessons or any other activity after my daughters are asleep. I find that once they see me getting into materials, closets, etc., they want to get involved too. This weekend I neglected to get together some Montessori activities for the week so I found myself, Monday morning, going through the closet and putting things together. As a result my daughter picked mostly old favorites she wanted to do.
This activity was new to my youngest daughter. I tried the golf tees, styrofoam and hammer before but found it so messy. This time I cut smaller pieces of styrofoam and used a tray with a good edge. It actually is working well and one of her favorites. I also cut about 5 more styrofoam pieces that sit on the shelf next to the tray so that once the used one has reached it limit she can easily get a new one.
(This is really as messy as it got.)
Mystery bag- two of each shape, one in the bag, the other held in the hand. We took turns finding the matches.
Open and Close- she insisted on this activity because she loves the little dolls that hide inside. I need to come up with a more challenging version. (Maybe for next week!)
In addition to this we also used a metal inset and knobless cylinders for stacking.
Available link for download
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Montessori Cards and Counters and Odd and Even
Montessori Cards and Counters and Odd and Even
Here are some photos of my daughter using the Montessori lessons Cards and Counters and Odd and Even. I thought I would include the lesson plans here for anyone wanting to use this with their children.
Cards and Counters is the first lesson presented. It allows the child to match number with numeral. It also serves as a visual introduction to the second lesson which focuses on naming what is Odd and what is Even.
I have seen this lesson presented different ways with some adults demonstrating using a single line under the numeral. I was taught to present having the counters in pairs from the start, because it prepares the child for the odd and even lesson to follow.
Purpose: To match number with numeral
Behavioral Objective: The child will be able to match the number with the numeral.
Preliminary Exercises: Number rods, Sandpaper Numerals, Spindle Boxes
Materials: 55 counters (pennies, pebbles, flatten marbles, etc. of all the same size and color and cards labeled with numerals 1-10
1. Invite the child for the lesson
2. Remove the lesson from the shelf and carry to the table or rug.
3. Sit on the childs right side.
4. Have the child set out the numeral cards in order left to right.
5. Pick up one counter and place it under 1 toward the left side.
6. One at a time place two counters under the 2, side by side.
7. One at a time place three counters under the 3, with two side by side and the third toward the left under the pair.
8. Invite the child to finish the rest.
9. Replace cards and counters to the shelf and thank the child for the lesson saying "Now you may use the cards and counters whenever you wish."
Control of Error: The child will have exactly enough to finish if counters are placed correctly.
Cards and Counters: Odd and Even
Purpose: To teach odd and even in numeral and number form.
Behavioral Objective: The child will be able to identify odd and even when requested by the teacher.
Preliminary Exercises: Success with Cards and Counters
Materials: 55 Counters all of the same color and size
Numeral cards with numerals 1-10
Presentation:
1. Invite the child for the lesson with odd and even.
2. Take the materials to the rug or table.
3. Sit to the right of the child.
4. Request the child set up the cards and counters.
5. After all of the counters are laid out, point to the single counter under numeral 1 and say "This is odd."
6. Point to the pair of counters at numeral 2 and say "This is even"
7. Point to the single counter at numeral 3 and say "This is odd"
8. Continue to 10 (the child usually likes to join in) making sure to point out the single or pair.
9. Request: "Show me odd."
10. Request: "Show me even" Continue 5 more times
11. Touch any amount of counters and ask "What do we call this?"
12. Repeat randomly 5 more times asking "What do we call this?
13. Together replace the materials to the shelf and thank the child for the lesson. Say: "Now you may use the odd and even lesson whenever you wish."
Control of Error: There will be enough counters to complete the lesson when used correctly and the counters will alternate odd and even demonstrated visually because the odd does not have a partner.
Available link for download
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Montessori Morning Activities Starting a new rhythm
Montessori Morning Activities Starting a new rhythm
Today was the first day of kindergarten for my oldest daughter. Kindergarten in our town is a four day program with 3 half days and one full day. Before today I thought a lot about what this new schedule would mean for my youngest daughter (turning four next month). I had no idea what she would want to do with her sister now off at school four mornings a week. I thought about keeping to our typical morning play routine and then I thought about setting up activities, but ultimately I held off from doing anything to see what naturally occurred. What naturally occurred was a request for activities and to do something me. Being completely unprepared, I went to our Montessori closet and put together a few activities and just like that a new part of our morning rhythm was established.
We played a favorite game with the Mystery Bag- always fun.
She used the dropper, colored water and suction cups.
And when she finished, she especially like my demonstration of dipping the corner of the sponge into each suction cup so the sponge "can drink it up (slurping sound included)"
She practiced pouring into different sized containers.
And she wiped up spills.
My daughter worked on all of the activities and then we made and she used playdough to finish off the morning. I found the best place to store the activities was with the table they would be used with. Using the top two shelves of a bookcase I placed the activities where she could reach them. There are five there now and I feel like this is a good amount. Its simplicity makes it inviting and accessible for her. My plan is to change the activities on a weekly basis and to have mostly practical life and sensorial activities on the shelves. Below are close up photos of the activities I (quickly!) put together for this week.
Pouring Water Into Different Sized Glasses
Transferring Marbles Using Strawberry Huller
Using A Dropper
Metal Insets: Circle
We are also back into our non-summer rhythm with Monday Painting, Tuesday Journal Drawing, Wednesday Craft, Thursday Baking, and (new) Friday Montessori Activities (for my kindergarten). All this in addition to songs and finger plays again. I like the lack of routine the summer months bring us but feel so energized and excited to be back to our former rhythm once again.
Available link for download
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)