My Montessori Journey

Score at the thrift store!

I got some great items at my local thrift store today.  Pretty much everything I bought will end up on the shelves in my classroom soon.  You can find out more by reading this post on my other blog.  Oh, and don't be alarmed by the title of the post.........nothing x-rated on either of these blogs.  :0)

St. Patrick's Day trail game

Hello!  I'm still here.  This has just been a really busy week.  I am posting a little trail game I made for two children to play.  I actually had this from my previous Montessori teaching gig and just pulled it out.  Below you can see how I've set this up on a tray: gameboard, bowl with game markers and die (marked with 1-3 since the trail is short), two pots to hold the gold, a container for the gold coins.

 

Below you can really see the gameboard close-up.  I just made it with stickers stuck to copy paper and then matted onto green construction paper and laminated.  This time when I pulled the game out and observed some of my students playing it, I realized that they were having a hard time visually interpreting the path made by the shamrock and coin stickers.  So I used a black Sharpie marker to draw black lines between the spaces.  This helps them visually perceive which direction the path is going from start to finish.

 

To play, each child gets an empty black pot and a game marker.  I used clown erasers which I thought loosely resembled leprechauns.  They place the game markers on start and take turns rolling the die to determine how many spaces to move.  If they land on a gold coin space on an exact roll, they get to take a gold coin and place it in their pot.  I told them they could play until one player or both players reached the finish.  Then they count up their coins to determine who collected the most.  My assistant and I modelled this game in front of the whole group.  Each time, my assistant accumulated many more gold coins than I did.  This provided a good opportunity to talk about good sportsmanship and how to handle it if you don't collect the most or finish first.  We talked about playing for enjoyment more than winning.

The photos below show a close-up of the gameboard and one of the pots of gold.

 

 

I really like having these types of games available in the classroom.  Many times two friends want to work together and need activities that facilitate this.  There is so much to be learned from a simple trail game: counting, one-to-one correspondence as they move their game pieces, turn taking, and good sportsmanship.

A new award

I was humbled and excited to check my inbox this morning and see that Arwen of Sporschool had nominated me for the Kreative Blogger award.

   

I am supposed to list 6 things that inspire my creativity.  That's kind of hard, actually, but I'll give it a shot:      

First is definitely other bloggers.  I am continally amazed and inspired by what others are doing in their classrooms and homes.  And I'm so grateful that they share with the world through the internet. Second would be browsing in thrift stores.  I love to find unique items and design activities for children around them.  Third, taking a shower.  Really!  Many of my ideas are solidifed in my mind while I take a shower.  Maybe it's the only quiet, reflective time in my day.  I probably take unecessarily long showers as a result.  Fourth, my sewing projects in particular are inspired by my many relatives who create or who did create things with their hands.  Fifth, when I have time, I love to browse Etsy for a glimpse of what others are doing and creating.  And finally, sixth, I have a very strong inner motivation to create things.  I am sure that the credit for this goes to God, the ultimate Creator.

Now I have to nominate 6 other blogs that inspire me.  That is so hard to narrow down too.  Many of the ones I love have already been nominated by others.  So to share the love, I'll try to nominate ones I haven't seen nominated elsewhere for this award.

Itty Bitty Love, Salt and Chocolate,  Adventures of a Rainbow Mama, Let's Explore, Pink Penguin, and  Skip To My Lou.  

Be sure to check out the blogs of these fabulous ladies.  You're sure to come away inspired as well.

Popping in and out

Hi, all!  I am officially on winter break.  We were supposed to have the AM preschool session tomorrow morning, but are in the midst of a big ice/snowstorm so school has been cancelled for tomorrow.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting less often on this blog.  Don't worry........lots of new Montessori-related posts to come in the new year.

In the meantime, I will be posting probably just about every day over at my new blog, A Day of Wonders.  So come on over and visit me there!  

I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing holiday (if you have a holiday!!) and I'll "see" you soon.

Oh, and before I forget, one of my greatest blessings in 2008 has been starting this blog and hearing from my readers all over the world almost every day.  I read every comment and treasure them dearly.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your support and encouragement.  Seriously. 

Check out my new blog!

I may be crazy, but I wanted to let you all know that I've started a new blog (in addition to this one!).  I decided that I wanted a separate place to document things I am doing at home with my boys as well as a place to write about topics or thoughts that aren't necessarily Montessori-related.  For now, I am starting off posting about our daily advent activities during the month of December.  So if you'd like to read more about what we're doing, head on over to A Day of Wonders to check it out.  I have also added a link to the new blog on the sidebar of this blog.  My new blog has a playlist of a few of my favorite songs as well.  I am excited that I was able to easily figure out how to add that to the blog.  It seems more appropriate to have it on that blog instead of this one for some reason.  Anyway........I'd be honored if you go check it out.  Let me know what you think!  

Gratitude 2008

  Though I don't blog about it much (if ever), I am a scrapbooker.  I haven't actually scrapbooked per se for several months, but it is something I enjoy doing.  Hopefully my boys will appreciate my efforts to document their childhood.  They both enjoy looking at their completed albums (and urging me to catch up on those that are behind!!).  On Thanksgiving I was inspired to pull together a little mini-scrapbook project. It actually is not very decorative, so I'm not sure it would count as a scrapbook in some people's minds.  Still...........it captures a special afternoon spent with family so I think it counts!  My inspiration for the project was an idea that was described in Amanda Blake Soule's book (there is a link to her book in my Amazon sidebar.....it's a good investment, in my opinion).   In her book she writes about doing a "Gratitude Alphabet" with her children.  They sit together and try to think of something they are thankful for that begins with each letter of the alphabet.  I was immediately drawn to this idea.  

So..........for our little book I took 28 tags I happened to have on hand (available at any office supply store) and with my 7yo son placed a letter of the alphabet on each of 26 tags using some letter stickers I had.  One blank tag became the title page after I adhered letter stickers to it spelling out "Gratitude 2008".   The other blank tag was our back cover on which I wrote the date of our Thanksgiving dinner.  We took the loose tags over to my parents' house when we went there for Thanksgiving dinner.  After the meal my oldest son passed out a pencil and 5 tags to himself and the 4 adults (my youngest son got "Z") with the directions that each person had to think of something they were thankful for that begins with the letter on their tag.  They had to write their "thankful thing" as well as their name on the tag.  After everyone was finished we tied all the tags together to make a "book" and my oldest son read the entire book out loud (of course I taped it on my digital camera!).  I think this will be a tradition that we will repeat in future years.  It will be fun to look back at our gratitude books and see everyone's handwriting as well as the things they listed being thankful for.  Below are a few photos of our book.

 

NOTE:  I think this is a project that could be done at any time of the year, not just on Thanksgiving.  Obviously, there are many parts of the world who don't celebrate Thanksgiving.  So.......what I'm trying to say is if you like this idea go ahead and do it no matter when it is.  You will treasure the finished product, the time spent reflecting with family and friends, AND you'll be glad to say you've completed a project.  It's very quick and easy with little prep work.  GO FOR IT!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving here in the good ol' US of A.  My little family of four will head over to my parents' house for a feast.  It will just be the six of us so it should be restful and relaxing.  My mom is cooking the turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberries, green bean casserole, and I'm not sure what else.  I will be bringing Dilly Spoon Rolls.  I made these a few years ago using a recipe from a cooking magazine.  They are really good and really easy.  You stir them up and spoon them into a muffin tin.  Much easier than forming individual rolls and much better than frozen dinner rolls.  I googled to find a recipe and (hopefully) they will turn out as well as I remember.  I am kind of notorious for trying out untested recipes on major holidays.  It usually works out okay.  I am also bringing a Corn Casserole that I've never made before.  I got the recipe from Stacy Julian's blog (she is the founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine) and it sounds easy and good.  So we'll see.  Scroll down in the link I've provided for the recipe.........you'll see it near the bottom of her post.  AND............I'm making a sweet potato casserole that.........I've never made before.  I got the recipe from Janice, who has been the babysitter of my children since they were infants AND she is a fantastic cook and swears by this recipe.  I have typed it up for you here.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup half and half

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.  Spread into an 11X7 baking dish.  Sprinkle with topping (see recipe below) and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 T. flour 

1/4 cup butter, cold

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine first two ingredients.  Cut in butter.  Add pecans.  Sprinkle on top of mashed sweet potato mixture and bake as described above.

Sorry for no photos.  I've actually been up to a lot that I'll be posting about soon.  Something Christmasy and a couple more lapbooks.  And lots of new activities for the classroom once I get in there this weekend.  So.......stay tuned.........and until then, consider what you have to be thankful for.  Following is my list:

I am thankful for............

my family (a husband who is a kind man and a loving father and two beautiful healthy sons)

my parents, who taught me to work hard, love God and give to others (THANKS, Mom and Dad!)

my mother-in-law, who is loving, laid-back, and fun to be around 

my home which is cozy and comfortable, just how I like it

my job which I love so much that I blog about it nearly every day!!

my faith (I am so grateful to have faith in a loving God and to pass that faith on to my children)

my friends who like me even though I am a lame-o and don't call them often enough!

my material loves such as:  Diet Pepsi, books, craft supplies, my computer!!, flannel pajama pants, hot tea on a cold day (Ginger Peach tea is the best tea EVAH!!  I am asking Santa for 2 tins of it; one black tea and one green tea) , blankets to snuggle under, warm mittens, Camille Beckman glycerin hand therapy (best lotion ever!)

I am reflectively amused by the "material loves" list.  It is definitely indicative of the kind of weather we've been having here in the Midwest recently.  However, this week has been pretty warm for November. Seriously, though, if I had my family, friends and that (pretty short and not-too-materialistic) stash of material items I would be totally set.  It was kind of fun making that list.  I need to do it more often!

PS:  If Santa is reading this list.......I would love some new flannel PJs in addition to the 2 tins of tea if that's not asking too much!

Christmas gift ideas for preschoolers

At parent-teacher conferences I had a few parents ask me for gift suggestions for the preschool age group.  So I've written this post to answer that question as best I can.  I tend to prefer to buy gifts for my children and for other children from online vendors.  There are several reasons for this.  First, the convenience.........I love to be able to "shop" in my PJs late at night and have the purchases delivered to my house.  Second, the online shopping world is so vast that I am able to find unique items that I just can't find at my local big box toystore or department store.  So today I'll share with you some of my favorites. 

  

This Hammering Shapes set from Montessori Services  is probably one of the most favorite activities on my shelves in the classroom.  It appeals to both girls and boys.  Montessori Services also has a  Farm Yard Hammering set that I secretly covet for my classroom.  It would be very popular, I'm sure.

  

Wedgits  are another very popular item that is always out on my shelves.  I would recommend purchasing the Design Cards to go with them.  When you click through to the Amazon link I've provided you will see a link for the Design Cards.  They don't come with the Starter Set.  This material will appeal not only to your preschooler, but also to children (and adults) of all ages.

 

This Hex Bolt Board is also from Montessori Services.  There are several different boards available to purchase from them.  

  

This set of Matroyshka Dolls is also available from Montessori Services and would make a lovely heirloom-quality gift for any young child.  Children this age love working with nesting dolls (boys and girls alike).

 

This Blue Number Counting Book (also from........Montessori Services....love that store!!) would be a perfect gift for your little ones who are just learning number concepts to 10.  Each page has a beautiful flocked velvet numeral for little fingers to trace accompanied by a picture with flocked objects to count.  Another perfect keepsake gift.

 

This Red Letter Alphabet Book from Montessori Services is similar to the number book.  A flocked velvet letter on each page with accompanying pictures of things containing that letter's sound.  

 

To promote creativity with little mess, I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of these Do-A-Dot paint markers.  We have used them for many projects in the classroom and they are so fun and versatile.  A must have for your budding artist.

  

Another must-have for your preschool artist (in my opinion) are these Crayon Rocks from Let's Explore.  They come ready for giving in a little velvet drawstring bag.  These are so perfect for helping very young children use a tripod grasp.  And they are just plain fun to draw with.

  Photo courtesy of Magic Cabin

Another great art supply investment are these Lyra Chubby Colored Pencils.  These are an absolute dream to work with.  I hand-colored some work for the classroom a few weeks ago and used the ones I have at home.  I had never used them before and did not realize (until then) that there could be such a difference in colored pencils.  It's kind of like buying generic peanut butter instead of JIF.  It's just not the same.  Well.......I am here to tell you that these pencils are a great investment.  They will last a LONG time, are sized perfectly for little hands, and are so smooth and creamy.  A great gift idea.  

  Photo courtesy of Magic Cabin

This Wooden Stencils Kit would be a super gift paired with the colored pencils.  Stencils are wonderful for developing beginning writing skills and your preschooler is sure to love having them available to use for drawing and card-making.  

You can tell from all the previous suggestions that I love Montessori Services.  I also really love the variety of items available from Amy at Let's Explore.  In fact, my two little artists are getting art totes for Christmas.  I purchased them from Amy this summer (but it looks like she doesn't have them any more).  I am planning to fill them with lots of artsy goodies including new markers, glue sticks, tape, mini-staplers, and maybe some Stockmar Modelling Beeswax .  My nieces (who attended Waldorf schools) used this modelling wax both at school and at home to create such neat things.  So..........I think that's on Santa's list for us this year.  We'll see.

Photo courtesy of A Toy Garden

Also for the little guys on MY gift list, I am really thinking about investing in some more instruments for our collection.  We have a few egg shakers and a drum, but not much else in the way of instruments.  I am really loving the set pictured above from A Toy Garden.  I am thinking about purchasing some instruments (probably the ones pictured here) and putting them in a vintage suitcase I have along with some other ones we have and maybe some ethnic costumes from Creative Diversity. Then my boys could jam in style.    

  Photo courtesy of Amazon

Here is a great CD that we own and that I love with a variety of ethnic music on it.  I am particularly fond of the song "Bongo Bong" (don't read anything into that, OK??).  In fact, I am thinking that it is time to invest in a larger drum (for me as much as the kids) such as this one from Montessori Services so I can more effectively jam to this particular tune.

   Photo courtesy of Amazon

Every household with young children should have a good set of wooden blocks.  I personally own the set pictured here.  At this time it is at school and the children play with it EVERY day.  It is a really great set.  You can also buy it in natural finish, I think. 

 

Animal figures go great with a set of blocks (or without!).  Over the years we have invested in a variety of animal figures for the boys and they have been played with endlessly.  As you can see from the photo I keep them in a canvas bin for easy access.  A great source for purchasing high-quality figures such as those made in Germany by Schleich is Ouray Toys.  They sell many great things on their website, and you can pretty much find any animal figure you are looking for no matter how uncommon it may be.  It is really easy to navigate their site to find the specific animal you want and they can all be purchased individually.  I have ordered from them several times and their customer service is excellent. 

    Photo courtesy of For Small Hands

Bead stringing is another very popular activity in my classroom and is chosen regularly by boys and girls.  Pictured above is the Animal Necklace Threading set from For Small Hands.  This company is a sister company of Montessori Services.

  Photo courtesy of Montessori Services

I have had my eye on this activity ever since I first saw it in the Montessori Services catalog.  You use a plastic pen to punch the laces into the holes to create a design.  Then the lace can be removed to do the whole thing all over again.  It is called Filo Design with Laces.  I am totally wanting it for my classroom.  I actually saw it at Target this past week but didn't buy it.  I'm trying not to buy everything I want for the classroom since I am not made of money (haha).  However, I think it would be a really great and unique gift.

  Photo courtesy of For Small Hands

I have also had my eye on this marble run for a while.  It is not something I could afford to just go out and purchase for my classroom, but I am VERY sure it would be a great investment if I did have the funds for it.  This would be a great gift that could be passed down from generation to generation.  I love the open-endedness of it and the great spatial thinking that it requires.  It is called Quadrilla and is available in many configurations.  The Basic Set is pictured here.

  Photo courtesy of Magic Cabin

Something else I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE is this Butterfly Lacing Set from Magic Cabin.  I have never seen anything like this and I just love it.  (Can you tell how much I love it???)  There are a bunch of wooden butterfly wing pieces that can be sewn onto the flower and butterfly body.  How totally cool is that??  And what an amazing gift this would be.  Truly outstanding.  Love it!!

   Photo courtesy of Magic Cabin

I also really LOVE (sorry.........I need a thesaurus, obviously) this set of Nesting Rainbows.  It is just so happy looking and visually appealing.  And, once again, would be a beautiful heirloom-quality gift to give a special little person.

  Photo courtesy of Magic Cabin

This set of six Big Punch Balls from Magic Cabin would make great stocking stuffers.  I can kind of vaguely remember having one of these as a child.  They are really fun.  My youngest guy in particular is a balloon fanatic and would go ape over these.  I may just have to head over to Magic Cabin and order a set after I write this post!

Well, I'm going to end this post now.  It's taken me several hours to write (in bits and pieces of course.......I never have several uninterrupted hours to write!!) with all the links.  I'm pretty happy with the list I've compiled.  You may notice that nothing on this list requires batteries.  There is nothing in my classroom that uses batteries either (except our CD player).  I am not necessarily against electronic toys.  There are certainly great ones out there and my own children have many variations of them (mostly purchased for them by other people).  However, I have observed that young children in particular tend to play with those types of toys a few times and then they don't go back to them.  The initial attraction is gone after you've tried all the buttons.  The toys listed here are classic and timeless.  They are open-ended and invite exploration and discovery.  They are toys that children will likely return to again and again.  In my humble opinion, they are a good investment of your gift-giving dollars.  I would love to hear from all of you about your favorite toys to give young children.  I'm sure there are many, many more than those I've highlighted here.  So.......drop me a line and a link.  Maybe I'll try to do a follow-up post that includes your suggestions.  In the meantime.........happy gifting!

 

  

  

  

  

 

  

 

     

 

     

Operation Christmas Child

This year our family contributed 2 boxes to Operation Christmas Child.  This is a program sponsored by Samaritan's Purse.  Basically what you have to do is take an empty shoebox and fill it with gift items for needy children.  The boxes are shipped all over the world and distributed to children who have nothing.  I am embarrassed to admit this but I actually purchased everything and filled two boxes LAST  YEAR and then didn't get my act together to get the boxes to the distribution center in time.  However, I saved them all year and the boys and I wrapped them tonight.  I am really happy that we participated in this important mission work.  I very much want to instill giving hearts in my boys and this was a great way to reinforce that way of thinking.  My oldest son really understood the significance of what we were doing.  My little one (he's 3 1/2) was initially in tears when he saw a little football in one of the boxes.  He could not understand why he couldn't keep it.  Thanks to the amazing technology of the internet, I was able to bring him upstairs to the computer where we watched several short videos on the Samaritan's Purse website.  I told him I would show him the little boys that would get his box.  We talked about how he has many, many balls to play with as well as other toys and some little boys don't have any.  We also talked about how very happy a little boy somewhere in the world would be to get his gift.  After that he eagerly ran downstairs to put the ball into the box and was excited to help pack the other items.  (We also prayed for the children who will receive the boxes when I put my little boy to bed.)

I was very moved by watching the videos of the children opening their packages.  In fact tears were streaming down my face.  We are so unbelievably blessed and it is so important to constantly be aware of that.  My oldest son (he is 7 and can read) was also very touched.  He could read the text that was included in the videos and he kept telling his little brother that "It's more than giving a gift.  It's giving Jesus.  It's giving the children love."  I thought that was so cool.

  

Here is a photo that shows what we packed into one of the boxes.  I purchased everything at our local dollar store.  There are 2 toothbrushes (I need to add toothpaste), a magna-doodle, several new pairs of socks, a new washcloth, a notebook, a few books, a box of crayons, a coloring book, a hand puppet, a card game, a football and a little toy bus.

   

Here are our wrapped boxes.  You have to use a box with a removable lid so the contents can be inspected.  You can even use a plastic shoe box with a lid instead of cardboard.  You also print out a label (available on the website) that designates whether your gift is intended for a boy or girl and what age category it is meant for.  Since we have 2 boys we chose to send to 2 boys.

  

Here is a close-up of the label taped to the box.  You also must include $7 per box to cover shipping costs.  The collection for the US ends this Saturday, November 22.  So it's not too late to give.  All the details you need are on the website.  

I am thinking of setting a goal to double our contribution every year so we would give 4 boxes next year, then 8, then 16, etc.  Maybe that's too lofty of a goal.  Still........the boys and I (and DH) could think about it all year and buy things along the way.  It would be fun too to send boxes to girls as well.  As the boys get older they could even come up with ways to earn the money needed for shipping.   

200th post!

I was just sitting down to write a post for tomorrow when I noticed that the post just prior to this one was my 200th!  Wow!  It's been lots of fun writing the blog so far.  I am very grateful for all the positive and supportive feedback I've gotten.  This week is a crazy-busy one with THREE Fall parties in my classroom throughout the week (Thank goodness the parents totally plan these!), a fundraiser for my MOPS group that I'm helping with and 28 parent-teacher conferences to prepare for and give on Friday.  (Not to mention I have to finish sewing a Halloween costume for my oldest son, carve pumpkins, paint myself a shirt so I have one for the parties AND take the boys trick-or-treating after 28 conferences!!)  Oh well, we all have a lot on our plates.  However, please know that this week I don't have a lot of time to give the blog, so the posts may be well...............reflective of that.