Since I still can't get into the classroom to start setting up, I decided to shop a little today at our local thrift store, dollar stores, and discount store to see what, if any, treasures I could find for the classroom this fall. I think I did pretty well.
First off, before shopping, I had to read my favorite blogs. Today on Mary Beth's blog she had some photos of her little boys playing with a "bean tub." I have noticed these on several blogs over the past months and have wanted to make one for my little boys. So.........when I headed out today, my goal was to get a tub with lid, funnel, measuring cups, and beans to set up one of our own. I have posted the photo below. My boys haven't dug into it yet as one is at a day camp today and the other is asleep right now. I am hoping they enjoy it. I found it a nice sensory experience to run my hands through the beans as I poured and mixed them in the tub, so I am pretty sure they will like it too.
I wish I could have gotten a larger container, but the cost of both a larger container and more beans was prohibitive. As it is, I think I have about 10 bags of beans in this tub.
Edited 6/5/08: After his nap, my little guy dug into the bean tub and really enjoyed it. He is learning how to hold the funnel over the tub so beans don't go all over the floor; however, I can really see that a larger tub would help with that issue. So...........we may eventually transition to a bigger tub.
I got these trays and bowls at one of the dollar stores. They will be bright and fun in the Practical Life area.
I found these bags of glass beads and stones at the discount store. The green and blue glass pebbles will go nicely with the trays and bowls from the dollar store in a Practical Life work.
This little watering can is from the local thrift store. It will be used for a plant watering activity. Meg at Montessori by Hand has a post showing an adorable apron she made for this activity in her classroom.
I photographed all today's purchases on a rug I bought at one of the dollar stores. I am planning to use this rug in my peace corner in the classroom.
Forgot to say that our daycare room has a bean table and the kids love it! It's one of those stand up and play next to it, deep tables with a cover. Sometimes they have sand in it, and the kids can search for shells and things. For the last month or so, they have had many varieties of beans in it (I think leftover from some autumn cooking projects) and the kids love to scoop and pour the beans. They also use one of those funnels with the spinning wheel that you see for water/sand toys in there. They limit it to two children at a time so things don't get too crazy. When I arrive to pick up my son and he happens to be playing there, I enjoy playing with him a few minutes too. The beans have such a great texture.
Posted by: Tina | June 05, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Thanks for linking to Meg's post about the watering activity. I read her blog, but must have missed that one. I love that apron and the activity with the little plant markers. (I've been wanting to learn to make yo-yos.) I've printed it out to give my son's teacher since I am in the process of making her some new aprons for next year. Maybe she'd like a plant apron! They probably already do something similar, but I don't think I've seen the markers before. I'll have to look when I go pick him up today! Thanks! Have you seen Casey's Wood Products? Great resource for little wooden things. http://www.caseyswood.com
Posted by: Tina | June 05, 2008 at 01:34 PM
There is a store called Dollar Tree that has everything for $1.00. I don't know if you have been there but they might have items you could use in your classroom.
Posted by: Trisha | June 04, 2008 at 05:08 PM