A few more new things

Here are a few more of the new things out on the shelves in my Montessori classroom this week.

The necklace work is ALWAYS a very popular activity on the art shelf.  I have had a variation of necklace making out for most of the year.  Sometimes when we run out of materials it might be off the shelf for a week or so, but the children are always glad to see it.  This week we have a Halloween theme to our necklace materials.  From the 11:00 position and going clockwise are:  pipe cleaner spirals in orange, white and black; Halloween cupcake liners cut into sixths and hole-punched; coiled plastic lacing; straws; colored pasta.  If you are a new reader of the blog, see this post for more information about the necklace activity.

Playdough has also reappeared in the Practical Life area.  I leave this set up on a table as shown in the photo.  This week I made pumpkin pie playdough using my favorite homemade playdough recipe and adding plenty of pumpkin pie spice and orange food coloring.  This adds another sensorial dimension to the tactile experience of playing with dough.  It has been very funny to hear the children comment on what they think the playdough smells like.  You can't see it well in the photo, but I have added small tin cookie cutters in fall shapes.  I found these at a thrift store recently and the children really enjoy using them.........I think it's because they are so small.

NOTE:  If you would like to try my favorite homemade playdough recipe, send me a comment and I'll email it to you.  I'm kind of assuming most of you already make your own playdough, but that may not be the case.  I universally prefer homemade dough to purchased dough.  It's so fun to make seasonal variations such as peppermint-scented dough with glitter at Christmas time, apple pie dough with apple pie spices in the fall, gingerbread dough, etc.  A great stocking stuffer idea is a small ball of "Christmas" dough in a cellophane bag with a little tin cookie cutter tied on with a ribbon. 

Comments

[mishalee]

i'd love a copy. i have a stand-by, but it's always good to try new things. i didn't have much luck last year when i put pumpkin pie spice in the dough, the kids said it smelled 'funny'...thank you.
by the way, i'm really enjoying your blog, my son attends an amazing montessori school here in mesa, az and i have an in-home childcare business. we've used several of your ideas already. thanks again!

[haya]

does adding spices to the playdough result in more kids eating it?

[rachel]

I'd really like a copy of your recipe as none of the ones I've tried have worked.

Thank you.

[Patricia C.]

I'd love the recipe, too. Thanks!

[Kristin]

I would love to have your play dough recipe. I love, love, love the idea of adding in extras like spices! What a great idea. I have my grandmother's old play dough recipe, so that's what I've been using and never thought to add fun glitter and/or seasonal spices. Just another reminder why I read your blog! Thanks,
Kristin

[CJ]

Love your blog - your creative ideas. Am planning to try out some with my daughter as she grows up. I would love to have your playdough recipe too. Thank you.

[Rose]

My last homemade playdough recipe bombed so I would love to have yours. Im inspired and excited by all the seasonal possibilites.

[RM]

I was only paying you a visit as I am trying to make a pumpkin activity, but for some reason I can not draw a pumpkin. So I knew you had lots to copy...then when I saw you had a new post up I closed it quickly as not to spoil it and went and made a cup of tea! YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK!!!!!
I know christmas is far away but can I just ask when you start putting that stuff out? I would love the play doh recipie, as the one I use isn't that great and puts me off, is the pumpkin pie spice jsut like say vanilla extract? Thanks!

[RM]

It is so funny, I was only at your blog to copy one of your pumpkins, I am planning to make a pumpkin activity but for some strange reason I couldn't draw a simple pumpkin! Anyway I wasn't expecting to see a new post and when I did I closed it quickly as not to spoil it and ran and got a cup of tea. I love your blog so much, and I have recently enjoyed "chasing cheerios" which I found on your blog roll so thanks!
When do you start putting out your christmas stuff, I know it is a while away, I am just curious.
Comments don't appear to be working, I have copied this about 5 times!

[RM]

It is so funny, I was only at your blog to copy one of your pumpkins, I am planning to make a pumpkin activity but for some strange reason I couldn't draw a simple pumpkin! Anyway I wasn't expecting to see a new post and when I did I closed it quickly as not to spoil it and ran and got a cup of tea. I love your blog so much, and I have recently enjoyed "chasing cheerios" which I found on your blog roll so thanks!
When do you start putting out your christmas stuff, I know it is a while away, I am just curious.

[RM]

It is so funny, I was only at your blog to copy one of your pumpkins, I am planning to make a pumpkin activity but for some strange reason I couldn't draw a simple pumpkin! Anyway I wasn't expecting to see a new post and when I did I closed it quickly as not to spoil it and ran and got a cup of tea. I love your blog so much, and I have recently enjoyed "chasing cheerios" which I found on your blog roll so thanks!
When do you start putting out your christmas stuff, I know it is a while away, I am just curious.

[RM]

It is so funny, I only clicked on to your blog just now as I am trying to draw a pumpkin for an activity I hoped to make and I know that I have seen plenty of simple ones here. When I saw you had a new post up I quickly closed it as not to spoil it and went and made a cuppa. This is not the first time either, lol. I still have to make the tree activity as well. I am in a bit of a slump just now, but I will get out of it :0).

I hope you don't mind this somewhat unrelated question. Is it ok to laminate a picture that has glue in it? I am scared to do it! Also when do you start putting out your christmas stuff?