Bored of Montessori???
Nov 10th, 2008 by lapazfarm
Are your well-layed out shelves collecting dust? Are cobwebs growing on your manipulatives for lack of, well…manipulation? Are you tempted to describe your school as
“Montes-snore-i” ???
Time for a shake-up, I say!
In an effort to fight the ho-hums around here, this morning I temporarily stashed away some of our stand-by’s and put together some trays that are certain to inspire the kiddos to get those creative juices flowing! And guess what…it’s already working! Tee hee!
Wanna see?
Ok, but only a few at a time. I’ve got to dole these things out slowly, ya know, to keep you coming back to my humble little blog!LOL!
Ok, here is the first tray. I call it (did you know I name my trays? Weird, I know)…
The Dr Seuss creature creator:
Start with a copy of a Dr Seuss book (any one will do, really) for inspiration, add some neon colored play-doh, cut-up chenille stems, some colored feathers and an assortment of google-eyes, and you’ve got a creature factory ready to roll! For fun I also added a funky ceramic coaster to build or display the creations on.
JBug is practically drooling to start making creatures, but she has to clean her room first. Yes, I am mean like that. Just ask JBug. On second thought don’t.
Next up…
World-wide Wonders!
This has several components which I will explain. You can plainly see the architecture books which are there for inspiration. There is also a set of “Fun with Architecture” stamps and a basket with some colored stamp pads. Also there is a really great book “Draw 50 Buildings and other structures.” The red and blue wooden box is full of popsicle sticks, both notched and plain, just waiting to be assembled into fantastical structures.
But the best part (I couldn’t spell piece de resistance, so I settled for “best part”) is the tray. Here is a closer look:
The tray contains a set of world landmark cards (which has both natural and man-made landmarks like the pyramids, Mt Everest, Statue of Liberty, etc) a bunch of sculpey (white and colors), some sculpting tools, and a funky ceramic coaster to build on. Superboy took one look at this tray and said, “Well, I know what I’m doing this morning!” Ha! Gotcha!
(And then that sent him off on a rabbit trail which he has been following with vigor all day, which promises to last at least a week or so, and which I will write about tomorrow probably.)
Just one more before I go. The ultra-simple cloud kit:
And do I mean simple. A box of cotton balls, some glue, some blue paper squares, a set of cloud identification cards, and a pen for labeling. Can my work get any easier???
There is more, but I really need to check in on my kids and see just what they’ve come up with. Or come down with, whatever.
Plus, I’ve got to leave you wanting more, right???
See ya tomorrow!
36 Responses to “Bored of Montessori???”
Cool! *Running off to go create a cloud kit* We’re totally into cloud identification these days!
Theresa I do want to come back !! with a hat with my cat , imagine that
I do hope you post pics of your playdough suess creations and the building creations as well .
I love your blog as I’m such a visual learner it is perfect for me never mind the kids lol
ps. Theresa , what are those picky looking things on the building tray ?
Hey, we have that “Fun with Architecture” stamps & book set too! It really is fun.
(hm, I wonder where I put it…)
If you ever decide to publish a curriculum book I will be first in line to buy it!
I am more and more inspired each time I visit your blog. I’m kicking myself for not having thought of something so clever. I have most of the items found on your trays, minus the funky ceramic coasters, but would have never thought to put them together like you did.
Maybe I try to make things too difficult. I would have attempted to write out some kind of directions to go with each tray but I’m guessing that you just present, and let them take it where they choose. I know little to nothing regarding Montessori practices so if my realization comes across as someone clueless to the basics of Montessori learning, it’s because I am clueless.
Do you put out new trays each day, or are the trays meant to take days to explore?
You are so clever! I love, love, love all the trays but especially the Dr. Seuss one. Tee hee! Tomorrow is supposed to be icy and miserable, just perfect for making up some fun creatures.
Looking forward to hearing about your other great ideas!
Oh my gosh, Theresa….you’re brilliant! How do you come up with this stuff?? Great ideas! Love ‘em. Hopefully will get one together sometime this week!
Thank you for sharing these ideas! This is exactly what I need to do for Honey right now for her new interests!
Totally awesome. I will have to dream up some trays for my son. While these are fantastic, they will not hold his interest. He’s so picky. hahaha No Lizards? No Wizards? No reptiles or robots? No deal!
Cannot wait to hear more!
Btw, the security word I had to type in today was *chill* too appropriate perhaps? Sending warm thoughts your way!
love your shelves! i’m a huge advocate of extending books with activities! i think not only do kids love it but it helps them learn and retain it more!
way to go! i might have to make the dr seuss one!
You are so creative. There is never a dull moment when I come to visit your little blog. Great tray ideas. I love it!
Those are awesome!
Excellent!
Thanks for inspiring ME as well your own children!
What I love about these is that even if (er, make that when) I’m having a bad day (hormones, anyone?) throwing together a few trays for my nine and six year olds would take so little effort on my part, while pleasing and occupying them for a long time.
Thank you for the reminder!
Those look so fun!!!
Fun stuff as always, great ideas sweetie!
I love the Dr. Seuss ideas! Will have to do that here ….
I am in love with your Dr. Seuss tray. Often when we take walks, my children point out “Seussian” plants, rocks, seashells, driftwood, etc.. I can’t wait to have them try making their own!
I LOVE these! I would never of thought to put these things together. Where do you get all your fun kits(ie the stamps,& picture cards)? Do you have a special place that you purchase them? Do you make them?
I am thinking that something like this would be great for my dd. Now where could I put them? Sounds like a project for dh. LOL!
You are totally my HERO! Thanks for the wonderful ideas and fodder for the imagination.
Awesome ideas…we need a bit of “new” around here too. I can’t wait to set up “clouds”.Thank you!!
We’ve just used your cloud kit idea for our cloud study (I posted about it). Thanks so much for a fun idea! The kids loved it.
Wonderful ideas! We will be doing the Seuss creations this weekend! Can you tell me where you got the cloud identification cards? Thanks!
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer.I got the cards from Carolina Biological, but I have actually seen better ones for free online. Somewhere…
I found some free ones at montessorimaterials.com!!
Jennifer
I love your beautiful trays, the great ideas & creativity they will certainly inspire! I don’t do Montessori (though I love the principles!), but found you through my friend Lori (Montessori for Everyone.) I really like the way each tray “matches’ the theme. I am going to try one of these! Thank you!
lovely, creative, inspiring post . . . is there a post about the beautifuly ceramic coasters you put on the trays . . . I know they are probably really simple, but I’m not the creative sort–pls. give me some instruction to make one if you have the time
Thanks from a retired Montessori directress
Hey neat ideas thanks
I would love to see some of the buildings made/drawn etc and the clouds – can you please show some of the children’s creations???
Theresa says: Thanks, Susan, I think there are some later posts that show a few of their creations. It’s been several months since we did those, so I’m not sure which ones.
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
Love love love these! I am inspired to copy/create some trays! We are reading It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw and that would tie in perfectly with a cloud tray.
I would like to link up to your blog. May I use one of your photos?
Yes, you may, as long as you link and give credit. Thanks!
I love the Dr. Seuss play dough tray! I am featuring it in my Dr. Seuss Fave Five Friday post tomorrow. I am including a picture and link back to your site so be sure to stop by and check it out and let me know if there is any problem. Thanks!
Sierra
his4homeschooling.blogspot.com
Thanks, Sierra!