finger knitting

Most days there is some sewing happening in our class. We try to have a logical sequence of activities that call to children at different ages and stages, and a variety of works that allow everyone in the class to participate and create

Montessori Finger Knitting

I find sewing to be such a versatile area of the Practical Life curriculum. While yes, I can continue to make endless variations of pouring works, and repeated practice with pouring will no doubt help the child develop independence, improve eye-hand coordination, and will increase his self-confidence and concentration. There is something about engaging the child in creating a meaningful product with his hands – even if it as simple as stringing pony beads on yarn or sewing a line on burlap – it can focus the most unfocused child in a matter of moments.

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the closet – my montessori corners

There are so many wonderful ways to incorporate Montessori into the home. Some families have beautiful Montessori inspired playrooms, others have whole classrooms where they focus their homeschool activities, I fall somewhere in the middle. I am starting this series “our montessori home” as a way to show how we do Montessori in our home and how it has worked, how it hasn’t (I am thinking about our disastrous floor bed experience), and how it has evolved as Imogen grows.

To start it off I wanted to share my recent redo of my daughter’s closet.

Okay, here it goes, the before. Close your eyes, it’s a scary sight.

Montessori Closet

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the songs we sing

On most days we end our morning work cycle at 11:15 with an optional group. The children can join the group, continue working or help set-up for lunch. My preference has always been towards a more informal group focusing on songs, storytelling and books. During the year we do weave geography, science discussions and lessons into group, but for the most part I just like to sing. Now, I truly have no talent or aptitude toward music, not at all, but I do have great enthusiasm and a knack for remembering the words, or making up words that work at the moment!

This list grew out of a few parent requests for “the songs we sing”; where possible I have linked to videos. Two of my favorite resources for new songs (other than listening to other teachers) are Music Together CDs/classes and Pandora Radio’s Family Folk Song station.

John the Rabbit

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montessori bread work

 

For the last four years I have always had some variation of bread making as a work in my class. Some years I have started the work as early as October, other years I have waited until spring. It usually depends not only on the children, but also on my level of motivation. This year we are starting post spring break and we will use the rolls that we make for food prep – spreading either butter or peanut butter.

Montessori Bread Work

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