Writing Workshop/Art Shelves!

So I never did find the shelving I was searching for, but it is always best to just make use of what you already have. Here is my plan http://sjbacb.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-latest-scheme.html

Here is what I did so far...What do you think???

I combined the art and writing shelves together since so many of the materials overlapped. It has been working really well for us so far. This shelf is in the dining room, underneath the bar that we have never used.

TOP SHELF~ Tray with letter stamps and stamp pad, sand tray with black sand, letter tracing with wipeoff pen, basket of assorted paper.

SECOND SHELF~ Stencils, Pencils and Pens, Colored Pencils, Sandpaper letters, Magnetic Drawing Board.

THIRD SHELF~ lowercase wooden pieces for HWT, basket of crayons, scissors and hole punch, markers, ruler.




FOURTH/BOTTOM SHELF~ Perler Beads Bucket and trays, Tackle box with craft items, notebooks on top of junk drawer.


I still have a few more things I want to add but it is sure nice to have it all up and running. When we do our Preschool time, the days we do not go down to the Montessori room, we do work at the dining table. So this set up works really great! SO what do you think? Any suggestions?

Wednesday's Website

Go to this site right this minute if you want to find great "teacher approved" educational websites for your kids.

http://www.topicbox.net/index.php

Montessori Monday

Idea from Karen at http://www.amontessorimarketplace.com/teachertraining.html. I took one of Karen's classes more than a year ago! These are GREAT for homeschooling Moms, she actually provides you with her entire album to download as the class progresses. There is no real work involved just an open discussion of the lessons within her albums.

This is a simple activity for any child learning to write their name. I just created mine in Microsoft Word adding a picture of Josh at the top and appropriate lines. I then printed it out, wrote his name and laminated the whole card. He can now use a wipeoff crayon or marker and trace over the top and wipe it with the felt before he puts it back. Easy to make and great practice!

Also check out Montessori Monday at http://athousandjoys.blogspot.com/!

Getting Back on Track!

I have so many crazy schemes up my sleeve right now I feel as if I am drowning in half finished projects and not really accomplishing anything! uhhh well, it will get done!

Anyway...thought I would give you a preview of what we have been up to and where we are going. (actual blog entries pending!)

• Science Journal~ Josh and I have started a science journal. We do a science "experiment" and fill out a journal entry with drawings and writings.
• Writing Workshop shelves~ almost finished but have been more of a challenge then expected.
• Art Shelves~ see above
• Cooking Mama and me~ Planning to try to do more of these again, it was such a fun time for us!
• Fine Art inspired learning
• New work on the math shelves!
• Love unit

Stay tuned!

Wednesday's Website

A LOVELY blog I recently discovered http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/. Speaks right to my heart. Warning...have a tissue box handy!

Montessori Monday

The Practical Life part of Montessori work is all about helping children to learn to do things for themselves, establishing a sense of independence. However, another important aspect of these types of activities are training the hand, with fine motor activities, to be able to write. Josh has not chosen work from this shelf in ages.

So, to spice things up a bit, I am working on developing new works that he "cannot resist"! The first of which is a super cool tea party set like this one. He is through the roof excited to use it and gives us a chance to practice manners, as well as pouring etc...


Please visit Koko's Mama at A Thousand Joys for more Montessori Monday!

Thrifty Thursday!

Found these great Montessori inspired videos at the thrift store for a dollar each. Here is a link if you are interested. This a great time of year for a quality video that encourages movement and independence. As the video states, "Little Kids Doing Big Things!"

Montessori Monday

Well, I do know the day, but for organization sake let's just go with it! Been a crazy week or so...

We are working on addition right now! Along with the traditional Montessori Addition works like the Addition Strip Board and Snake Game, I created a more traditional classroom work for Josh. Since we are planning on sending him to a traditional Kinder. I am easing him in Montessori style. The blue items in the dish are just the glass rocks you can find at any store in the garden area. I picked ours up at the thrift store. I then printed the adorable flash cards off from 1+1+1=1. (a great blog by the way! Especially for Momma's of toddlers!)
Here is a quick pic of the work set up. Have you all put together any new trays lately or done any cool Montessori inspired activities? Feel free to leave your link in the comment section and join Koko's Mama and I for Montessori Mondays!

Wednesday's Website

http://www.colormeonline.com/masterpiece/paintings/index.html


Not exactly sure how I plan to use these but thought I would share. They are coloring book style pages of famous masterpieces. It also provides a bit of information about each painting.

Wednesday's Website

http://www.squidoo.com/math-manipulatives

Check out all the really fun ways to create natural math manipulatives!

Ugh!

I guess I am taking a bit of a break! I am having a bit of a panic about sending Josh to Kindergarten. So I am re-researching and making appts. to visit and just generally making myself crazy!

I have some posts already scheduled but am not going to worry about anything new until I have settled down a bit...

Thanks for the understanding!

Shannon