lexi Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 This year I want to do more hands-on activities with my littles. I though Montessori might be the way to go. What are the best resources for learning about this approach (web and book)? I wasn't planning on buying lots of fancy and expensive materials. More of a make-your-own Montessori and Totschool. I hoped to do themes each month to go along with what my oldest was learning. So, where should I go to get some simple ideas??? I don't want to spend hours scouring the web. I know about Totschool and was going to do some sensory tubs and trays. But I wanted some more ideas. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Check out this blog :) http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted December 31, 2011 Author Share Posted December 31, 2011 Awesome! Can she come live at my house??? How do you have time to put all the activities together?? I need to get more organized!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsrae Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 chasing cherrios is another great blog. Sorry I can't link...typing on my phone in the movie theater :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristinannie Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 My favorite Montessori type activity is the beans idea I got from someone on here. You get some funnels, different sized bowls, etc. You put it all in a large container with a lip (to prevent spillage) and let them dump and play with dried beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I got a lot of DIY tips from these two blogs: http://moosehuntress.blogspot.com/ http://www.monthome.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeganW Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 There is a book called "Tray Tasks" that is phenominal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 Thanks for the blog ideas and the book! I've bookmarked those to look at later. And yes, we do the bean thing too. My kids LOVE it! That's why I decided I needed to do more things like that! It's so wonderful for the 2-year-old and she feels like she participates in school when she has activities like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0452279097 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I bought an ebook about doing Montessori at home and I think it was totally worth it. It clarified some things that I've been wondering about Montessori and how to implement it at home. http://montessoriathomebook.com/ Hainstock's book (recommended above) is also great, and Barbara Curtis' books are also Montessori-based, as is the fascinating Bright from the Start (which is intended for under threes). And I'm personally about to buy out the Books/Montessori Resources section of the For Small Hands catalog: http://www.forsmallhands.com/books/montessori-resources You can also search Pinterest for lots and lots of Montessori-inspired trays. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 There is a book called "Tray Tasks" that is phenominal! Is this the one? I'm so tempted... Tray Tasking: Activities that Promote Reading and Writing Readiness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I bought an ebook about doing Montessori at home and I think it was totally worth it. It clarified some things that I've been wondering about Montessori and how to implement it at home. http://montessoriathomebook.com/ Hainstock's book (recommended above) is also great, and Barbara Curtis' books are also Montessori-based, as is the fascinating Bright from the Start (which is intended for under threes). And I'm personally about to buy out the Books/Montessori Resources section of the For Small Hands catalog: http://www.forsmallhands.com/books/montessori-resources You can also search Pinterest for lots and lots of Montessori-inspired trays. Good luck! Just to add, Kubiac's blog has a lot of good Montessori activities on it too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have a book called Montessori from Birth to Age 3 that I enjoyed. I got some helpful ideas- from actives to room layout from it. Also, I will regularly check blogs for fun ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 This is not exactly on-topic for the OP, I think, but I have to say I've enjoyed some of the manuals available at MontessoriRd. We are still using the geography for ages 3-6 with Button. I think the science and social science manuals can be very useful, and easily adapted to home instruction, and I've just loved using them. Two purchases that didn't pan out so well: the biology manual for 9-12 (not really lessons, mainly lots of info on organisms -- maybe Button will love working through it when he's that age?) and the infant pedagogy manuals, which did not seem straightforward to apply to the home. Here's another source of manuals, different and more expensive, which I've not tried myself; and I've thought about incorporating these Montessori curricula plans when Bot-bot's older. -- it took me a while to find manuals that were available to, and helpful for, a homeschooling mama! If you ever want something systematic, you might like them. FWIW: I completely understand that the Montessori materials are not the method, but the method didn't work for Button; and the materials have adapted themselves very well to my classical aims ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX Pilgrim Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Montessori mom also has lots of ideas and resources - she even has a "toddler scope and sequence" http://montessorimom.com/toddler-scope-and-sequence-lesson-ideas-practical-/. She focuses here on real life skills you should try and take time to teach in addition to the "tray" activities. http://montessorimom.com/practical-life/ I spent last year as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school and I LOVE what practical life brings to young children. The main thing is to think about how you can help them "do it themselves". All of the kids' favorite activity last year was dish washing - glass plates and cups - they were more of the 3 - 5 year old range though. I actually want to do more of this myself for my 2 year old and hadn't seen the "tray book". I look forward to checking that out. Missy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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