building a firm foundation

Concentration. A grand plan. A careful touch. The pleasure of being architect, structural engineer, and construction worker all at once. If you stick your tongue out a bit further, that precariously placed block will most certainly stay put. The young visionary learns all too quickly from an error in judgment, but the driving force of the grand plan leads him right back to the construction site to work up a plan B.

This morning, I was delighted to see that one of my students had placed a photo of the Petronas Twin Towers (once the tallest in the world) on his work rug. With a quick, I'm-on-a-mission gait, he went back and forth from the shelf to his rug, retrieving the pieces of the pink tower and the brown stair. This is the fruit of his labor:

Right on, little man - take an idea and run with it! I swear, my greatest epiphanies as a teacher come from the students themselves. Hats off to you, Diego, for the following idea, which could be used both in the home and the classroom.

Search high and low (and most likely in old issues of National Geographic) for excellent quality photos of architecture from around the world. Include photos of well-known landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Empire State Building, and the Pyramids. Don't forget to also include typical houses from around the world. Mount the photos on card stock, write a sentence or two about the building on the back, and laminate for durability. Keep the photos in a special folder titled "The Architect's Library of Inspiration" or something of the sort. Provide wooden blocks and a sturdy foundation.

I've put a good deal of thought into appropriate (and inappropriate) toys for young children. While I'll spare you a soapbox speech at the moment, one thing I can say for certain - if my own children have no store-bought toys other than quality wooden blocks (and a hefty selection of art supplies), I would say that they wouldn't be missing out on a darn thing. But then again, I'm one of those weirdos who has never owned a television and never will and who is planning on having nightly family jam sessions with my future children.

The word on the street is that these blocks are amazing. I'm also partial to the sets that are available from Michael Olaf's catalogue. We have the Roman Arch set in my classroom as part of the physics curriculum, and I'm personally envious of any child that has the deluxe wooden block set. How cool would that be?

To sum it up - provide blocks, and they will build.

Sensorial and Math Record Keeping

Diego's Rattlesnake with Red Tongue and Pink Rattle by Diego Alvarez

We often squeeze only a few drops out of the gargantuan, juicy orange that is the Montessori Material, especially when it comes to sensorial and math. For example, we often forget that arranging the 3rd Color Box as spokes around an object does not need to be the pinnacle of this box's illustrious career - Diego reminded me of this last week. Love the graded snake!

In the past two years of teaching, I've often been frustrated by my lack of memory regarding follow-up exercises and games. My record keeping system was also responsible for many a wrinkled brow. The problem was two-fold: First, I couldn't remember every possible exercise and game, and fishing through my anvil-weight albums during every lesson planning session was the pits. Second, my records for each child only allowed me to record the main presentation - there was no space to write down exercises and games. And what superhero can remember every little presentation given to each child in his or her classroom?

I think I've landed on a solution. My new system for record keeping has been downloaded at the Yahoo group, under "Files, Other, Record Keeping." For the moment, I've only uploaded the Sensorial and Math portions, but I'm currently working on the rest. That said, Sensorial and Math are probably the most universal Montessori areas, as they cross borders linguistically and tend to be very similar from school to school. (Whereas Practical Life might vary quite a bit, depending on your cultural context and the kind of materials the teacher has prepared.)

Please keep in mind that these files are based on my training as an AMI guide. Interspersed are tips given at the AMI mathematics refresher course that I took in February 2007, ideas from Maria Montessori herself as read in "Discovery of the Child," and a few ideas that are old AMI (1970's ish,) because that is when the women with whom I work in Mexico took their course. I say this because those of you who aren't AMI trained might open up the files and say to yourselves "Huh? What in the world does she mean by this?" For all I know, my fellow AMIers might have similar questions, because the lists are my "shorthand." The idea is to pass on the gist of it, and you can modify and fiddle with it to fit your own needs. In fact, this is the best way to go about it - sit down with your own albums, make a list of presentations, exercises, and games, and think about each sequence as you go about it. Then, fill out the individual child's record (Word Document) to correspond with your own list.

The record keeping is pretty self explanatory. Simply put a check next to the presentation given. These records will stay with the child throughout his years in the Children's House.

So, what are you waiting for? Why don't you mosey on over to the Yahoo group and see for yourself?

xo,
Meg

P.S. See the new banner in the side bar? It's something my husband has been working on at his organization, Just Foreign Policy. Reforming food aid is something that everyone can agree upon, regardless of political leanings. Click on it and check it out!

Geometry cabinet photo matching

right-angled scalene triangle

oval

circle

heptagon

My wonderful head of school, Adriana, recently put together a set of photo matching cards for the geometry cabinet. The idea is to have several photos of each geometric figure in the cabinet, so you can rotate them to keep it challenging. On a large rug, lay out the cards right-side down, with enough space beneath each row to accommodate the inset. Turn over the first card and go find the corresponding inset in the cabinet. Easy peasy. (Giving the presentation, at least!)

Along with the photos compiled by Adriana, I have been searching high and low on my favorite stock photo site and Flickr. I have made available to you all of the photo files I have found thus far. (Click on blue box.net "view my files" button in the side bar. They are in folders "Geometry Cabinet Matching Cards and Geo cab photos.) Consider it a base set ... I plan on adding to it whenever I see a nonagon, more decagons, etc. Another suggestion is to cut out photos from magazines when you happen upon that cherished nonagon!

Hope you and your children enjoy!

Meg

The "What's That For?" Cozy

Let's see if you can figure it out ... click on the pictures to enlarge them.



Do you have an idea yet? :) This is my new "Sensitizing the Fingers" Cozy! Hand - stitched with a double layer of wool felt, this will top my mini Japanese teapot, keeping the water warm throughout the day. The pot is filled with very warm water before the children arrive. The child pours out a tiny amount of water into an authentic tea cup. This tea cup will fit a child's fingers perfectly. No extra water is wasted!

Here's what you need to make the cozy:

1.) A teapot - any size will work.
2.) Kristin Nicholas's book, Colorful Stitchery. Here you will find easy instructions on embroidery and on making a wool teapot cozy. I had never embroidered before, and now I feel pretty competent. Embroidery is a very fun piece of cake. And what a great way to add some lovely detail to the classroom environment!

3.) Wool felt. Either make your own from wool sweaters, or buy it from Magic Cabin.
4.) Embroidery thread.

Have fun with it! And sign up for the swap!

Peace,
Meg

How to make a lined, drawstring bag

Thanks to Karla Norgaard for submitting this tutorial! Questions? Email Karla at knorgy(at)earthlink.net. To submit an idea/tutorial, email instructions and photos to montessorirevolution(at)gmail.com



This bag can be used for many different applications in the
classroom. This one is for a mystery bag. I also made a set of 4
smaller bags to hold fraction operations.

1. First decide what size you want your bag to be. I am making a
mystery bag for toddlers. My measurements are 9" wide by 9" tall. I
will also make a 3/4" casing for the drawstring and I will add 1 1/2"
above the drawstring for a gathered top. The total measurements for
my finished bag will be 9" x 11 1/4". (See diagram under "patterns" at the Yahoo group.)

2. Now we need to find the measurement for the raw fabric pieces. Add
1" to your width for seam allowances (10"). Double the height, then
add 1" for seam allowances (23 1/2"). My raw fabric will measure 10"
x 23 1/2".

3. Iron your fabric. Measure and mark the wrong side of the fabric
with a chalk pencil and ruler. Cut 2 pieces of fabric to your size.

4. Place your fabric with right sides together on a table or hard
surface. Measure 9 1/2" from a short end of the bag toward the
center. Mark fabric near the edge of the fabric. Repeat for the other
sides, for a total of 4 marks. (Note that 9 1/2" is the measurement
for my bag. You will mark your bag at 1/2" more than the height of
your bag.)

5. From each of the 4 marks you just made, measure and mark another
3/4" toward the center of the fabric. There will be a total of eight
marks. You will not be sewing in between these marks. I like to mark
with a pencil in between these marks to remind me not to sew in these
parts.

6. In the center of one of the short ends, mark a 4" space which you
will leave open for turning the bag right side out.

7. Pin all around the fabric.

8. Sew 1/2" seam all around except between the sets of marks. Make
sure to backstitch before and after each opening. There will be a
total of five spaces where you will not sew.

9. Trim the threads at each of the five openings. Clip the corners.

10. With the bag flat on an ironing board, turn the top flap of each
seam allowance toward the center of the bag and press. After all four
sides are pressed, flip the bag over and repeat.

11. Use the 4" opening to turn the bag right side out. Use a closed
pair of scissors to gently turn the corners.

12. Topstitch close to the edge of the side with the 4" opening.

13. Turn the topstitched seam into the bag until it reaches the
bottom of the bag.
14. Make sure the drawstring holes in the side seams line up. Pin in
place.
15. Stitch around the circumference of the bag from the top of one of
the drawstring openings to the other to create the drawstring casing.
Stitch back and forth several times at each opening to reinforce the
seam. Repeat for the bottom of the casing.


16. Cut 2 lengths of ribbon, each about 3 1/2 times the width of your
bag. Approximately 32" for my bag.

17. Attach a safety pin to the end of one ribbon and thread it
through both sides of the casing. Repeat for the second ribbon, this
time start threading from the opposite side of the bag. You will be
left with two lengths of ribbon hanging out of each side of the bag.

18. Burn the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying. Tie the ribbons
together. If your ribbon is thin enough (or your beads are big
enough) you can add a bead to each end before tying the ribbons
together.

19. Pull on both ribbons at once to close the bag.

Zakka Pouch = Geometric Solids Storage

Karla just posted a great tutorial on how to make a mystery bag out of a basket base. It just so happened that one of my favorite crafting blogs, www.whipup.net, posted a link to another tutorial for a similar item: the Zakka Pouch at Black Dog Designs. Black Dog posts instructions on how to make a pouch with a knitted base as well as with a basket.
This photo really caught my attention - wouldn't an oblong basket zakka pouch work wonders for the storage of the geometric solids? Especially with a really cool geometric fabric. Plus, you wouldn't need an extra scarf to play the "put-your-hand-in-and-tell-me-what-geometric-solid-you-feel" game, for lack of a better name.

So what is zakka? It's not the first time I've heard the term on the crafting blog circuit, so I checked it out on Wikipedia. Here's what they say:

"Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka' or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook."

I understand that zakka are small, useful items - the little details that make life easier and more interesting. Hmm ... seems to me like Montessori classrooms should be filled with zakka!

Anyway, check out Karla's tutorial and this zakka tutorial. You don't even need a sewing machine, and the crafty skill requirement is really minimal. Look for some snazzy fabric at Superbuzzy or Reprodepot, both of which carry lovely Japanese imports.

Mystery Bag Tutorial

Posted by Karla Norgaard: knorgy@earthlink.net

I found this pattern in an old sewing book at the library. I thought it would work well for a mystery bag or a pouch for something in the classroom. It works well because it can stand up on the shelf.

First measure the circumference of your basket. This + 1" will be the width of your fabric. The height of your fabric will be the height of the finished bag + 2 1/2".

Sew the side seam of the pouch with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Fold one end of the tube in toward the wrong side 1/2" and press. Use heavy duty thread doubled on the needle to sew the folded end of the fabric to the top of the basket.

Turn the fabric right side out and press the top edge down into the tube 1/2" and sew. Fold over 1" and press. Sew a seam close to the folded edge.

Stitch over the side seam near the top and bottom edge of the fold, going back and forth several times. Use a seam rippper to rip the side seam between the two stitches you just made.


Use a safety pin to thread a ribbon through the top of the bag. Tie the ends of the ribbon together and cut off the excess. You may need to burn the edges of the ribbon with a lighter to prevent them from unraveling.

Thermic Bottle Cozy

Posted by Meg
This little knitted cozy helps to extend the shelf life of the thermic bottles ... and helps you use your extra bits of yarn!
Materials:
Left over yarn, preferably natural fiber
4 double-pointed knitting needles, small
(I used US size 3)
Blunt-tipped needle for weaving in edges

Cast on 30 stitches using a long-tail cast-on. Divide evenly among 3 needles. Join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Knit in stockinette stitch until the cozy measures about 3 inches or desired length to fit the bottle. Bind off and weave in tails. I flipped mine "inside-out" so that more of the multi-colored poofs were visible. For instructions on how to knit using double-pointed needles, I recommend this tutorial by knitty.com.

Show the children how to remove the cozy from the bottle like so, touching the cap only and not the metal sides:Provide a basket where the cozies can be placed while the child is working with the material.