Taking Over a New Class

This year I have changed classrooms and responsibilities.  I moved from my safe little classroom to take over for some teachers who left our school.  It is my job to make this classroom successful.  I am in the Spanish dual language program classroom now.  It is a mixture of children from several classrooms, but there is a core group of children who were there last year.  These children have really needed retraining this year.  About 80% of them are boys.  I have spent a lot of time during the first 3 weeks of school observing all of the children, becoming emotionally available and a confidant, creating structure in the classroom, following through again and again with ground rules, and setting the stage for correct treatment of the environment and each other.  It is tiring work to be sure, but sticking to the difficult work at the beginning of the year really pays off.

For the first two weeks I pulled out over 25 different manipulative works and had several shelves dedicated to them just to give myself a pulse on the room and where the children were.  They used these works with gusto.  It has really helped to have only manipulatives in retraining the children to become careful with their work, return the work ready for another child to use, walk around and not through rugs, walk in the classroom in the first place, respect when a child has already chosen a work and not to disturb them etc.  This is certainly an ongoing process.  It seems like it can take an entire year for some of the younger children not to walk on their neighbor's rug if something grabs their attention.

During the third week I noticed that the older children were bored with the manipulatives so I began giving lessons.  Some of the record keeping was spotty so I had to test out to see where they really were in the different areas.  On Thursday, this week (being the 4th week of school), we noticed that it was 2 hours into our work time before any child chose a manipulative work.  YIPEE!  I only have one shelf of manipulatives now, and only the ones that the children find the most interesting.

These are some images from our last week of work.

Exploration of Metal Insets by a returning student

Mouse House turned into a Spanish Work.  Es el raton debajo de la casa anaranjado?

Hanging Bead Stair

Writing Words using the Large Moveable Alphabet

Initial Sound Object Sort - This is the Pink Mat
I am so excited to have these new mats.  I handmade the set I
have been using and just got these new ones this week.

Gluing noodles on apples work.  Next week we will paint these works.
This allows the work to be done in more than one step but still follow
the Montessori rule that art should be a shelf work.

Parts of the Plant Nomenclature Cards.  This child completed this work
 beautifully and could even tell me every part of the plant and later the
Fruit.  He then made the booklets for each work.

Rainbow Rings.  My children LOVE this work.  It is actually
Wine Glass Markers that I found at a kitchen store in Park City.

Using Clay Lesson.  You can see how the little one is using
his "watching arms" during this presentation.

Parts of the Snail Puzzle.  We wouldn't usually have this work
out right now, but this child found a snail in the school
garden and was really interested so I pulled it out.

Weaving with ribbons

Parts of the Flower Puzzle

Parts of the Fruit Nomenclature Cards and Magnetic Parts Puzzle 

Baby Spooning Stars.  This work is pretty challenging for this child.
She has been with me since last year and has needed this long to
be ready for this work.

Sandpaper Letters with Initial Sound Booklets.
This child was successful at all the letters in the first
set and was subsequently hiding them in the
classroom to then find them again.

Hand Transferring.  I just have to say how much I love the
elliptical shape of these wooden bowls.  There are mung beans
inside.  They sound just like rain when they hit the
wood.  Many times the child will remark about this when
they first have this lesson.

Object to Object Sorting with two Space Toobs.  Because I
have so many boys I have geared some of the Pre-reading
works to pull them in.  We are also beginning the year by
learning about our place in the universe.

The Farm Mat - a grammar work.  I made this mat as well.

Geometric Solids Nomenclature Cards

These nomenclature cards are for use with the Geometric Solids.  I have included both print and D'nealian fonts.

Geometric Solids Nomenclature Cards
click on picture to link to file

Geometric Solids Nomenclature Cards D'nealian
click on picture to link to file

Math Sentences for Beginners

During the break I wanted to put together some easy oral math sentences that I could read during circle times.  I will be pulling out counters, the colored bead stairs, objects etc. to do these, and getting help from time to time.

I have made sentences that will be applicable to the following:

• The African Savannah
• The Pond
• The Garden
• The Woods
• The Arctic
• The Antarctic
• The Rainforest

I am going to try these out and give you feedback.  I think the children will love them.  I would LOVE to hear your feedback on these.  If they are a hit I will make more.  You can download a set of these math sentences by clicking on the picture.

Beginning Math Sentences
click on picture to link to file

 

Shape Matching Cards

Wow!  the beginning of the school year has really had me so busy.   I have also taken on more responsibilities in my neighborhood and church congregation.  I have had almost not time to write or create.  I found this set of cards that I was working on a while ago but never did get finished with.  I want to use them in my classroom and to share them with you as well.

Shape Matching Cards

These cards include the following shapes:

• circle
• ellipse
• oval
• quatrefoil
• curvilinear triangle
• square
• rectangle
• triangle
• trapezoid
• pentagon
• octagon
• heart
• star

I will get a control chart together and put it up here as soon as it is finished.

Colored Bead Stair Matching Cards

I am always on the lookout for new things that will engage the children in learning the basic materials.  I also am looking for things that can grow with the children and become more advanced as they do.  I hope that this new set will help to serve this purpose with the colored bead stair.  I like them better than regular nomenclature cards.  I will keep you updated how they are received as this next year gets underway.

Colored Bead Stair Matching Cards
click on picture to link to file

The younger child can match the colored bead stair to the colored number name and the colored number.  As the child becomes more advanced he or she can use the black and white version.

In order to make this work:

• Print off two sets of each sheet
• Cut one set or cards into three parts - 1st part is the bead, 2nd part is the colored, or black, name, 3rd part is the colored, or black, number
• Leave the second set of cards whole to become the control cards
• On the black and white set, place corresponding colored dots on the back of the cards to use as a control of error
• Laminate the cards for durability
• Place each set in an attractive basket or tray next to the Colored Bead Stairs on a shelf (you could choose to put on a tray with one set of the Colored Bead Stair)

I would love to hear how these are received by you and yours

Mushroom Matching Numbers Game

I found this great little numbers matching game on the Little Acorns blog.  I had to make it, and I am so glad that I did.  It didn't end up being the least expensive project, but it WAS worth the expenditure.  When I made them myself I decided that I wanted to make it more of a tactile experience for the children.

I made a matching pair of each number from 1 - 10.  It can be difficult for children to get it right when counting little dots, but the raised nature of the dots does seem to make a difference.  Not only that, but it seems to be pleasing to their little fingertips. The control of error is the numbers printed on the underside of each mushroom.  The child counts the dots on the top of the mushroom and then turns it over to see if they were correct.  Pairs are set together.

Mushroom Matching Numbers Activity in a basket

For the mushrooms I used 20 unfinished wooden doorknobs.   I painted them red and white with glossy acrylic paint using a sponge brush.  When they were dry - I added the dots with white puffy paint made for fabric.


I wanted to find something that would make the experience even better, so I found some Soft & Comfy fabric in lime green.  I sewed a little double sided 'grass' for the bottom of the woven basket (using iron on stabilizer to make it more stiff).

The raised dots on the mushrooms are made with white puffy paint for fabric 

The control of error is the numbers printed on the underside of each mushroom

I also made these cards to go along with this exercise.  There is enough room on each card for the pair to sit.  Some children will really benefit from the use of these cards.

Mushroom Number Matching Cards
click on picture to link to file

 

Clothespin Number Match - Bees

This companion to the Ladybug Number Match is very cute as well.  There are 0 - 10 bees on each card and five numbers to choose from on the bottom of each card.  The child uses a clothespin to match the number to the quantity of bees.

Bee Clothespin Number Matching Game
click on picture to link to file

 

I found miniature clothespins to use that do not cover up the number.  The child is working on their pincer grip at the same time as honing their number skills.

This is the work all ready to go in a basket

Ladybug Number Matching Game - Clothespins

This little exercise is cute and fun.  Each ladybug has a certain number of dots from 0-10.  I supply clothespins in a small cup and the cards in a basket on a tray.  The file includes instructions for putting this work together.  I use plain clothespins for this exercise.  I have other exercises that match numbers to numbered clothespins.

Ladybug Clothespin Number Matching Game
click on picture to link to file

 Here is the completed work in a basket ready to go.

Colored Bead Stair Extension Exercise Worksheets

These files are great extension exercises for keeping children interested in working with the colored bead stairs.  A little later I will post the making ten files.  I have made files for both hanging beads and beads set out on a mat.  You will probably find it very useful to have the child set up the colored beads when using these exercises.  They could actually be used independent of bead materials.

Before introducing these worksheets, I like to give the child the chance to color the bead stair without any numbers.  You can find that activity here.

Each file comes with an explanation of what is included and how to use it.

Hanging Colored Bead Stair Extension Exercise Worksheets
click on picture to link to file

Colored Bead Stair Extension Exercise Worksheets
click on picture to link to file

  

Letter Wall Cards - Upper & Lowercase Letters and Numbers

Now, while these are called wall cards, I have used them for ever so many things.

Children who are becoming aware of letter sounds, or later with letter names, love to play the game where I have a pile and they have a pile.  I will hold up a letter and if they know the sound/name they tell me.  If they tell me the sound/name, I will then give that letter to the child.  What they cannot remember I will put into my pile.  When the game is finished I will give them a chance to get more letters in their pile by another go round of the game.  Sometimes children are finished after one time through and sometimes they want to play until they have ALL off the letters in their pile.  I also use this game for the numbers.

Some days I have several of these letters or numbers taped to the wall, or hiding somewhere in the room.  While sitting at the rug, I will send off children to find a letter sound/name or a number and bring it back to me.  The fun part is when the all the letters or numbers have been brought to me I will send them back out to hide them again until later.  I begin with only one type of card, such as only lowercase, and build up to using all three at one time for this game.

These are great for a sandpaper letter matching game, or for building a VERY LONG alphabet.  It really does take up a lot of space.  If a child chooses to build the very long alphabet, I will invite the child step back and look when their work is finished so they can appreciate how very long it is.

Click on the pictures to go to the files.

Lowercase Letter Wall Cards
click on picture to link to the file

Uppercase Letter Wall Cards
CORRECTED - Now includes 'D' & 'Y'click on picture to link to the file

Number Wall Cards
click on picture to link to the file

  

Number Rod Pasting Activity

This activity is the exact size of the table top number rods.  This is a great transition exercise between the large number rods and the table top number rods.  The child should set up the number rods and the cards for reference as they do this work.  You may find it helpful to also set up the table top number rods along side with the larger version.

Even if you only own one of the number rod sets, this is a valuable and enjoyable exercise.  I have had children who really enjoyed doing this work multiple times.  Sometimes what they are really working on is cutting control since the control of error while cutting out the blue and red of the rods is so great.

Number Rod Pasting Activity
click on picture to link to the file

  

Colored Bead Stair Coloring Activity

After the initial presentations with the colored bead stair I will bring out this extension exercise for the child.  As is true with many coloring or building exercises, many children may only choose to work on one or two colors at a setting.  There are four bead stairs on each page, and they will need to be cut into fourths.

Presentation: 

• bring the colored bead stair to the rug or table
• build the colored bead stair
• the adult says, "This is the colored bead stair coloring activity.  Can you say colored bead stair coloring activity?"
• the adult says, "I am choosing to color the number ___, what color is the number ___?"
• the adult says,  "What color do I need to choose?"
• the adult goes to the colored pencils and returns with the correct color
• the adult says, "Is this the correct color?"
• the adult proceeds to carefully color in all the 'beads' of that number on the page
• the adult says, "When I am finished coloring the number ___, I will choose another number to color."
• The adult returns all parts of this work to the shelf and invites the child to do this work

Click on the picture to go to the file.

Colored Bead Stair Coloring Extension Exercise
click on picture to link to the file

 

Cards and Counters Coloring Extension Exercise

This set of work is not a one day process for most children.  Many children who choose to do this work will appreciate having the opportunity to complete one or two numbers at a sitting.

Presentation:

• the adult sets up a chosen number card and corresponding counter(s) and brings a colored pencil of choice to the rug or table (it is best to choose one of the lower numbers for presentation)
• the adult models carefully coloring in the corresponding counter(s) on their own sheet
• the adult says, "When I do this work, I will only color in the counter(s) that match the card and counter(s) I have chosen."
• the adult says, "When I have finished coloring this number card and counter(s) I will put them all away and get a new number card and counters."
• the adult returns all parts of this work to the shelf and invites the child to do this work

Cards and Counters Coloring Extension Exercise
click on picture to link to the file

 

Cards and Counters Extension Exercise

These cards can be used in conjunction with the traditional Montessori Materials, or even in lieu of them.   After the initial presentations with the cards and counters, the children in my classroom also really love using them as an extension exercise with the pictured stacking counters.  They LOVE to build the number and then to say, "That's ODD (with the greatest emphasis), my finger got stuck." or "Wow, my finger EVEN (again with great emphasis) went through!".  There are limitless ways to use these cards.  Anything small enough, and in large enough quantities, can be a counter.  Pumpkins or apples for fall.  Stars or snowflakes for winter.  Flowers or planets or bug erasers.  I hope you can begin to see how children could stay engaged in this work over the course of the year.

Cards and Counters Extension Exercise
click on picture to link to the file

 

Stacking Counters
clicking on picture will take you to a possible ordering site