Number Cups: Counting Dinosaurs

I was reminded of this activity that I have on the shelves that I haven't shared yet by this Montessori Monday post written by Deb at Living Montessori Now. Deb shares how she used Dinosaur Toobs in all sorts of inspired Montessori activities.

I didn't use the Dinosaur Toobs for this, because I have them on the shelf being used for other activities. Deb is hosting a giveaway for the Dinosaur Toobs and if you don't already have them, I highly recommend you get them if you happen to have a Dinosaur Lover in your life. I simply brought packages of Dinosaurs from the Dollar Store and placed them in our counting cups.

       I placed number stickers on the outside of the cups.

I added in counting strips that I downloaded from Playful Learning where I got the idea from for this work. The strip helps the child with one to one correspondence as well as putting all of the dinosaurs back into the correct jars while working on number recognition.

 I have the number cups for numbers 1-10 in baskets. Sometimes the children like to stack the cups in number order too:)

The children are really engaged in this work, they love to count dinosaurs. I am linking this post to Montessori Monday                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A Practical Life Fun Challenge

We have a new practical life work that has been getting a lot of attention. The kids have been whisking away making bubbles. They definitely worked hard with the whisk and have graduated to making bubbles with a hand held mixer.

 This mixer presents a fun challenge to them. It requires using both of their hands and getting a wrist workout.

 They are having so much fun making bubbles and have been very successful.

This is how I have it set up on the tray.

I found this mixer at a garage sale this past summer.

                                                                           

A Sneak Peek

 The kids here have been very straight forward in telling and showing me what their interest are. Just when an older child walked away Maddux took a sneak peak. Look at him, a natural microbiologist as he turns the focus wheel. He loves what he saw!! I gotcha Maddux!! Stay tuned.                                                            

Preschool Prehistory

The kids here have enjoyed our circle time activities immensely. They have learned to identify important history concepts such as What is today? What was yesterday? and What day will it be tomorrow?  Also they have been paying close attention to what the older students have been doing with their Time Line of Life activities. I thought it would be fitting to add some Dinosaur fun to their day.

Here are a few activities that I added to the classroom to jump start this interesting time in history.

You have to start out with a good book right? When I saw the new 20th Anniversary of Dinosaurs Before Dark in full color I knew I had to introduce them to the Magic Tree House books. They are going to love it, the pictures are fantastic! The chapters are short and sweet.

 Our Dinosaur Dig. Individually they will dig out the skeleton of a T-Rex and together we will put the bones together to build it.

 Adding some science in and review of solids, liquids, and gases they will erupt volcanoes with vinegar and baking powder and match dinosaurs.

 Weighing rocks. The scale isn't heavy at all, they will still be able to work on a mat or table and discover some amazing rocks along the way.

 I plan to reintroduce the Baric Tablets, just maybe with weighing rocks they might become interested in this material again.

If everyone brings in their pictures this week we will also make personal time lines. I think we are going to have some fun with this. I'll be sure to post any new work we add to our studies. By the way this is my 500th post!! I am glad that I have continued this journal of our classroom fun.

I am linking this post to Montessori Monday.                                                               

                                                                             

To The Pumpkin Patch

Every year we visit the Pumpkin Patch and this year was no exception.

Before we visit the children explore and learn about pumpkins and Fall, through crafts.

 Hands on fun are a must. Good books too!!

It was very chilly visiting the Pumpkin Patch.

 The weather didn't stop them from enjoying a good old fashion hayride and picking a pumpkin of their own.
                                                                   

 After the hayride they were given the choice to paint their pumpkin or make necklaces. They all chose that popular practical life work, making necklaces:)                                                                                  
                                                                       

If You Can't Beat Them.......

then you must join them!!

This is just my observation with the children that I observe. I am not challenging any philosophies I am just sharing:) Since I am a home based preschool it sometimes is a challenge to offer Montessori inspired activities. Some challenges I face are children coming while some children are leaving. Some children actually spend all of their daylight hours with me. Parents are always wanting some sort of educational experience for their children. Unfortunately, most are herebecause their parents work. The parent's main focus sometimes has to be can I care for the child during set hours, which are not always traditional hours for school time. I have to be be able to bend the rules a little!! A child who has been here all day, really doesn't want to do the traditional Montessori activities all day. I can, but they can't. I have been slowly following the child in thinking out of the box. Which leads me to bending the rules:)

Maddux everyday wants to hang up his coat, because he loves order. He sees all of the other coats neatly hung, and he wants to follow along.

 Maddux is now successful with this task after being shown how. Boy,did he practice!!

He did not like the traditional way of showing a child how to hang up their coat and he definitely didn't like standing at the coat rack doing this work. I used Maddux's love for Firefighters and created a successful work for him 

 There are hooks lower, but Maddux is challenging himself with this work now.

    He has turned the Firefighter jacket into a dressing frame. Mastering those clasp!!                                                                        

 I am not endorsing dress up in a Montessori setting, I am just sharing what has worked for Maddux.                                                                        
                                                                          
                                                          

Meet Avi

                Welcome Avi!!

 As soon as another child put the scissor work back on the shelf.  Avi made a mad dash to retrieve it. She really wasn't paying attention to my presentation, just determined to get those scissors in her hand!! I asked an older child to sit with her and cut alongside her. Avi liked this idea and had fun getting to know another friend that she wouldn't let out of her sight for the rest of the day. Avi is two years old. Today was her first day and she fit right in. Looking forward to getting to know you Avi.