A touch of Montessori

The preschool that i teach at uses the Creative Curriculum method of teaching but the great thing about our center is that we are allowed to use methods from a variety of preschools. During the 2011 school year we had been doing some Montessori activities with our children, but not in the exact same way, as they do it in a tradition Montessori school. We usually set out the activities for them, but this year i am going to include some Montessori trays in our fine motor center that the children will be able to choose as they please and put back when finished. I'm excited to see how the children react. I truely believe that being able to pull ideas from a variety of curriculum methods is the best way for both children and teachers to be successful.

Here are some of the trays i have made so far

Pencil sharpening

The children in my class absolutely love colored pencils and, i have to admit, i get tired of sharpening them over and over again. So i made thise Montessori tray so that my preschoolers can do it themselves.

Locks and keys

I'm not sure if my preschoolers will be able to lock and unlock, but i know they will LOVE trying, and i'm sure with enough practice they will figure it out.

Pouring

Although we do pouring activities throughout our center, it has never been set up for an idividual child like this. I didn't have a small sponge on hand, but there will be one added to the tray for spills.

Assembly

The object of this tray activity is to see if the children can correctly put the pieces of the flashlight together in order to turn it on! This flashlight has 2 batteries and a screw top...the screw top is the hardest part.

The other trays i'm making are:

Beading - Beads and pipe cleaners

Scooping - Small scoopers and navy beans

Transfering - Eye droppers, colored water and ice cube trays

Claming - Muffin tin, small wooden colored cubes and child sized tongs

Hole punching - Variiety of shaped hole punchers and paper

I also plan to add a clothesline with clothes pins, socks, and child sized clothing for hanging