Montessori Method

Kelsey GirardotJennifer CramerAimee WilsonJessica GiecheKaitlyn Smith

Cary Link

What is the Montessori method?

• Natural development• Creativity• Problem solving• Critical thinking• Time management• Uninterrupted concentration• Children in touch with environment

Montessori triangle

StudentParent/TeacherEnvironment

Maria Montessori

Montessori

Materials

"All the apparatus must be meticulously in order, beautiful and shiny, in perfect condition. Nothing must be missing, so that to the child it always seems new, complete and ready for use.“

– Maria Montessori

Important to be sure materials are truly Montessori

International committee oversees production of materials used in AMI schools

Everything has a purpose

“grow” with the child

Self-correcting Made of materials

such as wood, wicker, fabric, or metal

Practical Life Caring for self, others, and the

environment Learn every day skills such as pouring,

scooping, cleaning, or tying Increase self-esteem and independence Fine motor skill development Learning through trial and error

Practical Life Materials

transferring

pouringwashing

dressing

Sensorial Explore world through their senses Explore size, texture, color, weight,

sound, and smell. Allows for individual work and repetition Prepare for later math and language

Sensorial Materials

smooth and rough boards

pink tower

knobless cylinders

thermic tablets

Geometric solids

binomial cube

Mathematics Understanding of numbers and number

relations Abstract concepts Every material is one concept that

prepares for the next Practical life and sensorial materials

prepare for math

Math Materials

number rods sandpaper numerals

golden beads

hundred board

bead material

Addition snake game

Language 1. phonics 2. letter recognition 3. book

reading Learn the shape and order of letters

through exploration Learn vocabulary for their environment Learn to hold a writing instrument as

well as the art of writing

Language Materials

Sandpaper letters

Moveable alphabet

Writing insets

First chart and box

Reading cards

Grammar symbols

Culture and Geography Promotes an understanding of the

physical world Understanding that the earth and

environment are shared with other people and cultures

Culture and Geography Materials

Who am I? Animal cards

globe

Puzzle map

Music Enhances

understanding in all other subject areas

Learn rhythmic sounds

Promotes creativity

Fine motor skills

Sources (2012). In Montessori Services . Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://

www.montessoriservices.com Manufacturers of AMI Approved Materials (n.d.). In Association Montessori

Internationale. Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://www.montessori-ami.org/ Montessori Learning Materials (2011). In American Montessori Society.

Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://www.amshq.org/Montessori%20Education/Introduction%20to%20Montessori/Montessori%20Learning%20Materials.aspx

Montessori Materials (2008). In Northwest Montessori School. Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://www.northwestmontessori.org/submain.php?category=faqs&subnav=materials

Montessori Materials (n.d.). In Family Montessori Preschool of Loyola. Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://www.fmployola.com/materials3.htm

Montessori Materials and Learning Environments (2011). In The International Montessori Index. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://www.montessori.edu/prod.html

Program (n.d.). In Wesgami Montessori School. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://wmontessori.com/program/

The Environment (n.d.). In Montessori St. Nicholas Charity. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://www.montessori.org.uk/what_is_montessori/the_environment

Montessori Water Activities

Can relate to:•Practical life• Pouring• When to stop/knowing a glass is full

•Math and measurement•Science• What happens when soap or food coloring is added?

Purpose Develop

Motor skills Concentration Eye-hand coordination

MaterialsDoes not require a $200+ water/sand table If you know someone handy, instructions to

constructwww.montessorimaterials.org/sensorial/MontessoriWaterTable.pdf

Household Materials Basin, shallow or deep Beads Sponges Ping pong balls Whisk Ladle Strainer Glasses Measuring cup

Activities Mix beads with water, practice pouring through

drainer so that beads are separated from water Whisk- can add soap Spooning floating objects Pouring Water with sponges and wringing out

Pouring and Spooning

Pouring back and forth• Enhances control and coordination• Independence• Self help skills• Learn ways to clean up

Spooning• Concentration• Coordination• Motor skills• Eye-hand coordination

Practical Life Station• Practice pouring water from pitcher into cups.

• Practice using the line on the cups.

• Practice pouring water from cup to cup/pitcher to pitcher.

• Use rags provided to clean up spills.

• Practice spooning rice and corn. (Either just spooning them up or placing into other bowl)

• Think about how this helps with coordination and concentration. Can you do the task if you are not concentrating?

The Montessori ApproachUsing sensory materials in the classroom

Our Sensory Centers…..

Sound Boxes Shake the boxes and

listen to the sounds they make.

Match the sounds and place them as a pair on the tray

Check your answers by flipping over the boxes to match the colors.

Texture Feeling Explore the textures of

the materials How do they feel? What could they be used

for? Do any feel the same?

Match them! Classify or order them by

texture or color. Try using a blindfold to

match the textures.

What is the benefit?

Sound Boxes Increases ability to

recognize and compare sounds

Promotes self confidence and independence

Requires focus and concentration

Texture Feeling teaches students to

identify and compare textures

Increases vocabulary used to describe what they feel (rough, smooth)

The Montessori Approach to Snack Time

The Basics of Snack Time• Can be eaten at any time of the

day• Have a space for children to

prepare it• Use real materials• Children serve and clean up

Students Learn To…• See themselves

as a member of the group

• Move carefully• Focus• Complete

sequential steps

• Concentrate• Make intelligent

choices• Persevere• Gain a better

understanding of real life materials

At Our Snack Center…• Work with the other students at the center to

prepare a snack. Help each other set the table, cut the apples, and pour the drink.

• Think about how this experience enriches a child’s understanding of food & food preparation.

• Don‘t forget to wash your dishes when • you’re finished!

The Montessori ApproachGuide to using clay in the classroom

Why Clay? Helps children develop control and

coordination through handling Helps develop fine motor skills and

muscles Pre-Cursor for developing skills for

cutting. Develops appropriate hand and finger control and builds appropriate hand muscles

Children learn that every material has a purpose, and are able to explore that material within a controlled environment."It was not the method which produced the great changes in the children, so much as it was the great changes in the children which produced the method." —Maria Montessori

“Working Freely Within Limits”

Children determine a goal or objective for working with the material

Children explore and create while building fine motor muscle control

Teacher provides clay materials and environment necessary for children to obtain their goal.

Create an animal or bug observed

Learn geographic structures through creating model geographic land plots

Creating and exploring shapes

Possible ActivitiesMontessori approach to clay use at home and in the classroom

At our Clay Center…Look at the pictures of different animals (in a real Montessori classroom, we would have actual bugs instead of pictures).

Then learn through creating!

This demonstrates use of a science lesson learning about bugs through Montessori approach

Montessori at HomeCarly’s Part

Montessori in the Home

• Independence• Self-help• Transitions• Working while playing• Interests

Furniture• Best if child-sized• Chairs where feet

can touch the floor• Shelves in every

room• Low bed at child’s

height

Meals• Allow child to partake

in preparation• Real utensils and

plates• Pour, stir, mix• Set table• Clean dishes

Snacks

• Have a cupboard or drawer

• Spot in the fridge• Easily accessible

NAP/choices• Allow child to choose when to

nap• Allow child to make own

decisions• Give options

Toys/Books• Easily accessible• Organized• Baskets, trays, shelves, books shelf• Neat and not crowded

Art• Q-tips, cotton

balls, tissue paper

• Crayons, colored pencils, markers

• Paint, paint brushes

• Paper

Practical Life• Dishes, beans, rice, silverware• Button, zip, lacing boards• Shoe polishing, ironing• Soap and water for washing

Sources Montessori Info: http://www.sunrisemontessori.com/montessori_in_the_home.htm Girl with dishes image: http://mommylife.net/archives/2007/04/montessori_at_h_12.

html Child sized table and chairs image: http://kidstableandchairset.net/ Silverware imagehttp

://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/6051621/2/stock-photo-6051621-silverware-set.jpg

Snack cupboard image: http://familyfanatic.blogspot.com/2010/07/snack-cupboard.html

Napping boy image:http://stealsanddealsforkids.com/category/articles-of-interest/page/2/

Toys on shelf image: http://planningwithkids.com/2008/06/19/rotating-the-childrens-toys/

Finger painting girl image: http://www.inhabitots.com/eco-friendly-art-supplies-for-mini-finger-painters/

Boy scoop image: http://www.ourmontessorihome.com/2010/10/what-is-practical-life/ Montessori in the Home:

http://www.ourmontessorihome.com/2010/10/what-is-practical-life/