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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Review - Magellan Montessori's Homeschooling Early Elementary (ages 6-9 years) by Miriam Coates, M. Ed.

 

You are probably aware of my interest in Montessori Theory and using it in my Homeschooling.  I have a M.A. in Early Childhood Education, but that only takes me through 3rd grade, and most of the Montessori studying I have done is for the Early Years (5 and under).  I have been looking for more guidance in the later years in regards to Montessori, but most of what I have found is geared towards those early years.  I have enrolled in courses, and try to model the Montessori method, as best as I can at home, for my younger children.  I have been at a loss for how to transition my now 6 year old.  I was really excited to receive information about this book in my email.  I contacted the author immediately and and am even more pleased that she allowed me to review it!

What is Montessori??  Montessori is a theory in regards to how children learn created by Maria Montessori.  What's so great about it??  Montessori is HANDS ON LEARNING, which is how children learn best (this fact is a BIG reason why I homeschool).  Montessori also teaches basic life skills, and allows children to have more control in their own education, they can go at their own pace, choose topics that interest them, etc..

Here is a great video that talk about Montessori

Magellan Montessori's Homeschooling Early Education, Coates gives a great overview of Montessori Theory, followed by a complete lesson by lesson break down by subject on presentations of Montessori Lessons.  A variety of links are given for suggestions of materials (some free, some at a cost, some downloadable, some tangible).  Authentic/traditional Montessori materials are suggested, as well as alternative materials (which is really nice b/c some Montessori materials can be pricey).

I wish the book had pictures of the tasks in action, but otherwise it's a total play by play for all you need to have an authentic Montessori experience in your homeschool.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in continuing with Montessori through Early Elementary school, but because the cost is quite the investment, you really need to be sure that Montessori is the route you want to take, and have a familiarity of Montessori, so you know what your getting into (not meant in a bad way).  Also keep in mind that additional materials will be needed (costs vary) to implement most of these tasks.

We are having good luck with our current program, so I won't be transitioning 100% to Montessori, but I do want to put into play several of the outlined tasks.

You can find the book on Amazon, but clicking on the picture at the top of this post.  It is an ebook, so you need either a Kindle device or you can download the Kindle app for free!!

Classical Music Studies

For the base of our studies we use Confessions of a Homeschooler:  World's Greatest Composers but, my kids are not really into lapbooking, so I have added a lot of my own stuff into our studies as well.  Erica's curriculum uses the Getting to Know series, which we love! (and are part of Amazon's 4 for 3 special)
 

Our all time favorite DVD is Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies  (there are several in the series, but the first is by FAR the best!)

In the book The Well-Trained Mind, a series of CD's are suggested, The Classical Kids series, which includes Beethoven Lives Upstairs.  I was very excited to find the Classical Kids app which has these CD's put with slideshow type pictures (cartoonish) and each one is about $6 (cheaper than buying the CD, unfortunately I had already bought 2 before I discovered this).  The Teacher Edition of the app has the Beethoven version for free.  But this is a great way to put visual and auditory learning together!

Classics for Kids is another great resource (you can also get them via podcast)

And I also searched the App Store for artists by name and found this free app for the Bach study we just finished.  If search by individual artist, you come up with several free or inexpensive apps.




Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Weekly Workboxes - Week 8 - Taste and Teeth


This week is the sense of taste and teeth! I got all of my printables  from the blog A Teaching Mommy's dental unit! This is a great blog with lots of free resources!!



Taste Testing - sugar, salt, lemon juice, cocoa powder

Books to read

This is a cute idea....teeth laminated, then I will mark on them with dry erase markers, and the boys will use toothbrushes to brush the spots off.

Writing Practice

One to one correspondence - T is for Tooth

Sorting Teeth by size (small, med, large) and sorting T and t

Stamping Letter Tt

Patterns

Letter T box

Counting and Clips

Also on the agenda ......
Making edible play dough (peanut butter, honey and powdered sugar)
Making elephant toothpaste
Playing with peppermint scented shaving cream (white foam cream scented with essential oil).

Apps that go with the theme......

See my Preschool Curriculum Pinterest board for more info and lots of other great ideas we plan to use this year!!



Linking up at Montessori Monday, Preschool Corner, Tot School and MORE!  (see right sidebar under Education related HOPS!!)

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