Calling all montessori homeschoolers!

[mamamelia]

just wanted to start up a thread for all us montessori inspired homeschoolers. a place where we can offer support, suggest ideas and swap info on everything that has do with montessori in the home. and hopefully, have a few laughs along the way!

anyone can join - even those aspiring to be montessori homeschoolers but haven't quite gotten there yet. start by posting a bit about yourself and how you plan to homeschool montessori style.

i'll go first..

my dd was attending a lovely montessori school but we had to pull her out due to the distance. i was travelling for roughly 4 hours everyday in public transport and my youngest had really had enough towards the 3rd week of travelling. i am currently in the process of coming up with a rough timetable of daily events as well as a huge list of excursions or extra activities that can be done that are montessori inspired. i'd be happy to share my ideas with anyone if they are interested, just let me know.

hoping there are more of you out there!

[splotchy1]

I will be homeschooling DS (almost5) starting in the fall. He has Asperger's, and I know the Montessori environment and system would work well for him. I was a teacher's aide in a Montessori school for years, and so- though I wasn't formally trained, I feel like I have enough knowledge to do this at home.

I looked into Montessori schools around here. Found one I loved, but then googled the names of the owners and didn't like what came up. So, crossed that school off the list. The only other one around is booked, crowded, and too far of a drive for us. Plus, it only goes through grade 3- so we'd still end up homeschooling in the long run. Why not start from K?!

We are moving in May to a house with an extra very open living room with great light. I will turn that into our classroom and set it up with shelves, activities, etc...making it like a mini-classroom. I'm starting to make materials, collect things, figure out what I want to buy vs. make at this point. I also have an almost 2 year old, so will be setting it up to include her as well.
Look forward to hearing from others!

[Mountain Diva]

I'm certified in AMI Primary and homeschooling my two, now 4 and 6. If you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to help.
I have a classroom set up, and we do class 8:30-11:30, uninterrupted, (snack is set up for easy independent access) and we flow outdoors in better weather.
I choose to go year round because we take time off at un-busy times for travel, skiing, camping, etc.
Best of luck to you, it is an adventure.

[splotchy1]

Mountain Diva- I have a question for you? Since my son is only a year or so behind yours, I'd love your input. I am in the process of setting up a classroom area in our home. However, I'm having a hard time deciding what materials I absolutely need in the areas of math and language. I know that in an ideal world, I wouldn't have to choose. I'm also willing to make things myself. For a child who is at the point of trying to sound out words, and who can do single digit addition and can count to 30- what materials do you think are critical? My challenge comes in looking at bead material and realizing that there are so many sets and activities that seem to overlap. If I were to just get the full bead set in the cabinet, and a solid set of golden bead materials- would I be able to use them for most any activity we would need in math? Language materials at least aren't as expensive.
Thanks for any input!

[Mountain Diva]

Originally Posted by splotchy1

Mountain Diva- I have a question for you? Since my son is only a year or so behind yours, I'd love your input. I am in the process of setting up a classroom area in our home. However, I'm having a hard time deciding what materials I absolutely need in the areas of math and language. I know that in an ideal world, I wouldn't have to choose. I'm also willing to make things myself. For a child who is at the point of trying to sound out words, and who can do single digit addition and can count to 30- what materials do you think are critical? My challenge comes in looking at bead material and realizing that there are so many sets and activities that seem to overlap. If I were to just get the full bead set in the cabinet, and a solid set of golden bead materials- would I be able to use them for most any activity we would need in math? Language materials at least aren't as expensive.
Thanks for any input!

Hello, I hope I can help. First, I must admit the full benefit of a Montessori education is difficult to achieve at home, especially with one child. Just this morning I had to deal with one child who wanted to work and one that didn't, and I thought to myself, "If only there were 28 other children here, he'd feel like getting involved in the materials then."
That said, there are still ways to get some of it. I am homeschooling by default, no AMI school in my area, as well as due to a perhaps unreasonable fear of leaving my children in the care of others ... but that's off topic.
As for Math, yes they do overlap, but for a reason. Think of it like a beam of light in reverse: you start with the symbols and the amounts, the general concept of the functions, then you hone it down more and more.
I use number rods and cards - homemade, DH is a carpenter. Cards and counters; the 100 chain, and made its tickets; a complete set of Bank Game beads ands cards - essential for learning the functions, and categories (10s, 100s, etc); and now he has moved on to Strip Boards - add and subtr. I take any and every opportunity to count out loud with both children, to point out the symbolic representation of a number, and include functions ("There are 2 snowmobiles on the trailer, and 1 in the snow, How many snowmobiles are there all together?")
For language, I personally feel the Movable Alphabet is essential. Because they can make words before having to master the pencil skills. Develop the pencil skills with Metal Insets. After that, I just grab household items that are short phonetic words, (hat, cup, etc.) and have laminated lables for them, we are working on his writing the words himself. Also, I use cursive, because it is a more natural way for their hand/wrist to move. But DS is left-handed, so his hand covers the letter he just wrote and presents quite a challenge.
Hope this helps. All Montessori materials are pretty pricey. I have shopped online, there are a few "outlet" type sites, and most of the materials are decent quality.

[smellyann82]

future montessori hs-er here. just subbing! (dd is 27 mo. we're not quite there yet....)

[MissSJ]

Hi,
I have two boys, 3yo and 21 mo, and I have been wanting to implement a Montessori work period into our home for the past two years!!!
In the past two years I have read plenty of Maria Montessori inspired books and have had intentions but I do get so overwhelmed - what are the best materials to buy? what order do the activities go in? should we have a work period or just have the materials out all day? which activities should I make (btw, I'm NOT crafty!)? which ones are truly worthwhile at home? should we try our best to send the boys to school? I have made myself crazy asking myself those questions!

Now I am ready to relax - breathe - and have more materials available. The boys already have open shelving for their toys, a small book shelf in the living room and cube type shelves in their playroom. I already encourage them to help me around the house but lately my oldest has NO interest. My oldest does get himself dressed and helps himself to snacks. He is also taking Suzuki Piano Lessons (from a former Montessori teacher!) which I think mesh nicely with the Montessori Method.

That is a little about us. I am going to start going forward and trusting myself and my children that we will implement more of Montessori's teachings in our home. Just last night I dusted off my copy of Montessori for Under Fives and started reading it with a notebook in hand to take notes. I will definately be glued to this thread watching for updates, I can't wait to read what you do in your home, what types of materials you use (if purchased where?, if made - how?) and how you got a groove to your day!

SJ

[MissSJ]

WOW - this site has great examples of Montessori Materials, both purchased and made, for each of the main areas (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Culture, Math, Geography). http://www.monthome.com/sensorial.htm

[Mountain Diva]

Beware some of these sites ... "Montessori" was never trademarked, and it is often abused by others.
If you are making your own materials strive to keep them from reality --- fabric, wood, glass, etc.
There is also a color matching of materials within a work --- pouring water uses two identical pitchers and a washcloth in a related color; pitcher, bowl, bucket, towels, sponge, soap dish, etc, in handwashing are all the same color; dishwashing basins and pitcher and towel all the same color.
Montessori materials are VERY specific -- and they have to be presented very specifically so the child sees the control of error (spilled water, buckles not buckled, etc) before he attempts it himself.

[MissSJ]

Originally Posted by Mountain Diva

Beware some of these sites ... "Montessori" was never trademarked, and it is often abused by others.
If you are making your own materials strive to keep them from reality --- fabric, wood, glass, etc.
There is also a color matching of materials within a work --- pouring water uses two identical pitchers and a washcloth in a related color; pitcher, bowl, bucket, towels, sponge, soap dish, etc, in handwashing are all the same color; dishwashing basins and pitcher and towel all the same color.
Montessori materials are VERY specific -- and they have to be presented very specifically so the child sees the control of error (spilled water, buckles not buckled, etc) before he attempts it himself.

This makes perfect sense and I do understand how when employing the Montessori Method you want to keep all variables, for example color, the same with the exception of what you want the dc to focus on.

But - Sometimes when working in the home parents need to make use of what they have and it wouldn't make sense economically, or if you are trying to keep your possessions to a minimal to go and purchase white rags when you already have blue just because the materials for your activity are white.

[MissSJ]

Originally Posted by Mountain Diva

Beware some of these sites ... "Montessori" was never trademarked, and it is often abused by others.
If you are making your own materials strive to keep them from reality --- fabric, wood, glass, etc.
There is also a color matching of materials within a work --- pouring water uses two identical pitchers and a washcloth in a related color; pitcher, bowl, bucket, towels, sponge, soap dish, etc, in handwashing are all the same color; dishwashing basins and pitcher and towel all the same color.
Montessori materials are VERY specific -- and they have to be presented very specifically so the child sees the control of error (spilled water, buckles not buckled, etc) before he attempts it himself.

This makes perfect sense and I do understand how when employing the Montessori Method you want to keep all variables, for example color, the same with the exception of what you want the dc to focus on.

But - Sometimes when working in the home parents need to make use of what they have and it wouldn't make sense economically, or if you are trying to keep your possessions to a minimal to go and purchase white rags when you already have blue just because the materials for your activity are white.

[Mountain Diva]

You can keep it all in the same shade, as well, I've even had to do that in a school, for budget reasons ... it is a great way for the child to be able to re-set the work for the next time. Especially in a home setting where you are using your own linen closet or simply don't have the room to have the backup cloths next to the work on a shelf.
AND ... Being short on towels, etc, then leads to cloth washing ... with an old fashioned washboard. And the circle of learning goes on.
The real beauty of the Practical Life area for homeschooling is it is actaully what you have to do everyday anyway. I often find my kids have dragged their dining room chairs over to the kitchen sink and started the dishes while I was on a bathroom run. And we don't have cloth folding as an activity on the shelf, we fold our linen napkins and dishtowels when they come out of the dryer.
It's all good.

[titania8]

don't know if this will be helpful to anyone, but here is a link to a montessori materials-making yahoo group. lots of HSers there.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montessorimakers/

[mamamelia]

thanks for joining splotchy, mountain diva, smellyann82 and missSJ!

our work cycle will also take place in a seperate room (2nd bedroom). the room is small, so i need to be very choosy about what stays in there (which kinda sucks). the room will be set up for a 3.5yo and a 16mo. i too, am in the process of finding and buying materials. i've been looking at the montessori outlet's packages. techincally, the last package costs the same as just one year's tuition at the school dd was attending, so even if i go all out, it still would not be more than what we would have spent to have dd go 5 half days for only four terms. the last package covers 3-12 and in the end will cost me 1K per year to educate 2 kids as opposed to 16K per year to educate 2 kids. that's a 130K (!) difference in 9 years. the cost is crazy, isn't it?

anyway, enough with calculations.

the problem is, i don't know what to do with any of the materials. i mean, i have a basic idea of what to do with the sandpaper letters and counters, but the rest i'm not so sure. i want to use everything in the way it was intended so that we get the full montessori benefit. are there any books that tell you exactly what to do with the classroom materials? i am fairly good at not intervening until it is necessary, so i've got that going so far.

The real beauty of the Practical Life area for homeschooling is it is actaully what you have to do everyday anyway. I often find my kids have dragged their dining room chairs over to the kitchen sink and started the dishes while I was on a bathroom run. And we don't have cloth folding as an activity on the shelf, we fold our linen napkins and dishtowels when they come out of the dryer.
It's all good.

could not agree more!! i actually completely cut out the practical life section from the work cycle because of space constaints and then i thought it might be better for them to get the full real work experience during real work times anyway. so did you cut the entire practical life section out from the work cycle? if not, what did you leave? i'm thinking of leaving the dressing frames as my 16mo will really enjoy them (and most materials are not appropriate for her until she hits about 2.5 or 3 so this is a good compromise). i will have seperate puzzles for the 16mo... but what else? what would you have in your work cycle for a child that young? MissSJ, what activities are you going to have for your 21mo son?

we will also be having a water pitcher and two small glass cups as well as a snack tray to help themselves to - that they will prepare (gather, wash, chop, serve) every morning before starting the work cycle! my 3yo handles a sharp knife pretty well and she will be doing the cutting (under supervision) and dd2 (who is fantastic with directions) will be doing the gathering, washing and serving.

[mamamelia]

Originally Posted by MissSJ

what are the best materials to buy? what order do the activities go in? should we have a work period or just have the materials out all day? which activities should I make (btw, I'm NOT crafty!)? which ones are truly worthwhile at home? should we try our best to send the boys to school? I have made myself crazy asking myself those questions!

I already encourage them to help me around the house but lately my oldest has NO interest. My oldest does get himself dressed and helps himself to snacks. He is also taking Suzuki Piano Lessons (from a former Montessori teacher!) which I think mesh nicely with the Montessori Method.

i have two puzzles of the montessori outlet brand that should be here on monday and i'll let you know what the quality is like when i get it.

i think you should have a set 2 or 3 hour work period for a few reasons:
*it provides the child with a definitive start and end to the work period.
*it allows for a daily routine to be set up.
*you can't always monitor a child working with the materials if they are in the lounge room as you will not be sitting in the lounge room with them all day long.
*i've noticed with my kids that when thier toys are free to access all day, they quickly lose interest in them and tend to misuse them.
*the work cycle needs to be balanced with time for the child to be creative in which ever manner they choose to be (i.e open ended play). also time to be outdoors in nature exploring the real world around them (trips to the beach, national parks etc). i think this is easier to do when you have a start and finish time and can close the door till the next work cycle takes place.

that's my opinion anyway.

we're also going to do piano lessons here too! i think they mesh very nicely.

ETA: i am working on a list of montessori inspired "excursions" or activities out of the work cycle. if you'd like to see what i've got so far, let me know.

[mamamelia]

don't know if this will be helpful to anyone, but here is a link to a montessori materials-making yahoo group. lots of HSers there.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montessorimakers/

thanks titania8!

[MissSJ]

MissSJ, what activities are you going to have for your 21mo son?

When Bo was that age he did a lot of the peg puzzles and we worked on some hand-eye coordination by picking up dried beans and putting them into the opening of a 20oz soda bottle. We also had a couple of round boxes with a lid made out of very thin wood, my dh cut a small slit into the wood and we worked on putting poker chips into the slits - similar to an activity where you would put money into a bank. We also did a lot of reading and he helped me with some chores. When he was 19mo his little brother was born and our world changed dramatically, that is when the whole idea of Montessori activities went out the window so I don't have a lot of experience with my own dcs at this age.

My youngest now loves to help me with chores, I help him get dressed but I encourage him to try to pull the shirt down over his head (after I line it up) and to try to put his own arms into the sleeves, when he spills things he knows where to get a towel and he wipes the spill but we don't really have any activities for this age and I am a little at a loss. Maybe this would be a good age to try to do some transferring with spoons or pouring rice with a pitcher?

What are you planning on introducing Mamamelia?

BTW - you can find some free Montessori downloads here: www.montessorimaterials.org

[MissSJ]

Which materials to purchase?

Let's say you are just starting out and have a little money to purchase some materials, what would you buy?

Some things I am thinking about are:
- Pink Tower
- Broad Stair
- Red Rods
- Knobbed Cylinders
- Knobless Cylinders (maybe?)
- Moveable alphabet
- Sandpaper letters

What, in your opinion, are the best materials to buy and why?

[mamamelia]

Originally Posted by MissSJ

Let's say you are just starting out and have a little money to purchase some materials, what would you buy?

Some things I am thinking about are:
- Pink Tower
- Broad Stair
- Red Rods
- Knobbed Cylinders
- Knobless Cylinders (maybe?)
- Moveable alphabet
- Sandpaper letters

What, in your opinion, are the best materials to buy and why?

this is going to be quick as the kids are waiting but so far, i'm going to get from the sensorial range:

*pink tower with stand and cubes for pink tower
*broad stair and prisms for stair
*red rods with stand
*colour tablets (the 3rd box which has 9 colours in graduating shades from darkest to lightest)
*geometric solids with stands
*geometric plane figures with box
*knobless cylinders (set of four) - i chose knobless as both my girls have already developed the correct three finger grip for drawing and writing and so they don't need to acquire that skill which is what i believe the knobs on the cylinders are for. other than the knobs and the fact they are painted, there is no difference in the width and height of each one i believe.
*rough graduation tablets
*smooth graduation tablets
*sound boxes
*baric tablets

i chose materials like the smooth and rough sandpaper graduation tablets because i believe that they teach a child the important skill of discriminating between objects that have very little difference. my daughter knows what smooth and rough are, but i want to excite her senses by providing one board that is just a little bit smoother or a little bit more coarse than the next and have her note the difference. i think using materials like that teach a lot more than just the basics of what they represent.

i'm unsure about the geometric cabinet as i don't know what it's purpose is? and i'm wondering if there is something that can be made that will serve the same purpose. i have yet to look at the maths and other sections.

anyway, gotta go for now -- will talk tomorrow!

[MissSJ]

Originally Posted by mamamelia

this is going to be quick as the kids are waiting but so far, i'm going to get from the sensorial range:

*pink tower with stand and cubes for pink tower
*broad stair and prisms for stair
*red rods with stand
*colour tablets (the 3rd box which has 9 colours in graduating shades from darkest to lightest)
*geometric solids with stands
*geometric plane figures with box
*knobless cylinders (set of four) - i chose knobless as both my girls have already developed the correct three finger grip for drawing and writing and so they don't need to acquire that skill which is what i believe the knobs on the cylinders are for. other than the knobs and the fact they are painted, there is no difference in the width and height of each one i believe.
*rough graduation tablets
*smooth graduation tablets
*sound boxes
*baric tablets

i chose materials like the smooth and rough sandpaper graduation tablets because i believe that they teach a child the important skill of discriminating between objects that have very little difference. my daughter knows what smooth and rough are, but i want to excite her senses by providing one board that is just a little bit smoother or a little bit more coarse than the next and have her note the difference. i think using materials like that teach a lot more than just the basics of what they represent.

i'm unsure about the geometric cabinet as i don't know what it's purpose is? and i'm wondering if there is something that can be made that will serve the same purpose. i have yet to look at the maths and other sections.

anyway, gotta go for now -- will talk tomorrow!

Mamamelia, Your post helped me remember a few things! In a perfect world we'd also like to purchase the metal insets, the country maps, maybe the largest of the color tablets and maybe a few other things I can't think of right now. I was planning on trying to make my own rough graduation tablets out of sandpaper, any reasons why that would not be a good idea? I was also planning on making my own sound and smell boxes.

Can you tell me a little more about the knobless cylinders? I believe the primary purpose of the knobbed cylinders is differentiating between sizes - the first set varies by decreasing in diameter, the second decrease in both height and diameter, the third decrease in diameter while increasing in height and the fourth are the same diameter while decreasing in height. Preparing the fingers for writing is just an indirect objective. Are the knobless cylinders as versitile?

SJ