Japanese Lessons

 Many examples of Japanese language works we do at our school.

Mother's Day gifts ready to go home

Fresh from our kiln
Instructional video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc0fvsdc1L8&list=UUPsWbgQm-gSucDBVGoP4GSQ&index=1 

Paper flowers added to hand Mom

Drawing beautiful Mom

New works this week

Shell matching

Tiny object tweezer work 

Nut, washer, bolt sets

Curved bolts, washer and nut sets

Goodwill object becomes a weaving lesson

Page from a book becomes a writing lesson

Giant Wasp Nest

A house renovation revealed this huge abandoned wasp nest in a ceiling. Look at my Insect Unit on this blog to see my many insect works.  http://inspiredmontessori.blogspot.com/search/label/insects

This was certainly my biggest sharing on the life of insects yet.

Sensorial Extensions

As an art teacher / Montessori teacher I am always looking for new ways to use materials.

 I feel comfortable allowing children to stretch the boundaries of creative experimentation with material. 

Here are a few from this week.

Idea book to the left is used all day to give structure to extended ideas, in this case illustrations of the building.

Multiple caterpillars decorated and illustrated.

Red Rods as decorated tree and spider web using swizzle sticks

After teaching Montessori for over 30 years, the material still excites me by bringing forth ideas we have never
thought of before.

Unique Works on a Budget

I have hundreds of small motor skill works for my school's Practical Life area. I confess that I find all of them at Goodwill, garage sales and estate sales. Last time I was at Goodwill people actually stopped me and asked what I was going to do with all those strange objects. I did not know exactly yet. I take them back to school and brain storm and add things I already have to finish them into workable exercises. Many of the objects we can not figure out what their original purpose was. 

No matter. They have a new,exciting life now.

I am always looking for objects that fit into holes - a favorite work for  children.
The wooden topped object once held liquid scent and I have been told the other is a test tube holder that is perfect for completing this new work.

I often see these glass things. 

I was told it is for spacing in flower arranging.

It has now become a well used "Make a cherry pie" work with tweezers.

The kids love it.

Old pill dispenser, tweezers and cool buttons. 

A challenge to do for kids. 

Plastic ice cubes and a giant pair of tweezers. 

Thanks, Goodwill, for a $4 exercise!

No one can figure what these things are.

All I know is they have holes. Winner!

 

Party store swizzle sticks and paper sticks to make lollipops make it work!

All from Goodwill. Metal candle holder, plastic balls, ice cream scoop. Ideal for our three year old class!

It has holes. Sold! Pick up fancy toothpicks from a party store and the kids love this!

Old picture frame with stuff to match. Loving it.

 

Strange but true. Wooden candle stick with a small ball to flick around and around.

Top ball does nothing. Like it?  No!  They love it!

So, look at objects with new eyes. 

See what it can be, not what it is all old and unloved.

Give them new life for pennies!