May reflections

As promised in my post "May Calendar," here are our reflections and lessons for last month. We did pretty good accomplishing the goals I set for us, with some slight changes here and there. So, have a little looksie.

https://www.box.com/s/s4yczxjktghha6swiaud 

https://www.box.com/s/ktvs5zevks8tx6cl6y4f 

This is the first time I've used Box.com to share files. So, I have included a picture and a link and if it doesn't work for some reason, please let me know. 

I'm fairly satisfied with meeting most of our goals mainly because I feel I have developed a good sense for what the girls are capable of even when we don't really feel like doing anything for days at a time. I never wanted to put unrealistic expectations on them as a instructor or mommy, but I do know they are capable of great things if I allow them and guide them to it. 

I am also happy that maybe we have developed a balance of fun and play and learning and lesson. One of my greatest struggles, maybe developed from the life altering program I went through 4 years ago, I have a hard time seeing the big picture. The month, year or life as a whole. The girls' behavior and personalities over their actions. The struggles of going through "one day at a time," instead of seeing that there really are more days to do whatever it is I feel like we need to do. That this isn't my last day. When I see what we have accomplished at the end of each month and how fast they are learning and growing it really helps me adjust my perspective and really makes me quite proud of my montessori girls. 

June calendar

This past week, while the girls were taking it easy and recovering from all the events the week before, I was busy getting next month's calendar ready. It normally takes me 3 nap times to create, plan and map out each days lessons for the following month. So roughly 3 days of nothing but planning. 

Again, as mentioned is my post "May Calendar," this is more of an outline and a shopping list for me that changes frequently as the days go on depending on the eagerness of each girl.

https://www.box.com/s/gmiqebx69vui7z2hfhnl 

https://www.box.com/s/91ib7vquze2ul20kccfh 

I share this to give people new to the Montessori concept an idea of what kind of activities are done, how often, and how a child progresses. I also do it so you can see what kind of format works for us in case you want to try this type of calendaring for yourself. 

When I first started this journey over a year ago there were no free montessori based scheduling programs or apps to give someone an idea of how to put together a timeline or an expectation of what activities a child could do. I had to start completely from scratch and it was a little difficult and there were a lot of changes. In fact, I still haven't found a calendar format that might be helpful or beneficial to our journey. 

So I hope these can help someone, but if not at least you can get a sneak peek of what we might be doing in any given day.

DIY--nut & bolt board

The nut and bolt board can be found with 5 to 7 nuts and bolts in varying sizes going from largest to smallest sticking up or through a board. It is a practical life activity that develops fine motor skills and the pincher grasp for indirect preparation of writing. 

The bolts do not move so the sole action in the activity is removing and replacing the nuts. We did not know about this activity when Delores was 2 so when Lydia mastered opening and closing lids to jars and lids to boxes it was time to move to this activity. 

Now in my last post "DIY--Sandpaper numbers," I stated it was more cost efficient to just buy it. In this instance however, that was not the case. Plus Josh was looking forward to doing this himself when I told him about it.

Here was our supply list:

Wooden block measuring 8.5 in long x 2.5 in wide x 1.5 in deep--FREE from Lowes. I'm not saying your Lowes will give this to you for free but if they can just give this piece of scrap wood away I can't imagine it costs very much.

5 nuts & 5 matching nuts (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 of an inch) from Lowes--under $10.00. 

Small bottle of Gorilla glue from Lowes--$5.00

5/8 spade (wood-boring) drill bit from Walmart--$5.00**

Total: $20.00

The cheapest one I found (pictured first at the top of this post) was from Early School Materials for $19.50 not including shipping.  (http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com/practical_life/five_bolt_board.html).

Another one I found (pictured second at the top of the post) was from JMPlearning.com for $31.95 not including shipping. (http://www.jmplearning.com/JS_2068_Seven_Bolt_Board_p/js-2068.htm)

We already had the 4 other drill bits so we didn't have that additional purchase. If you don't already have the drill bits you may come out better buying the block unless of course you want to add to you collection of tools and want a project. 

Josh made a grid on the back of the block with pencil to mark where each nut would be placed. A line in the middle the whole length of the block and then 5 lines the same distance apart intersecting the first horizontal line. Then drill through the back at each intersecting points. Put some glue in the holes and insert the bolts. 

After drying we notice the heads of the bolts caused the block to lay lopsided because the 5/8th was so large. To fix this problem he used some scrap pieces of wood to glue to each side of the bolts to level out the block. 

You could just use two pieces along each side but for some reason he wanted to do it this way. It works fine so why nit pick? Put the nuts on the bolts and... Ta da! 

Also, you can see that the gorilla glue expands and leaks out but you could easily shave this off with a razor blade. We didn't because I wanted to use it with Lydia immediately but we probably will take that step eventually. 

This is what it looks like now:

I still have plans to apply some high gloss polyurethane to it because I want it to look inviting, professional and because I'm a little OCD like that. 

Lydia has thoroughly enjoyed it and it was cheaper for us to make than to buy so all in all a win-win situation. 

** Josh just found one of these on Lowes' website for $3.78. So do all your research for the cheapest materials in your area unless you are a one stop shop person. 

DIY--sandpaper numbers

Sandpaper numbers are wooden tablets with, you guessed it, numbers made out of sandpaper pasted on them. They are used to teach the child the symbols of numbers 0-9 after they can count to 20, build the number rod stairs and can tell you the majority of what each number rod represents. The child is normally given three at a time starting with one or two he/she may already know. They watch you trace and say one number at a time and then they do it. You give a three period lesson on those three and then you either stop and wait for another day to introduce more, or you can try to introduce one or two more to the mix. Just depends on the child. 

Simple enough. The concept is that by feeling and saying and seeing the numbers the child is using most of his senses to learn and will retain the information more readily.

If you were to look up sandpaper numbers on Pinterest or bing it ( my preferred search engine) you would find a good bit of information on where to buy these, how to make these the traditional way and how to make these out of a type of fabric like felt. So, why do I feel the need to write yet another post on this topic to add to the plethora of information? 

Two reasons:

1. I assume that my readers are not familiar with the sandpaper numbers and what they are use for or even how to use them. 

2. Out of all the articles I've read not one of them mentioned or advised that  it might be more cost effective just to buy them. From making them myself, I can tell you I probably spent more time and money making these than I would have if I had just purchased them online and waited for them to arrive in their own pretty little wooden box.

For example my supply list looked something like this:

Sheets of 80 grit sandpaper (fyi use a 120, 80 is too rough) from Lowes--around $6.00

Two wooden boards from hobby lobby-- $ 6.99 each

One can of green spray paint from Walmart--around $2.00

Small can of high gloss polyurethane from Lowes--around $7.00

Four foam brushes from Walmart--&0.69 each

That's a total of $31.74.

At Allison's Montessori online (http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Sandpaper_Numbers_p/m02.htm) you can get the same tablets for $16.50 with their wooden box.

At Amazon online (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002DG50FY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1370262473&sr=8-1&pi=SL75) for $15.13 without the box.

As you can see making these myself was not very economical. These are what mine look like now:

Either way I'm happy with my numbers. If I were to do it all over again though, I would definitely buy them from Allison's because they come with their own box which saves room on my shelf and they are cheaper than what I would pay to make them. My moto is live and learn and then get luvs. I hope I've helped you from making your own economical mistake, but if you just want the satisfaction and a hobby here are some links below to help you do it yourself.

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2012/02/13/montessori-monday-inexpensive-and-diy-sandpaper-numerals/

Good blog post from Living Montessori Now with several links and ideas and variation of the DIY versions.

http://jmjpublishing.com/JMJpdfs4all/09SPNumeralsLg.pdf

Good free template of numbers you can use to print and cut out from JMJ Publishing. 

http://mamaguru.com/montessori-sandpaper-numbers/

Good, detailed, instructional blog post on how to make a very traditional looking sandpaper numbers.

(Trying to) Slow things down

Last week I talked about use getting out of the house more and socializing with other people, but this week I discovered that after all that busyness last week,and with the holiday weekend, we all felt like we needed to take it slow this week and just recover from all of it. Apparently the girls get just as worn out from going as I do. 

Pretending to nap on the couch. 

I still prepared activities and trays to put on the shelf but I let the girls decide when they wanted to work. I think we finally got to some on Thursday. Lydia wanted to do more than Delores but lessons still didn't last more than about 30 minutes. Here are some shots from this week. 

Musical sound bottles made from glass yoo-hoo bottles. 

They come 4 in a pack so they worked out perfectly and Josh and I got to enjoy a childhood favorite. :) Here she is playing only every other one on the musical scale. You can find information for how much water to put in for each scale on ehow.com: http://www.ehow.com/how_5104489_make-music-water-glasses.html#page=0

Playing with the new fingerprint we got. Somehow she decided it would be a good idea to paint her body though. :)

Working with the nut and bolt board daddy made. 

She loved this. I even caught her standing beside her shelf and spinning the nuts on her shelf and then walking away. As a matter of fact she just came and got it off the shelf to work on as I am writing this. 

Realized she could wear the biggest one (5/8 of 1 in) like a ring.

Delores' turn

Working with sandpaper numbers mommy and daddy made.

She did well. She already knew 1 & 2, but did well with 3. Alas, she was done after a brief 3 period lesson.

Lydia's turn. She just had fun playing with these. 

Three period lessons don't work with her right now (very common for 2 year olds) so she just kind of did her own lesson.

*I'm going to try to do a separate post on both of the activities Josh and I made to go into more detail of how you can make your own.*

After that Lydia did some matching with paper clips and picture cards. 

Delores also did some name tracing with the new tracing paper we got. 

I made the name cards by typing their first and last names in Lucida Handwritiing font in the biggest size, cutting and pasteing their first and last name back to back on an index card, trimming down the index card and then laminated each side of the card using laminating contact paper you can buy by the roll where you find other contact paper and drawer liners (best purchase I ever made). 

Here's a close up

 

And her finished product. 

It feels like we didn't do much because we didn't spend much time in front of a mat, but when you look back through all the pictures we still did a good bit. This is really what montessori homeschooling is all about. For most of us having shelves everywhere and keeping all our materials out at one time just isn't practical nor do we have the space. When the principles are applied to everything in your life however, it doesn't really matter how much time you spend in front of a mat or how much money you spend or how much space you have the lessons still sneak themselves in somehow. I just love that. 

Feed the ducks and such

This morning we had a play date at Furman with a Greenville Meet Up group.  I joined this group in an attempt to get out, socialize the girls and meet some ladies that might have SOME things in common with me. It is very hard to find people who have the same ideals as Josh and I do and it has really been a struggle to make friends when you don't have anything in common with anyone you meet. We aren't really weird or have a strange religion or anything, we are just what you would call frugal hippies maybe. You know, homeschooling, pro breastfeeding, cloth diapering, healthy eating, stay at home mom. We joke often that we should just up and move to Asheville where we might fit in a little better, but our mothers would kill us if we even considered it. 

So anyway, I have a little social anxiety when it comes to meeting new people, but usually I push through it because I know there is an experience to be enjoyed in the end. Here are a few thoughts that went through my head as I was laying in bed last night, trying to sleep, to give you a better understanding of what I deal with every time I am approaching an event I know I have to interact with adult women.

I am terrified of meeting these people. 

I hate getting out of my comfort zone. 

I have no buddy to go with me. (Josh is usually my comforter)

I'm scared I will get lost. 

I'm nervous about being out of place. 

Worried my kids won't interact. 

Worried they won't have fun.

Scared I will have a bad mommy moment. 

Scared we will be late. 

So there it is. My thoughts raw and unedited. And you know what? Some of that stuff actually happened. I got lost, I was late, the girls didn't interact, I did feel slightly out of place but, as always, we did enjoy ourselves in the end and THAT is really all that matters. 

We fed the ducks, had a picnic lunch, played with bubbles, picked wild flowers, talked about pinecones and how they work and Lydia found a marble. I met some nice ladies and didn't make a complete fool of myself. No, they didn't have a whole lot in common with me, but that's ok. 

Here are some shots of our outing:

As soon as we got home I RSVP'd yes to 2 more events. I love introducing a variety of things to our girls because I feel it makes them well rounded and they see there is a world outside of their own. That may be the only thing that pushes me over my fears. One of my goals as a mother is to not pass that fear of interacting and doing something new onto my children. If I accomplish that I can say I did okay. 

It isn't pleasant stepping out to interact and doing something new to me but, really, isn't it supposed to be a little uncomfortable when you get out of your comfort zone? 

Glass/mirror polishing

This morning's lesson just sort of fell into place as though Delores and I were in sync. Which never happens. Delores has a will and passion as strong as my own so we clash more than we get along. So, maybe it wasn't that we were in sync so much as it was that the subtle selection and placement of the material made us both think we were in sync. 

Last night I sat out a tray for mirror/glass polishing. The tray consisted of glass top stove polish found in the cleaning aisle of the grocery store (if you chose to get this see if you can find a small bottle. This will probably dry up before it gets used up).

The other materials in the tray were a couple of q-tips, a few cotton balls, a rag, a small dish, a small glass bowl and Delores' play makeup mirror. 

Not too long after breakfast she announced she was going to put on makeup. He he he. She then proceeded to put on makeup, but wait, where was her mirror? And the introduction for today's lesson began. 

The child puts two or three drops of the polish into the small glass bowl and then uses a Q-tip to dip into the polish and apply the polish in small circular motions from left to right, top to bottom (indirect preparation for reading) until the entire mirror is covered with the polish and they can't see themselves. They then have to wait until the polish dries which takes about 30 seconds to a minute depending on how thick they have put it on. The girls and I sang a couple of songs while we were waiting. 

After it is dry they use a cotton ball to rub off the polish. Wa lah! A nice clean mirror they can see themselves in and what child doesn't love to look at themselves in the mirror. 

Of course after they do that they have to throw all the used Q-tips and cotton balls away and replenish with new ones. Clean and dry the container holding the polish and replenish the rag used for drying. Put everything in the tray and put the tray back where they got it from. Leaving the material exactly like they found it so it is ready for the next person to use. The clean up in always more exstendive than the lesson and if you are starting out with a two year old it is best to start them out with clean up adding one step at a time until you feel they can handle doing it with just a small amount of reminders before you start giving lessons. 

But anyway, back on topic. So that seems like a neat way to keep some kids busy for a while, but what exactly is it teaching them? Well, several things. It is a practical life activity which means it gives the child a sense of purpose by having responsibilities and skills to help take care of his/her self, his environment and the world around him. This particular work is a care of the environment work and develops focus, concentration, encouragement to follow through with a task to the end, self control, fine motor refinement, respect for fragile objects and respect for those things in his environment. 

So here are some shots of the girls doing just that. 

Polishing the mirror

"I can't see myself!"

Wiping off the mirror

"There I am!" (Different mirror the second time around)

Lydia's turn:

There is always something I find that I want to change after doing a lesson for the first time. The polish bottle was a little heavy and difficult for them to open so I'm thinking I will find a dropper bottle to put a little polish in. Also, Delores broke the little glass bowl in her attempt to clean it so I'm considering a small metal bowl next time. Other than that the lesson was a hit and I'm guessing it will be on the shelf to be used over and over again for a while.