Well, I've spent the day redoing the Practical Life area (pictures posted below). My class does not return for three weeks, but the ideas were knocking on my brain endlessly the past four days, and I gave in. I was so excited to brighten up the area and cannot wait to see what works are a hit with the kids. Here are a few shots (taken with my phone, so not the best) of my winter inspired Practical Life shelves.
Cabinet One: (left to right, top to bottom)
*all on beautiful silver trays- all materials provided by my head teacher- amazing!
Shelf one: whole hand transfer of white pompoms- pitcher pouring small clearish white beads with snowflake sequins- funnel transfer of white sand
Shelf two: scooping transfer of white rocks- spooning transfer of white sand with sequins- strawberry huller transfer of blue plastic stars into ten sections on a painters tray
Shelf three: tong transfer of four types of nuts (three of each) into four different bowls- tweezer transfer with two sizes of strawberries into two containers
Cabinet Two:
Shelf one: whole hand sponge transfer of water- whole hand glass pouring of water- pitcher transfer of colored water
Shelf two: sifting transfer with water and gems- eye dropped transfer of colored water into a painters tray- baster transfer of colored water
Shelf three: small object washing (penguin)- chair washing (a new introduction this year)
Cabinet Three:
Shelf one: open/ close containers with sparkle pompoms to find in each- nuts and bolts- key and lock (three sizes)
Shelf two: apple lacing- bead stringing- picture lacing
Shelf three: cake creating (a favorite of my head teacher) buttoning and zipping vests- shoe lacing
My practicum year has put me in the position of Assistant Teacher/Intern, which allows me to develop works, give lessons, direct circle and give my two cents on different classroom issues. I work under a head teacher who has given me ample freedom, though I have been hesitant to grab on fully. I am a thinker (one personality trait I "blame" on Montessori) and so I tend to observe, weigh and consider all options before jumping in. I am hoping this blog will help me reflect on my processes and gain new ideas to help in my learning process
***BTW- after these two posts I have so much respect for my favorite Montessori blog "My Montessori Journey" and am grateful for all of her time spent sharing ideas- thank you Laura!
***BTW- after these two posts I have so much respect for my favorite Montessori blog "My Montessori Journey" and am grateful for all of her time spent sharing ideas- thank you Laura!
