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Free Montessori Materials from Around the Web

By: Trish Corlew15 Comments

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As a homeschooler on a seriously tight budget, I completely understand the need to stretch our budget as far as it will go.  I have been homeschooling for four years now and starting to pull together many resources that provide free Montessori Materials.  Below is a list of the ones I know of at present.  More will be added as I find them.  If you have Montessori materials you are sharing (or know of a site that is not on the list), please either leave a comment or email me!  I hope these are a blessing to you as much as they were a blessing to us!

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 free montessori materials from around the web

 

Vendors for Materials that offer free downloads:   

http://www.montessoriprintshop.com/Free_Montessori_Downloads.html

  • Birds Match-up & Memory
  • # Rods Control Card & Numbers
  • Weather Tracking Cards
  • 0-10 Numbers and Counters (Summer)
  • Celebration of Life
  • 0-10 Quanity, Symbol & Written Word Cards
  • Triangles 3-part cards
  • Stamp Game Papers
  • Square Chain Labels
  • Superimposed Geometric Figures
  • Small, Medium, Large Sorting
  • Labels for Sensorial Area
  • Puzzle Word Cards
  • Plural Series
  • Pink Ending Sound Cards
  • Picasso Art Book
  • Globe, Continent & Ocean Labels
  • Color Matching Cards
  • Frog Match Up & Memory Game
  • Frog Nomenclature Cards
  • Frog Nomenclature Book
  • O’Keefe Art Cards
  • Large Number Cards
  • Electrical Applicances 3-Part Cards
  • Nomenclature Storage Tags
  • Dinosaur Cards
  • Bead Chain Papers
  • Australia / Oceania / Australasia Landmarks 3-Part Cards
  • Animals & Their Sounds
  • Phonetic Word Cards – Step 1
  • Annimal Camoulage Cards
  • Celebrations of Life
  • Storage Labels for the Pink, Blue, Green Phonics Series
  • Storage Labels for the Step 1, 2, 3 Phonics Series
  • Flamingo Nomenclature Cards
  • Fall Cutting Stripis
  • Imagine Story Cards
  • Language Record
  • Research Outlines
  • Seed & Plant Matching Cards
  • World Continents Pin Map Flags and Map
  • Ladybug Lie Cycle Cards & Charts
  • Printable Stamp Game & Instructions
  • Animal Adaptation:  Birds and Beaks
  • Australia Fun Fact Cards
  • Compass Rose
  • More Than – Less Than
  • Short Poetry
  • Bossy E Word Cards
  • Graph Paper – Half Inch
  • I Spy Pages
  • Garden Tools
  • Animal Movement – Swim, Walk, Fly

http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Free-Downloads_ep_35-1.html

Elementary Workplans & Teacher Tools

  • Workplans: 1st – 4th Grades
  • School Calendar 2012 – 2013
  • Evaluations
  • Testing Info
  • Just for Fun
  • Nametag Templates

Language Materials

  • Language Activities
  • Reading and Pre-Reading Activities
  • Story Writing
  • Nomenclature Cards
  • Word Study – Nouns
  • Grammar & Punctuation

Cultural Materials

  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • General
  • Months & Seasons
  • Seasons Matching Cards
  • History & Geography

Math & Geometry Materials

  • Math Activities
  • Number Writing Practice
  • Math Fact Practice
  • Geometry Materials

http://montessori-n-such.com/Freebies.aspx

http://www.montessorimaterials.org/

  • Puzzle Outlines
  • Hammer Kit Patterns

http://www.montessorimaterials.com/content/free-downloadable-materials

  • Pink picture cards and labels
  • Blue picture cards and labels

http://www.amonco.org/

http://wasecabiomes.org/products/an-introduction-to-the-biomes-with-curriculum-primary (scroll down. On the right side, right below the item number.. )

http://montessoriforlearning.com/FreeDownloadIndex.html   

Reading and Language

  • Pre-Primer Lowercase Matching Set
  • Scissor Practice
  • Vegetable Vocabulary Cards (Nomenclature Cards)
  • Blue Reading Dominoes Set I
  • Mirror Cards (C-V-C reading practice)
  • Sight Word Activities Pre-Primer Hand Flashcards
  • Pink Level Reading Phonics Bingo Set I
  • Color Word Flashcards
  • Shape and Sight Word Scavenger Hunt
  • Letter-Recognition Matching Cards
  • Kids Joke Cards
  • Finger Labeling Activity (Labeling parts of a finger)
  • Today is… Beginning writing prompt journal paper
  • Beginning Alphabetizing Work
  • Number of Syllables Cards
  • Blue Level Phonetic Noun Cards
  • Building Sentences (with instructions)
  • Spanish Phrases Set 2 Cards

Math

  • Red and Blue Rods with Number Cards
  • Equivalent Liquid Measurement Cards
  • Divisibility Cards
  • Sorting Number Cards
  • Percent of a Number Cards
  • Place Value Mission (with instructions)
  • Tangram Pieces and Pattern Work
  • How many game (with instructions)
  • Counting Arrangement Game (with instructions)
  • Congruent Figures
  • Equivalent Fractions Matching
  • Spanish / English Number Words
  • Geometric Shapes Nomenclature Cards

Science

  • Diffusion Science Experiment 1 and 2 and explanation
  • Thirsty Carnation (absorption) experiment and explanation
  • Science Observation Sheet (for both young and older children)
  • Solar System Sequencing / Patterning Cards
  • Vertebrates and Invertebrates
  • Moon Phase 3-part Cards
  • Simple Machine 3-Part Cards

Administrative

  • Weekly Schedule
  • Calendar
  • Class Checklist for 25 -35 students
  • Class Information Sheet
  • Parent / Teacher Conference Record
  • Journal Paper

Miscellaneous

  • Spring Fact / Opinion Cards
  • Fruit Nomenclature Cards
  • Vegetable Nomenclature Cards
  • Outdoor Vocabulary Nomenclature Cards

https://sites.google.com/site/freemontessoriresources/ 

LOTS of stuff here to download.  Too much to list, so I’m listing the categories!  

  • Canadian French Nomenclature
  • Canadian History and Geography
  • Games, links and fun
  • Language
  • Life Skills
  • Science
  • Sensory
  • World Culture

http://www.jmjpublishing.com/hope4memembers.html

  • Teacher Preparation
  • Practical Life
  • Sensorial / Geometry
  • Language
  • Math 
  • Culture
  • Catechesis

http://www.currclick.com/index.php?search_filter=&filters=&cPath=&search_here=&keywords=montessori&page=1&sort=4a   

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Type-of-Resource/Montessori/Order:Price-Asc new

 

Bloggers that are creating and sharing works:  

http://www.voilamontessori.com/en/resources/downloads/ new

http://buggyandbuddy.com/free-printables/

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Trillium-Montessori/Price-Range/Free/Order:Price-Asc

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parts-of-a-Turkey-3-Part-Cards-and-Definitions-FREE-940018  

http://www.montessori-science.org/Montessori-Genius/Lillard_Montessori_Science_Genius_Ch1.pdf  

http://sewliberated.typepad.com/Montessori%20Childs%20Apron.pdf  

http://www.everystarisdifferent.com/2014/07/free-printables.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Carrots-Are-Orange/Category/FREE-203160

http://www.itsybitsyfun.com/apps/search?q=free

http://wildflowerramblings.com/tot-school-printables/  

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Judith-Heideman/Price-Range/Free

http://www.imagineourlife.com/?s=free

http://pinkprincesskingdom.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results

http://trilliummontessori.org/tag/printables/ 

http://mixingplaydough.blogspot.com/search/label/free  

http://www.3dinosaurs.com/printables/  

http://www.montessorialliance.ie/downloads-2/  

http://neenamassey.edublogs.org/files/2010/12/Cosmic-Tales-and-Great-Lessons-1vsj2wm.pdf  

http://handsonhomeschooler.com/category/freebie   

http://beautifulsunmontessori.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results

http://titus2homemaker.com/free-stuff/printables-homeschool/ new

http://titus2homemaker.com/2011/09/montessori-3-part-cards/ 

http://seedsowersmontessori.com/sightwordslist-5/ 

http://seedsowersmontessori.com/activities/ new

http://totschool.shannons.org/?s=free&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search new

http://totschool.shannons.org/printables/  

http://thelearningark.blogspot.com/search/label/free%20download 

http://montessoristory.blogspot.com/search/label/Downloads 

http://simplymontessori.blogspot.com/2009/06/printables.html 

http://www.minieco.co.uk/printable-sewing-cards/ 

http://montessorihomeschooling.blogspot.com/2009/03/montessori-printables.html 

https://sites.google.com/site/learningbyheartprintables/home/montessori-printables  

http://langfordmath.com/MontessoriMath/MontessoriIndex.html  

http://www.justmontessori.com/freebies/     

http://adventuresofarainbowmamamama.blogspot.com/2011/08/montessori-grammar-materials-free.html  

http://lessonplanstopotsandpans.blogspot.com/p/montessori-downloads.html  

http://thehelpfulgarden.blogspot.com/

http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Main_Page

http://www.montessorimom.com/

http://chestnutgroveacademy.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html#

http://www.scribd.com/thegirlwhopaintedtrees/documents

http://www.scribd.com/tiredneedsleep/documents

http://www.scribd.com/What’sintheBox/documents 

http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2011/08/montessori-printables/

http://3readers.wordpress.com/category/montessori/montessori-downloads/

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/08/26/free-montessori-materials-online/

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/montessori-materials-9370-2-1

http://www.delicious.com/MrsLovewell/free_montessori

http://montessorihomes.blogspot.com/2011/06/free-download.html

http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/08/free-printables.html

http://www.freemontessori.org/

http://www.forskoleburken.com/2010/01/en-till.html

http://themontessorigoldmine.blogspot.com/

https://sites.google.com/site/freemontessoriresources/Home

http://homeschoolescapade.blogspot.com/p/downloads.html

http://motherwellmontessori.com/category/montessori-downloads/

http://www.jojoebi-designs.com/2010/01/downloads.html

http://www.jmjpublishing.com/hope4memembers.html

http://www.montessorialbum.com/montessori/index.php?title=Printable_Materials

http://montessorihelper.com/category/free-lesson-activities/

http://mymontessorimoments.com/free-materials/

http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/my_montessori_journey/free_downloads/

http://www.onehookwonder.com/search/label/Montessori

http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/p/free-downloads-from-homeschool-den.html

http://tiredneedsleep.blogspot.com/search/label/Printables%20Main%20Page

http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/p/printables-with-instructions-and-ideas.html

http://sporschool.blogspot.com/search/label/downloads

http://www.scribd.com/kh4d0c

http://www.scribd.com/delightfullearning

http://www.scribd.com/harmonyartmom

http://www.scribd.com/coffeeandconversation

http://www.scribd.com/mysecondgradejournal

http://www.scribd.com/nando973

http://www.scribd.com/lisa_nolan_2

http://www.scribd.com/toadymama

http://montessorihelper.com/category/free-lesson-activities/

http://thelittlelist.wordpress.com/m-o-n-t-e-s-s-o-r-i/

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CXzZSNHRjQ2t2Tm8/edit?pli=1 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzFNPnI_PfbwS2VqcXA2MzdrRVU/edit 

http://www.parents.com/blogs/homeschool-den/2012/06/12/science/world-biomes-pin-map/  

http://www.parents.com/blogs/homeschool-den/tag/free-montessori-3-part-cards/ new

http://www.montessori-on-a-budget.com/2011/03/friday-free-downloads-montessori-art.html   

http://www.ourmontessorihome.com/2012/10/montessori-pre-reading-activities-and-cards-with-free-download/   

http://homemademontessori.blogspot.com/search/label/3-part-cards   

http://ukbookworm.blogspot.de/search/label/Montessori    

http://montessoriworkjobs.blogspot.com/p/nomenclature-cards.html 

http://thatresourcesite.com/faith/faith_search.htm?cx=partner-pub-1411271827471762%3A9302821237&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=montessori&sa=Search+Our+Site   

http://saracotner.wordpress.com/resources-2/montessori-materials/ 

 

Training Centers that are sharing Lessons from their Manuals:  

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/5gl_cep/blackline_masters.pdf 

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/cultural_geography/sample_lessons.pdf 

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/physical_geography/sample_lessons.pdf 

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/classroom_guide/sample_pages.pdf 

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/matter_astronomy/sample_lessons.pdf 

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/language_arts/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/botany/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/zoology_chemistry/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/mathematics/sample_lesson1.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/mathematics/LEMath2-sample_lesson.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/health_sciences/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/apl2006/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/history2006/sample_lessons.pdf

http://www.montessoritraining.net/elementary_program/courses/science_experiments/sample_lessons.pdf 

http://www.mymontessorihouse.com/files/Montessori_Infant_and_Toddler_SampleINDEX.pdf

http://www.montessori-home-schooling.com/teach-montessori-at-home/sample-activities.aspx

 

Free Kindle Books (NOTE:  CHECK PRICE before you buy and download, prices change DAILY):

Spontaneous Activity in Education 

The Montessori Method Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in ‘The Children’s Houses’ with Additions and Revisions by the Author

The Absorbent Mind

Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook

 

Free Montessori Manuals:

 

Cultivating Dharma:  http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9

     Elementary:  

  • Math 1, Math 2, Geometry, Language Albums

Miss Barbara:  http://www.missbarbara.net/greatlessons.html 

  • The Great Lessons

Montessori Teacher’s Collective:  http://www.moteaco.com/albums.html

     Three to Six:  

  • Math 
  • Culture 

     Six to Nine:  

  • Math
  • History
  • Geometry
  • Biology
  • Language 

     The Great Lessons
     Timeline of Life 
     Timeline of Writing

Montessori Album:  http://www.montessorialbum.com/montessori/index.php?title=Main_Page

  • Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Social Studies, Music, Art, Language, Science and Methodology (these are not very complete yet)… 

Shu-Chen Jenny Yen’s Albums:  http://faculty.fullerton.edu/syen/mts/_link.htm 

     Three to Six:  

  • Practical Life 
  • Sensorial
  • Language Development 
  • Math 

Wikisori:  http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Wikisori_Albums

     Three to Six, Six to Nine and Nine to Twelve Albums

  • Practical Life
  • Sensorial
  • Language Mathematics
  • Cultural
  • Science 

Elizabeth Ross Hubbell:  http://www.elizrosshubbell.com/portfolio/geometryunit.pdf

     Six to Nine:  

  • Geometry Album

Info Montessori:  http://www.infomontessori.com/

     Three to Six:  

  • Practical Life
  • Sensorial 
  • Language
  • Math

Montessori World http://montessoriworld.org/  This site also has videos!  

  • Beginning Math
  • Beginning Reading 
  • Practical Lie
  • Handiwork
  • Music
  • Sensorial Development

 

Curriculum Assistance

Toddler Classroom Curriculum  

https://sites.google.com/a/compassmontessorievents.com/compass-main/lower-elementary

1st grade curriculum guide

2nd grade curriculum guide

3rd grade curriculum guide

3to6 Scope & Sequence

6to9 Scope & Sequence

Complete Classroom Setups for LE and UE

Curriculum scope and sequence all

Namta Curriculum Downloads    

Lesson Plans http://faculty.tamu-commerce.edu/jthompson/Resources/MaitrilLessonplansall.pdf 

 

Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy Supplemental Materials

By: Trish Corlewcomment

these Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy Supplemental materials are centered around bringing an even stronger hands-on approach to this great curriculum.  Astronomy can be introduced as early as preschool … so it’s never too early to talk about Astronomy  We loved Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy!  It was one of our first studies after I brought the boys home from the Montessori school to homeschool.  I was scared to death about homeschooling but had heard such fabulous things about Apologia’s Science curriculum, I was sure we would love it.  And we did!  We added all the supplemental materials  that centered around the Montessori hands-on piece and made an already vibrant curriculum absolutely perfect for our homeschool.  As I have time, I will take the Apologia Astronomy supplemental resources that we used to make this curriculum more Montessori and post them all here, like I’m doing for Botany.  In the meantime, I’ll add a piece here and a piece there until I have time to work on the entire book.  

Every year, we circle back through parts of this curriculum, every time a topic is discussed or we study something that relates to astronomy.  Here lately there has been quite a bit in the news … such as the meteorite close fly-by and then the unexpected one that landed in Russia, Mars space mission, comets visible to the naked eye, etc.  So we have had our book out regularly the last few months.  

Anyway, I thought I would start with some of the basic solar system materials that are available free.  

 

Solar System

Solar system Cards from Enchanted Learning; Planet Cards from Montessori Mom; The Helpful Garden Also has free Nomenclature Cards for the Solar System.  This set could easily be made into three part cards.  A way to make the study of Astronomy more challenging and thought provoking is to add in Exploring planets with Blooms Taxonomy.  A great hands-on activity is painting and hanging solar systems!  Here is one of our solar systems:

Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy

Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stars and Constellations

NAMC (North American Montessori Center) has the MOST beautiful Montessori Teacher albums I’ve ever seen!  I purchased both the Lower and Upper Elementary manuals.  Here is a sample from their Astronomy album for The Lifecycle of Stars.   Constellation nomenclature cards can be found at Montessori for Everyone; Here is a constellation set of cards that I think are so beautiful, I wonder how hard it would be to make?  And one last set by Nature Watch.  Here is an accordion style foldout for constellations.  Love this one too!  

 

Moon

Phases of the Moon is a fun study!  Here are free nomenclature cards and the control card from Etc Montessori.  The kiddos will love recreating the phases of the moon with Oreo cookies!  A SURE hit with the kiddos 🙂  

 

Copernicus and Ptolemy Models

The Copernicus versus the Ptolemy Model of the solar system has a great Copernicus Model to compare to the Ptolemy Model.  We did not do these as lap books, but as a control for using the planets to create the two different models.  Planets are easy to make out of felt, or you can purchase them pretty inexpensively on Etsy.  This set is BEAUTIFUL… but VERY expensive…   One set that I first saw in the Montessori Child Magazine published by Tim Seldin, and that we eventually purchased (and still have) is from Priority Montessori.  They are beautiful and sturdy!  But, expensive.

 

Sun

Sun Nomenclature cards can be purchased inexpensively from Montessori Print Shop and they are beautiful!  Also from Montessori for Everyone.  We actually purchased the entire CD of their works from Montessori for Everyone.  It was very affordable compared to buying them one by one and you have pretty much all the cards you have to have to teach.  We made lots more and purchased more… but we didn’t have to, we wanted to.

 

Layers of the Atmosphere

There are only a few places creating the Layers of the Atmosphere, and Montessori for Everyone has them for free.  

 

Layers of the Earth

Layers of the Earth nomenclature cards are beautiful and Cultivating Dharma has them for free!  and creating this with play-doh was one of the more memorable experiments we did!  We didn’t do this for the layers of the sun, but should have! 

 

Clouds

Finally Types of Clouds is provided by Etc. Montessori and they are beautiful!

 

Math

A way to bring in some math to the astronomy study is to calculate your My Weight on Other Planets and My Age on other Planets!

I think I have given you all I have except the Apologia Chapter’s 3 part cards.  I’ll have to pdf them because they are too large to post word documents.  I’ll try to get the loaded in the next few weeks.  

Until then… 

Note:  Items above are linked to my Amazon affiliate account.  The very small amount of money that we make from our affiliation with Amazon is used to augment our curriculum needs.  

Addicted to the A-ha Moment – Homeschool Version

By: Trish Corlew3 Comments

A-ha Moment Artwork by Gayle Cunningham

A-ha Moment Artwork by Gayle Cunningham

 

A-ha!

We all do it!  After we present a lesson, especially an abstract one, we watch, wait, looking for that moment.  The moment of recognition, of clarity, of understanding.  That moment when we see the flash of enlightenment in their eyes!  That moment… the AHA moment!  THAT moment is why I homeschool!!!  I cherish the Aha’s!  

I have to assume that this moment is why there are teachers in the public schools!  These moments are so addictive!  As homeschooling families, these moments take on even more meaning to us.  These moments are not only validation that our children ARE learning, it is confirmation that we CAN teach!  

A-ha moments in our house usually accompany a literal physical change in our children’s demeanor where they show a small, shy grin of acknowledgement or sheer jubilation and high-fives of congratulations! Depending on which child experienced the A-ha moment, his personality and how big an A-ha it was… but, we usually see some visible evidence of the moment!  

One of my biggest regrets is not cataloging, organizing, and preserving those moments from my perspective, a mom’s perspective.  This is where journaling, scrapbooking, vlogging or blogging can become a dynamic piece of a homeschooling family.   I know I have already heard … when will I have time.  I can assure you, when our children are grown and gone, we will ask why didn’t we make the time to record these blessings?  I already feel that way now even with my children still at home… I mourn the lost opportunities of documenting their earlier years.  So, I’d like to encourage you to investigate what works best for your lifestyle to document your own children’s AHA moments and start NOW!  I have been looking around to see if there is an A-ha Journal and haven’t found anything that inspired me… So, In an effort to help all of us get better at this, I’d like to ask if you are a parent that has already started capturing the A-ha moments, please share with us!  How do you capture these beautiful moments?  Do you have a blog, a scrapbook, a portfolio, what?  I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing!!!!  

 

Teach Our Children How to Thrive

By: Trish Corlew5 Comments

Earlier this week a good friend introduced me to Logan LaPlante.  Logan is a 13 year old homeschooled teen that lives in Tahoe.  I loved the confidence this 13 year old demonstrated when presenting at their local TEDx conference. He is self-assured, funny, charismatic, bright, enthusiastic and hungry to learn…  His presentation is about Hackschooling, which is so Montessori (follow the child)!!  He wants to focus on how to THRIVE in life.  This boy gets it!  That is our goal as parents, to Teach our Children How to Thrive!  Let me introduce you to Logan!  

 

 

Logan started his presentation with THE question children hear most often… “What do you want to be when you grow up?”.  I don’t know about you, but I’m almost fifty years old and I’m still trying to answer that question for myself!  And that is my point.  For most of us, we are still dabbling, attempting to identify those things that bring us the most shalom (Hebrew for peace, completeness, wholeness).   I don’t think most of us had the luxury of even contemplating what those things might be when we were younger.    

Teach our children how to thrive

I love the question that Logan posed… “What if we based education on the study and practice of being happy and healthy”?  Here at Live and Learn Farm, we are focused on doing just that!  We teach our children that thriving is more important than JUST having a job; being happy (in life and career) is more important than being wealthy; and our health is more valuable than gold.  We focus on trying to help our children determine what they love to do, so they can explore career choices doing “that”.  I’ve come to the conclusion … if you love your work, it’s never a chore!  

Our faith, our love of nature, and our belief in life-long learning is the foundation that everything else is built upon.  Introducing experiences and encouraging exploration is an important aspect of our homeschool, in other words, we encourage our boys to “practice” being happy, healthy and engaged!  Currently they are engaged in art, music, writing, photography, gardening, sports, camping, hiking, raising farm animals, game development, and slide motion videos as various past-times.  Some of these are new interests and some are waning interests… but they are all being explored and we, as parents, are actively encouraging them.

WE have to be the innovators on how we educate our children.  Are we going to take the easy way out?  Remember the children are watching!  Are we going to use a curriculum that keeps our children in the house, on the computer or in a book?  Or do want them living and experiencing life as they learn their curriculum?  In order to encourage our children to think differently, to live life differently, to focus on things other than the dollar or the easy way out… we have to model it for them!  Just like photographers and artists look at landscapes differently, we must do the same!  We only get one chance with our children… I encourage you to examine everything you teach, how you teach it, and why.  Examine what you are modeling…  I challenge you today to take their curriculum to the next level.  Refocus, recommit and re-engage!  Teach your children how to thrive!!!  

Until next time….

 

 

 

 

 

Daylight Saving Time Myths and Facts

By: Trish Corlew2 Comments

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’ll go ahead and tell you, I love to use books and current events to strike my boys’ imagination!  They all love to read and I feed their imaginations and curiosity with beautifully illustrated, thought provoking books!  One of my favorites about the concept of time is About Time, A First Look at Time and Clocks. If you have not introduced calendars and clocks to your children, this is a great time and way to do so.  So, let’s get to my article about Daylight Saving Time Myths and Facts!

Daylight Saving Time Myths and Facts

In 2013, Daylight Saving Time (DST) started March 10th at 2:00 AM local time. This year, 2014, it starts March 8th. We move our clocks forward one hour in the spring (spring forward) and move our clocks back one hour in the fall. This got me wondering … who thought up this strange clock change to begin with! I’ve always heard that it was for the farmers to get more work in during the daylight hours and that it was originated in the US. Both of these appear to be persistent myths!  Since we are now focused on farming, I wanted to know what the facts are surrounding DST!!

Daylight Saving Time Spring Forward[/caption]So many sources credit Ben Franklin with creating DST. However, it seems most credible sources are now acknowledging that it originated in London,  England. A home builder, by the name of William Willett led the first campaign to implement daylight saving time after an early morning horseback ride in the countryside around London. With his own money, in 1907 he printed a brochure, The Waste of Daylight. It seems Willett became quite obsessed with this idea, but when he died in 1915, it had not been implemented in England.The first country to actually implement DST was Germany during World War I, in order to conserve electricity. In 1918, the United States followed suit as a wartime measure.

There are still states in the United States that do not recognize Daily Saving Time, Hawaii and Arizona. Many communities do not change their clocks nor do some of the US territories. In reality, only about one-quarter of the world’s population, in approximately 70 countries, observe daylight saving time.

What is the purpose for Daylight Saving Time?

To get better use of the daylight by having the sun rise one hour later in the morning and set one hour later in the evening.

There are several persistent myths surrounding daylight saving time that continue to be passed down. Here are a few:

    • Ben Franklin did not create this idea behind Daylight Saving Time.
    • It was not started in America for the farmers… they were actually opposed to it.  It was a wartime measure.  
    • There is not a federal rule or law which dictates that states or territories observe daylight saving time.  In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the start and end dates for daylight saving time but allowed individual states to remain on standard time if their legislatures allowed it.

So, now you know too!  Until next time…

Free Filibuster Lesson

By: Trish Corlewcomment

 Filibuster Lesson edited

 

Current Events Study:  Senate Filibuster

 

 

 

(Note) If you have not introduced civics yet, you will need to cover a bit of background information to help your children grasp what a filibuster is.   A great site to use is:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html.  We love the Schoolhouse Rocks videos to help teach a concept.  Here is “I’m Just a Bill”:  

 

 

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A Montessori Love Affair!

By: Trish Corlew3 Comments

Confession time… I’ve had a Montessori Love Affair for almost ten years.  I LOVE Montessori materials.  I love everything about them.  I love their colors (or lack of).  I love their weight or their daintiness, depending on which works I am admiring.  I love their design.  I love how they are presented.  I love the care and thought that goes into how to best present each work.  I love the shelves they sit on.  I love the clean, uncluttered environments they reside in.  I love the methodology and thought behind the works.  I just love, love, LOVE them.  

 

I remember so vividly the first glimpse I had into the genius behind the Montessori pedagogy and materials.  My oldest son was in the primary (early childhood) classroom at our local Montessori school.  I was a drop-my-kids-off kind of mom and this was my first observation of the classroom with students working.  I sat quietly in my assigned, child-sized seat watching.  I remember being a bit bewildered as I watched the students go about their daily work.  I watched children blissfully content with being focused on the task at hand, whatever that task was.  I watched works being restored in their proper place with great care.  I saw teachers giving lessons to small groups while the other students stayed on task in their own areas.  I watched children taking turns and waiting for the opportunity to use a favored work.  I was mesmerized!  After my observation period concluded, I sat with the head of school and gleefully offered to purchase more of the particular favored work.  She smiled, patted my hand, and patiently explained why they didn’t need another of those works.  I WAS HOOKED!  My Love Affair officially began then and there!  I knew my children would be taught in a Montessori environment!    

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Paths of Exploration – Columbus Unit Lesson 1 Supplemental Resources

By: Trish Corlew2 Comments

Below are my Supplemental Resources for Paths of Exploration (POE) by Trail Guide to Learning for the Columbus Unit, Lesson 1.  Our goal is to add more hands-on activities to this wonderful curriculum!  (Note this is a long article, so I have chosen to use the “read more” tab below in order to shorten the articles on the home page… so if you are interested, please be sure to click the “read more” button right below the share buttons for the various social media sites OR the Title of this post).  

 

Paths of Exploration Supplemental Hands-On Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 1 Part 1:

Compass Rose – A great (and free) compass work by Montessori Print Shop.  

Montessori Print shop Compass Rose

 

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Pickin’ Chickens!!!

By: Trish Corlew6 Comments

Today we decided to get our “chickens in a row” and pick the chickens we want to add to our flock of Rhode Island Reds. We fell in love with Rachel, the red frizzled cochin from Kathy, The Chicken Chick!  So we knew one of the breeds we were adding would be frizzled bantam cochin!  (Note this is a long article, so I have chosen to use the “read more” tab below in order to shorten the articles on the home page… so if you are interested, please be sure to click the “read more” button right below the share buttons for the various social media sites).  See what a lovely lady little Rachel is:  

 

Rachel

Our current coop / pen combinations severely restrict our options for adding chickens.  The way the coop and pens are laid out now, we can only prevent two breeds from mingling.  Therefore, we decided to go with all bantam / cochins.  We ordered them from a new hatchery we found Welp, Inc.  They have been in business since 1929, so they are certainly not a “new business” just new to us!  We will provide a review of this hatchery once we receive the chicks (they will not ship out until 4/9).  Below are pictures of the chickens we ended up pickin’ today:

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2012-2013 Homeschool Curriculum

By: Trish Corlewcomment

 

We have homeschooled now for four years.  This is our 2012-2013 Homeschool Curriculum.  Prior to homeschooling, our boys attended a small local private Montessori school, where I was on the board for the school. Our boys have reached the point of thinking and working abstractly, so most of the Montessori materials are no longer used in our curriculum. So what do we now?  Come & see!!

I am very thankful that we stumbled blindly into a Montessori school! It has been a complete blessing to our family and continues to be … it is how we approach learning, education and life in general. So, although we have very traditional homeschool material now, our approach is still firmly grounded in the Montessori pedagogy.

 

#1 (oldest son) 7th Grade:

Exercises in English G
Grammar / English: Loyola Press Exercises in English G
Writing:IEW / Beautiful Feet Geography Study
IEW Beutiful Feet Geography Literature
Literature: GA Henty Books (Cat of Bubastes) and Jim Hodges Study GuideCat of Bubastes
Spelling: All About Spelling 3-5All About Spelling 3
Vocabulary: Loyola Press Vocabulary in Action GVocabulary in Action G
 
Algebra: Video Text Algebra II (CLEP when complete!)VideoText Algebra
World History / Geography: Mystery of History IIMOH 2
American History / Geography: Paths of Exploration /Trail Guide to LearningPOE TGTL
Civics: God and Government Volume 1God and Government 1
Science: Apologia Physical ScienceApologia Physical Science
Logic: Fallacy DetectiveFallacy Detective
Foreign Language: Croghan Language Academy SpanishCroghan Language Academy
Economics: Starting a Micro Business for Teensmicrobus-workbk
Physical Education: Soccer, Karate
Scripture Studies: Torah, Writings, Prophets, NT
Electives: Art, PhotographyVirtual homeschool group name

 

 

 

(Middle Son) 6th Grade:

Grammar / English: Loyola Press Exercises in English FExercises in English F
Writing:IEW / Beautiful Feet Geography Study
IEW Beutiful Feet Geography Literature
Literature: GA Henty Books (Cat of Bubastes) and Jim Hodges Study Guide Cat of Bubastes
Spelling: All About Spelling 3-5All About Spelling 3
Vocabulary: Loyola Press Vocabulary in Action EVocabulary in Action E
Creative Writing: IEW / Beautiful Feet Geography Study
Algebra: Video Text Algebra I (CLEP when completes II!)VideoText Algebra
World History / Geography: Mystery of History IIMOH 2
American History / Geography: Paths of Exploration /Trail Guide to LearningPOE TGTL
Civics: God and Government Volume 1God and Government 1
Science: Apologia General ScienceGeneral Science
Logic: Fallacy DetectiveFallacy Detective
Foreign Language: Croghan Language Academy SpanishCroghan Language Academy
Economics: Starting a Micro Business for Teensmicrobus-workbk
Physical Education: Soccer, Karate
Scripture Studies: Torah, Writings, Prophets, NT
Electives: Art, PhotographyVirtual homeschool group name

 

 

#3 (Youngest Son) 3rd Grade

Grammar / English: Loyola Press Exercises in English DExercises in English D
Writing:IEW / Beautiful Feet Geography Study
IEW Beutiful Feet Geography Literature
Literature: GA Henty Books (Cat of Bubastes) and Jim Hodges Study GuideCat of Bubastes
Spelling: All About Spelling 3-5All About Spelling 3
Vocabulary: Loyola Press Vocabulary in Action DVocabulary in Action D
Creative Writing: IEW / Beautiful Feet Geography Study
Teaching Textbooks Pre-AlgebraTeaching Textbooks Pre Algebra Montessori Measurement (EDUTC)Edutc Measurement    Montessori Area and Volume from Houston Montessori Center
World History / Geography: Mystery of History IIMOH 2
American History / Geography: Paths of Exploration /Trail Guide to LearningPOE TGTL
Science: Apologia Exploring Creation Zoology 3Exploring Creation Zoology 3
Logic: Fallacy DetectiveFallacy Detective
Foreign Language: Croghan Language Academy SpanishCroghan Language Academy
Economics: Starting a Micro Business for Teensmicrobus-workbk
Physical Education: Soccer, Karate
Scripture Studies: Torah, Writings, Prophets, NT
Electives: Art, PhotographyVirtual homeschool group name

 

Note:  Items above are linked to my Amazon affiliate account.  The very small amount of money that we make from our affiliation with Amazon is used to augment our curriculum needs.  Photos are shared from Amazon.