Montessori Materials Purpose

One of the things I did when I was in the Montessori homeschool co-op, was to put the following information together for the co-op parents. I found this information online and adjusted it to show what we were doing. Because of this, the list will also include the Catholic Montessori materials we were using. Take a look, and maybe it will help you know what some of the materials are for! For those of you who are new to Montessori, I hope this will be a great resource for you!

What The Montessori Materials Do For Your Child

Math
Numeration

Number rods: Learning quantity 1-10, intro to the sequence of numbers

Sandpaper numbers: Teach recognition of written symbols and how to form them

Spindle box w/ 45 spindles: Introduction of zero, sequence of numbers 0-9

Numeral line: Learning to count 0-9, arrange numerals in sequence

Cards & counters: Recognition of numbers 1-10, visual impression of odd and even numbers

Memory game: Development of memory retention of quantity, internalization of numeration
Decimal System/Operations

1-9000 small and large numeral cards: Acquaint child with written form of units, tens, hundreds, and thousands

Golden beads, 10 squaresfor banking, 100 squares for banking, 1000 squares for banking:

Visual impression of units, tens, hundreds, and thousands; enables child to see feel, and experience math problems concretely
Linear Counting
Short bead stair, Bead stair sets, 1-10 w/ wooden box: Counting by one, preparation for abstraction

Bead chains for cubing: Introduce skip counting, increase ability to rote count

Bead chains for squaring: Preparation for skill counting, preparation for multiplication

100 board w/ tiles: To develop memory for numerals 1-100, reinforce rote counting 1-100

Teen boards w/ storage, Ten boards w/ storage: Learn names and sequence of 11-99 and associate names with quantities

Stamp game:Uses concrete material for manipulation of the four operations (+, x, ÷, -)

Memorization & Abstraction

Addition strip board: Presentation of basic addition facts, analysis of number

Multiplication board: Understanding and memorization of multiplication facts

Addition charts: Memorization of basic addition facts

Multiplication charts: Memorization of basic multiplication facts

Subtraction charts: Memorization of basic subtraction facts

Subtraction strip board: Presentation of basic subtraction facts in concrete form

Division board: Understanding the process of division, presentation of basic division equations

Division charts Memorization of basic division facts

Positive Snake game: Preparation for addition, reinforcement of exchanging, research of ten

Fractions

Fraction insets: Expore concept of fractional differences

Fraction skittles: Introduce concept of dividing whole into parts

Time/Money

Wooden clock: Introduce concept of time, hours, and minutes

Geometry

Geometric solids: Develop concept of shapes

Geometric cabinet: Develop visual memory of shapes, discrimination of form, develops geometry vocabulary

Constructive Triangles: Refine the visual sense, develop the understanding of shapes and their relationship together

Language

Early Language

Matching cards: Develop skill to match visually

Labeling cards: Support vocabulary development

Patterning cards: Develop visual ability to follow pattern and discriminate patterns

Sequencing cards: Support development of ability to sequence, stimulate oral language development

Classification cards: Support ability to perceive likenesses/differences, develop skill to sort items into categories

Key Sounds

Sandpaper letters: Recognition of forms by touch and sight; knowledge of sounds of the letters; muscular memory of the forms of the letters, preparation for writing

Moveable Alphabet

Moveable alphabet: Analysis of words as a preparation for reading, writing, and spelling

Mechanical Writing

Metal insets: Child learns and then strengthens pencil grip while studying geometric designs and color combinations
Reading

Phonetic practice readers series: Support child in the phonetic reading process

3 and 4- letter phonics cards: Develop and support the child in the early decoding process

Phonics cards with red vowels and reading strips:Support the child in decoding and isolating the vowel for reading awareness

Puzzle words with sentence strips: Expose the child to words that must be memorized for reading fluency

Phonogram books: Expose the child to the most common irregularities in the English language

Compound words, sets #1, #2 Practice in the study words and their construction

Grammar

Grammar symbols w/ wooden box: Introduce basic concepts of grammar

Farm: Uses objects to identify and develop grammar awareness What The Montessori Materials Do

Sensorial

Visual Discrimination

Pink tower: Discrimination between heights, develops pencil grip, control (also – cubes represent the cubes of the numbers 1-10)

Brown stair: Discrimination of thickness, expanded vocabulary (thick, thin, broad, narrow) prisms represent squares of numbers 1-10

Red rods: Develop sequence of progression, introduce concept of long and short

Knobbed cylinder blocks: Discrimination of dimensions, use of pencil grip, vocabulary) large, small, thick, think shallow, deep, tall, short)

Chromatic Discrimination

Color boxes: Chromatic awareness, vocabulary of colors, discrimination between the shade gradations

Auditory Sense

Sound cylinders: Training ears to listen carefully and distinguish between slightly different sounds

Tactile Materials

Fabric matching set: Develop tactile sense, further develop concept of textures

Pressure cylinders set: Develop concept of pressures

Touch tablets w/ box: Develop tactile sense, further develop the concept of rough / smooth

Rough/smooth boards: Develop tactile sense, preparation for writing

Baric tablets w/ box: Refine the tactile sense, further develop the concept of weight

Thermic tablets w/ box:Further develop the tactile sense through temperatures

Discrimination of Form

Geometric cabinet: Develops visual memory of shapes, discrimination of form, develops vocabulary of geometry

Mystery bag w/ small geometric shapes: Develop the concept of distinction through touch

Binomial cube: 3-D puzzle whose pieces represent the binomial equation (a +b)3

Trinomial cube: 3-D puzzle whose pieces represent the binomial equation (a +b + c)3

Olfactory Sense

Smelling bottles set: Develop and refine the sense of smell

Gustatory Sense

Tasting bottle set: Develop and refine the sense of taste

Culture
Cultural Geography

Flags of North America w/ stand: Identify the flags of North America

Continent pictures: Expose the child to pictures of life from around the world

Continent 3-part cards: To identify and visually discriminate the seven continents

Animals 3-part cards for each continent: To recognize and identify different animals from around the world

Biomes 3-part cards for each continent: Recognize and identify the different biomes of the world

World bird cards: To recognize and identify birds around the world

Physical Geography

Continent, US, and World maps: Learn to recognize continents, countries, and states

Continent globe (sandpaper): Introduction to earth as land and water

Continent globe (color-coded): Introduction to vocabulary and concept of “continent”

Land & water 3-part cards, Land & water forms: Learn to recognize & identify different land forms

Physical/Earth Science

Magnet/non-magentic comparison: Discriminate between magnetic and non-magnetic objects

Living/non-living comparison: Recognize the difference between living and non-living organisms

Planet cards: Recognize the different planets

Zoology

Parts of the animals 3-part cards, Parts of the animals books, Parts of the animals puzzle:

Identify the different parts of each animal through concrete representation

Botany

Botany cabinet w/ cards, Parts of the plants 3-part cards, Parts of the plants books:

Develop visual memory of leaf shapes, discrimination of form

Parts of the flower puzzle: Identify the different parts of a flower

Practical Life
Gross & Fine Motor skills

Pouring & transferring activities: Builds strength in thumb and fingers for writing, development of carefulness in movements and concentration

Care of Self & Environment
Washing tables: Development of concentration and control of movement, following sequence of directions, preparation for writing

Polishing (plant leaves, shoe, glass, etc.): Care of self and environment, muscular control, following set pattern to obtain desired results

Dressing frames: Independent care of person
Communication, Manners & Social Custom

Grace and courtesy (greeting others, walking quietly, asking for something politely, etc.):
Development of common courtesy and social graces, development of confidence in the ability to communicate and interact well with others

Catholic Living & Learning
Liturgical Year:
Prayers, holy cards, stories, discussion, snacks & crafts: Recognize the liturgical color used by the Church on specific days, Celebrate the saints and feast days the Church has given us, give the children a sense of beauty and joy for their faith, Identify and reinforce characteristics to imitate in the lives of the saints
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Child sized Mass kit, Mass 3-part cards: Recognize and identify various objects used for the Mass
Wooden stand for miniature priest vestments: Recognize and identify appropriate liturgical colors for the season or feast day, recognize and identify names of priestly vestments
Parables, Stories of the life of Jesus, Figurines and objects depicting parables etc.:
Familiarize and deepen the understanding of parables, catechism, and life of Jesus. Memorization, contemplation, and desire to be close to the Good Shepherd.

Digital Catholic Montessori Catechesis Albums for Home Use
Level I (Ages 3-6) Level II (Ages 6-9)

PAPYPAL
$75

These albums are scanned digital files and include lessons on parables like The Good Shepherd, the Mass, and more! Receive your PDF albums via email within 24 hours of purchase.

Level I Catechesis Album

Table of Contents


Environment

Introduction to the Atrium

Movement and Nomenclature

The Altar: Level One

The Altar: Level Two

The Altar: Level Three

The Altar: Level Four (The Tabernacle Genuflection)

Sign of the Cross

Liturgical Calendar

Preparation of the Cruets


Geography

Globe and Topographical Map

Puzzle Map

City of Jerusalem


Celebrations

Advent Celebration

Christmas Celebration

Liturgy of the Light

Pentecost Celebration


Prophecy

Prophecy of the Light

Prophecy of the Names

Prophecy of the City

Prophecy of the Mother

Prophecy of the Star


The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd

The Found Sheep

The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd

The Wolf and the Hireling


Parables of the Kingdom

The Mustard Seed

The Pearl of Great Price

The Leaven

The Hidden Treasure

The Wheat Seed

Paschal Parable: The Grain of Wheat


The Infancy Narratives

The Annunciation

The Visitation

The Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds

The Presentation in the Temple

The Adoration of the Magi


Baptism

Baptism: Level One- the Light and the White Garment

Baptism: Level Two- the Water and the Word

Baptism: Level Three-the Gestures and the Oils


The Mass

Preparation of the Chalice

The Cenacle

Gestures of Mass: Lavabo

Gestures of Mass: Consecration

Preparation to Hear the Gospel


Prayers

Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23: 1-3

Hail Mary: Part One

Hail Mary: Part Two

Introduction to the "Our Father"

Maxims

Level II Catechesis Album

Table of Contents

The History of the Kingdom of Heaven

    The Unity of the History

    The History of the Gifts

    What Is the Bible?

Geography

    Pin Map

    City of Jerusalem with Passion Narratives

Prophecy

    Prophecy of the Light (Second Presentation)

    Synthesis of the Prophecies

    Prophecy of the Peaceful Kingdom

    Prophecy of the Holy Spirit

    Prophecy of the Hills and Valleys

The Good Shepherd

    The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd (Second Presentation)

    The Wolf and the Hireling (Second Presentation)

Parables

    1.  Parables of the Kingdom

            Synthesis of the Parables

    2.  Moral Parables

            The Good Samaritan

            The Insistent Friend

            The Ten Virgins

            The Sower

            The Pharisee and the Publican

            The Wedding Feast

    3.  Parables of Mercy

            The Found Sheep (Second Presentation)

            The Found Coin

The Infancy Narratives

    The Flight into Egypt

    Synthesis of the Infancy Narratives

The Sacraments

    Composite Presentation of Baptism

    The Rite of Baptism

    The Sacrament of Penance

    Summary of the Law

    Overview of Sacramental Preparation

    Meditation 1: The True Vine

    Meditation 2: The True Vine, Second Perspective

    Meditation 3: The Found Sheep and the Found Coin

    Meditation 4: The Prodigal Son

    Meditation 5: The Cure of the Centurion's Servant

    Plan for the First Communion Retreat

The Mass

    Children's Personal Missals

    Synthesis of the Mass

    Origin of the Eucharist

    Altar Definition Cards

    The Consecration

    Re-enactment of the Last Supper

Prayers

    Communal Prayer

    The Lord's Prayer:  Messianic Portion

    The Lord's Prayer:  Entire Prayer

    Maxims

    Psalm 23

Celebrations

    Synthesis of Pentecost

Practical Life

    Match Lighting 

    Calligraphy