Montessori Home Classroom on a Budget

Copyright MontessoriCandy.blogspot.com

Many of you are on a budget and looking to set up a Montessori home classroom inexpensively. Here are a few tips that have helped my family in setting up our home classroom.

Start with Practical Life

The practical life area of the classroom is the foundation in Montessori. This is also the easiest area to start your home classroom with. You may not even be planning to home school your child/children through their school years, yet the Montessori practical life exercises will benefit your children regardless. It can begin with a little table and shelf on the side of the kitchen where your child practices slicing a banana, or spooning cheerios in to a bowl. Just look around the kitchen cupboards or craft cupboards. You may find that you already have a lot of the items needed to get started with practical life. Do a search for Montessori blogs to get free ideas on activities you can set up using easy to find items.

Shop Around

You can find inexpensive book shelves at stores like Target, yard/garage sales, craigslist, public school auctions or surplus sales, and thrift stores. The same goes for child size tables and chairs. A couple of years ago I found a very nice small wooden table with two chairs at a Savers thrift store for $25! I thought it was a great deal, but you may even find something similar for less at one of the places mentioned above. Thrift stores also usually have sections for wooden items and baskets. I've found some lovely wooden bowls, natural baskets, and wooden trays at thrift stores and you can find a lot of practical life items here, as well as at craft and dollar stores. You can also check with used bookstores for books on Montessori theory and practice if your local library does not carry them.

Ask Around

I wanted my children to have a Montessori education so, so, so bad. Bad enough, that I literally called around to several local Montessori schools and asked if I could buy their "left overs". I know that some Montessori schools will get rid of items that are missing 1 piece of something, or if the wood is starting to look worn out. I figured that if it was something like a knobless cylinder that was missing, I could just make and paint the missing one's, etc. Another thing I did was post a wanted ad on craigslist. I figured I had nothing to lose by asking if there was anyone out there who had Montessori materials or manuals they would like to sell me. You can also place a WTB (Want To Buy) post on the Montessori Swap Yahoo group, which always has used Montessori items for sale. Ebay can be another good place to find used items, however be prepared to have to bid for the items for the most part.

The Printer is your Friend

The digital age we live in today can help you acquire Montessori materials easier than before. Places like Montessori Print Shop offer a ton of Montessori and educational printables at a fraction of the cost! Choose instant download items a la cart, or order entire cd packages. Moveable alphabet for $1.99 and Moveable alphabet cards for just $2.69? Yes please! Check out Montessori for Everyone for a wonderful selection as well. If you'd like to do some Catholic Montessori lessons at home, you can also download Elizabeth Papandrea's pdf manual for $30.

Go Digital
Have an iPad? There are some absolutely wonderful Montessori apps for the iPad (Sorry, I'm not familiar with android). Check out app previews before purchasing an app claiming to be "Montessori"! Some of them can be nothing more than the equivalent to loud, visually obnoxious electronic toys. Here are a few of the Montessori style app companies that we've purchased from and have been pleased with: Preschool University, Mobile Montessori, and Montessorium. We certainly use other apps in our homeschool as well (I can go over those another time), but these are most similar to the traditional Montessori materials. Think an Ipad is too expensive? We were able to purchase an iPad 1 and an iPad 2 on Craigslist for about $100-$150 each. Is it worth it? Yes! As an educational tool, the iPad has been wonderful, but I would suggest that you definitely choose wisely and subject the apps to a Montessori "test" regardless if they claim to be Montessori or not.

Ask yourself, the following questions:
1. Is it visually cluttered or are they nice and simple, focusing on the main purpose of the activity?
2. Does it make a lot of noises, or perhaps distract children with "rewards"? If you find a good app that is noisy, you could always use the mute button and turn off rewards if possible.

Don't fall into the trap of letting your iPad "babysit" your children. Be sure to set time limits and goals for Montessori iPad activities.

Happy Birthday, We got you a Binomial Cube!

Birthday's and Holiday's are the perfect time to ask for Montessori items for your children. If you have the type of relatives and friends that ask you what your child needs, ask them for gift certificates from places like Montessori Print Shop, Montessori Services, Montessori for Everyone and Montessori Outlet. If they prefer to purchase the item themselves, start a wish list for these places and let them know the items you would like for your child.

Have you tried any of the ideas above? How did it go for you?

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

Montessori Geography Boxes

From August 2009:
Montessori Geography Boxes

A Montessori Moment

Copyright Montessoricandy.com

Here's a cute pic of the kids just hanging out. I love it when they work together. Even the older children who've already mastered the colored tablets, were enjoying spending time with the little one's. The older children taking joy and practicing patience in teaching the younger one's, and the younger children excited to be working with the materials alongside the old kids. I think it's sweet, and I feel blessed to be able to be a part of it, even if just as an observer.

Practical Life Supplies

Another place I didn't mention you can get a wonderful deal on child size kitchen items is your local restaurant supply company. A lot of times you will find that they sell to the general public and carry many of the same items as some of the Montessori catalogs do. Find out if there is a restaurant supply company in your area and take a catalog with you. Look for items like ramekins, small pitchers or creamers, condiment bowls, etc. You may even find some cultural items like Asian rice bowls and sushi dishes.

Be sure to also check your local ethnic food stores for child size kitchen and practical life items. At a Mexican grocery store in my area, you can find a child size wash board, mortar and pestle, and child size broom. We are also very lucky to have a diverse Asian market nearby and have found some nice pieces to add to our practical life kitchen items.

Have you shopped at an ethnic food store or restaurant supply company for your Montessori classroom?

Cleaning up & Clearing out!

It's that time of the year again folks! Cleaning up and clearing out the classroom to make way and be ready for the school year this Fall. I've been contemplating what to sell and what to keep so that all of the children will fit in our little home classroom. So far, here are a few items I've decided to sell:

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  6-9 Botany Manual in like new condition! This is their latest manual. Asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  6-9 Zoology Manual in like new condition! This is their latest manual. Asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  3-6 Classroom guide, also asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

A set of 12 beautiful insects in acrylic blocks for observation. $20 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A Sold

Montessori Colored Tablets 3rd box. $40 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

Email me at montessoricandy at gmail.com if you are interested in any of the items mentioned above!

Speaking of bugs in acrylic, here's a link to an eHow article on how to make your very own!
How To Set Bugs in Acrylic

U.S.A. Map Giveaway!

Copyright Montessori Print Shop

Jennifer at Montessori Print Shop is giving away wooden U.S.A. Montessori Puzzle map. She's so sweet and generous! Check out my interview with her HERE, and be sure to enter the giveaway at Jennifer's Montessori Print Shop blog.

Sponsor News & Fabulous Montessori Candy!

I'll be taking a little time off from blogging during Holy Week and Easter to spend time with the family. Before things slow down around here, I'd like to share a few items of note from my sponsors.

My Works Montessori is offering a special deal to Montessori Candy readers during the month of April. Check it out!

Needing a special gift with the true meaning of Easter? Check out Catholic Child Catalog's great books, CD's, DVD's and more under their Lent and Easter Category!

I've been really interested in learning more about the Montessori method for ages 0-3 lately. Let me know if you've got any good suggestions for reading or blog posts! I noticed Montessori Education Supplies has a nice selection of toddler items. Do any of you use these items in the home?

Finally, have you seen what Jennifer has been doing with Montessori Print Shop lately? Three words describe it: Oh, my, goodness! Seriously, Jennifer has done an amazing job at sharing some wonderful resources and information for all of us! You have got to check out her blog post to see all the new stuff she's been so generous to share. My favorites are the "How to" and "Scope and Sequence" sections. I really just cannot say enough about how much great info she is providing. I just love it! Jennifer has got the Montessori Candy and she is handing it out like it's Halloween! You go girl! Go ahead and check it out!

Montessori Print Shop 3-Part Card Storage. Picture Copyright Montessori Print Shop.

Free Montessori Candy Planning Template!

Copyright Susana L. Click on picture to view larger.

Sometimes I come across a book I think will be great for the upcoming season, theme, etc. As a Montessori inspired homeschooler, I love to display books that have to do with the various themes and topics the children are working with. I created this template to use for my library book/media planning purposes.You can see how I use it in the example above, and I've also gone ahead and made a FREE one for you to print out and use too! The categories I list are:

Seasonal

For Fun

Math
Language

Religion
History

Geography (can include both cultural and physical)

Botany

Zoology

Science
Art
Music

What's great about this template is that you can use it for planning no matter what style of schooling or child care you use! Montessori, Charlotte Mason, preschool, daycare, etc. You can even print one out to plan for each grade if you like! Another thing you can include on this template is pdf's you'd like to purchase for your upcoming topics like this one from Montessori Print Shop:  Easter Cards and Booklet

I hope using this sheet will help you in your planning endeavors. Please feel free to print it out for your personal use only, and be sure to let your friends know about it as well!

Montessori Candy Planning Template

Did you enjoy this post? Are you using my free template to plan what books you check out? I love to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment and let me know you've stopped by!

You can now follow me using Google Friend Connect, Twitter, Facebook, or by the various subscription options in the right hand sidebar.

Montessori Education Supplies Review

Montessori Education Supplies is a new company offering  quality Montessori supplies for toddlers and up!  My family has been purchasing Montessori materials since about 2005, so I was very intrigued to find out there was a new supplier on the market. Recently, MES loaned me a few of their items to review. Since it is a new company, I wasn't familiar with their quality, but was quite pleased when the items they sent arrived. I received a set of knobless cylinders, a moveable alphabet, and constructive triangles to check out and test with the children. I was impressed with the beautiful quality of the items and the children wanted to use them right away!

 The knobless cylinders came in lovely strong boxes, and the colors on the cylinders themselves were attractive and glossy. I also really liked how the cylinders had a nice weight to them.

 

 
The constructive triangles were nice and consistent in quality. As you can see, my little one was really enjoying putting them together and even making some configurations of his own!

The moveable alphabet was also very nice and sturdy. I've had a couple of sets of moveable alphabets in the past and had problems with some of the letters coming apart. Montessori Education Supplies moveable alphabet seemed tough enough to be handled by the eager hands of little one's! Montessori Education Supplies carries various sizes and styles of letters. From cursive to print and small to large, you can even choose from a few different colors for the alphabet that best suites your needs. I personally prefer the traditional red consonants and blue vowels to the black ones they sent me.

Montessori Education Supplies is offering Montessori Candy Readers a FREE gift with your first order, plus 10% off your first order as well by entering code FIRST2011

Want  to find out more about Montessori Education Services? Check out their story below!

OUR STORY

"The famous Montessori learning environments require carefully designed and scientifically developed teaching materials. Montessori educational supplies must be engaging and attractive to children, encouraging them to explore concepts deeply and comprehensively at their own pace.

When my Aunt Nilu was a Montessori teacher in Canada, she periodically brought home educational products that needed repair or needed to be enhanced. Because he had an engineering background, Uncle Andy was able to fix many of the damaged items and enhance them to be more functional. Before long, Uncle Andy started the business of supplying Montessori school products, making sure to source exceptional-quality products.

Several years ago, Uncle Andy wanted to expand his business supplying high-quality, durable Montessori teaching materials in the US. It’s not often that you find a business opportunity that is both rewarding and fun so we began our business, Montessori Education Supplies.

Since that time, we’ve made it our mission to offer US Montessori educators smart, engaging, durable products that my uncle would approve of. We look forward to forming long-lasting relationships with schools, individual teachers, home schools, and parents dedicated to helping children grow and learn with the Montessori philosophy.

We supply products in all the key Montessori categories: Toddlers, Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, Geography, Botany, Zoology, and even include Real Life Cycles!"

Loving Land and Water Right Now!

March might just be your lucky month! Montessori Print Shop is offering 15% off of everything in the store! The offer is valid from March 1st-March 14th, using coupon code EEM5664. Jennifer at Montessori Print Shop has been pretty busy and coming out with new products all the time. I'm eying her Land and Water forms books pictured above, along with her Montessori land and water 3-Part photo cards!

Montessori Education Supplies

I am happy to announce Montessori Education Supplies as a new sponsor at Montessori Candy! I have already had the opportunity to see the quality of some of their materials, and I can happily say that I think it is great! As a reader of Montessori Candy, you can enter code MC20 to redeem a Free Gift on your first order...PLUS 10% off your first order by entering code FIRST2011. Check them out!

Laminating Montessori Printed Materials

How do you laminate your Montessori Printables?

I used to go to a local store and pay 90 cents per foot, and then someone told me about the local public school system's teacher supply store. I was surprised to find that they allowed home educators to shop there and benefit from the great low prices. Instead of paying 90 cents per foot, I now only have to pay 25 cents per foot! They have a lot of other goodies really cheap there too, like printing paper, card stock, free use of their dies and die cut machines, and on and on.

If you haven't already, save yourself some money and call your local public school system to ask if they have something like this that you can take advantage of too!

Organizing Montessori Materials: Montessori Printables

Have a some of Montessori Print Shop's Three Part Cards and other materials to print out? Evelyn, of 2 Pequenos Traviesos, has been so kind as to allow me to re-post her idea for organizing Montessori printable materials. She posted this article on her blog and has many more ideas to share regarding Montessori in the home over at her blog. Evelyn describes her blog as:

"A blog about 2 Little Rascals, 4 and 8 years old brothers, and Homeschooling, Bilingual Education (Spanish/English), Montessori, Arts and Crafts, Nature, Family Life, Catholic faith, Catechism of Good Shepherd and some CRAZINESS in between. We make our best effort in having an abundant life in HIM with a not so abundant budget."

Organizando Material.../ Organizing Material...
By Evelyn of 2 Pequenos Traviesos

Un lugar para cada cosa y cada cosa en su lugar...
Cómo me gustaría hacer honor a esta frase!

Pero mi historia es diferente aunque hago mi mejor esfuerzo por estar organizada.

***

A place for everything and everything in its place

How nice would it be to honor this phrase!

But I got a whole different story, although I make my best in being organized.

Así lucía la repisa de mi casa hasta hace unos días...

***

Just a couple of days ago, my buffet looked like this...

Afortunadamente, se me ocurrió darle uso a unas bandejas para organizar papeleo que tenía en la casa. Éstas estaban ocupando espacio y llenándose de polvo pero ahora tienen un gran propósito: organizar mi material Montessori impreso!

***

Fortunately, I thought of a couple of trays I had sitting around the house doing nothing, taking up space and picking up a huge amount of dust. Now, suddenly, these trays have a purpose in life: to organize all my Montessori printables!

TO CUT- Esta bandeja es para el material que necesito recortar antes de laminarse.
 
This tray is for the material that needs to be cut before getting laminated.

TO PASTE- Esta bandeja es para material que necesita pegarse sobre cartulina, o que necesita pega, antes de laminarse.
 
This tray is for the material that needs to be pasted on cardstock, or needs glue in some other way, before getting laminated.

TO LAMINATE- Esta es mi bandeja favorita! Aquí tengo el material completamente listo para laminarse.

This is my favorite tray! Here I keep the material that’s completely ready to get laminated.

TO CUT AGAIN- Todo aquél que ha laminado sabe que después de laminar hay que recortar. Para eso es esta bandeja.
 
Everyone who has laminated before knows that after laminating comes the cutting again.
This is what this tray is for.

Gracias Evelyn! Go ahead and stop by Evelyn's original blog post to say hello!