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
Here are some snapshots from one of the Farmers Markets we attended in October. Our family loves going to get fresh local produce, listening to live music, sharing chocolate almond croissants and drinking basil lemonade. So much to do and see there! It's always so nice to go there and see familiar faces too. Our family has become known as "the music family" because my husband performs there once a month with his group and my children sometimes join in the fun too!
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We are using these 8x10 posters of Vincentini's depiction of the Stations of the Cross to meditate on our Lords Passion along with a Stations of the Cross for Children type book.
After each station we sing the Stabat Mater, you can hear the verses on this DVD carried by Catholic Child, "The Way of the Cross for Children". Here are a few verses of the Stabat Mater that particularly tug at my heart strings:
We are also enjoying this Printable Lenten Calender from Catholic Icing. Check out Catholic Icing for more great ideas to do with your children during Lent and all through the Liturgical Year!
Finally, Check out Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure. The kids will be sure to love the videos, games, coloring sheets and ideas! Our kids love listening to their Stations of the Cross CD as well as the Sorrowful Mysteries, especially during Lent.
