Comments for Cultivating Dharma http://www.freemontessori.org Materials of a Montessori Teacher Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:23:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Timeline of Scripts – Printer Friendly by Deborah http://www.freemontessori.org/?p=97&cpage=1#comment-319 Deborah Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:23:24 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?p=97#comment-319 Hello Jonathon, First of all, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful timelines. They are greatly appreciated. I had printed both out a month ago, then returned to your site to look at your albums. I had not seen the posts about putting them together when I printed them. I have them together and If it is alright with you, I would like to suggest the way to put them together and your boxes do not need to be removed. I have both of mine finished now and they are terrific. The first thing you need to do is to asign a day for this when you can take the time to do it, print it out and lay the time line on the floor so that you have all of the pieces in the order that they need to be. This is not a quick project, and I can not imagine the loving time that went into making it. Start on the far left side. Cut a piece of scotch tape for the first piece of the timeline to go up and center it on the right hand side {underneath of course} You should have half of that piece of scotch tape sticking out for you to attach your second piece to, then cut the appr. quarter inch strip of the left side of the next page needed and lay the paper down on the first page. Cutting should be done right on the black line or border. If you hold the piece up to the light you will see where you need to cut. Remember you are only to cut the attaching overlaying side of the piece. Continue this process across the timeline doing one row at a time. When it comes to attaching the rows, start from the bottom row. Cut of the same amount clear across the timeline. Place stips of tape again centering across the bottom of row that you are attaching to. Work upwards to do this. Use cheap scotch tape, { making it easy to pull off or to realign the pages. } When you are finished if you have any area where a letter of a word has been cut off, place a very small piece of tape there on the front and print the letter in using a black ink pen. Check all for alignment and turn the timeline over. Starting at the left, carefully rub down any scotch tape that is loose or if it is bunched off from aligning, then repostition or remove. Then you will need to laminate with Contact paper. I started with the front so that I could remove most of the tape from the back. Start on the left side and go top to bottom all the way across. Always cut an extra inch or so in length of Contact paper or remeasure so that you have enough. When finished, flip over, again remove any damaged tape and laminate as above. Jonathon, I am using Kodaks cheapest printer, so know most printers should print the same. In doing both charts in this method, I only had to pen in less than ten letter characters. A few of these were due to my not cutting properly when I first started it. I have done a lot of sewing and design over the past thirty years and knew there would be a way to do this. Your talents, love and time are greatly appreciated. Although I could figure out how to assemble, I would never have been able to create this piece of history and art that you have done. I am new to Montessori teaching with my four year old grandson. He adores his timelines and is already wanting to learn from them so many many thanks to you. Blessings Deborah Hello Jonathon,
First of all, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful timelines. They are greatly appreciated. I had printed both out a month ago, then returned to your site to look at your albums. I had not seen the posts about putting them together when I printed them. I have them together and If it is alright with you, I would like to suggest the way to put them together and your boxes do not need to be removed. I have both of mine finished now and they are terrific.
The first thing you need to do is to asign a day for this when you can take the time to do it, print it out and lay the time line on the floor so that you have all of the pieces in the order that they need to be. This is not a quick project, and I can not imagine the loving time that went into making it. Start on the far left side. Cut a piece of scotch tape for the first piece of the timeline to go up and center it on the right hand side {underneath of course} You should have half of that piece of scotch tape sticking out for you to attach your second piece to, then cut the appr. quarter inch strip of the left side of the next page needed and lay the paper down on the first page. Cutting should be done right on the black line or border. If you hold the piece up to the light you will see where you need to cut. Remember you are only to cut the attaching overlaying side of the piece. Continue this process across the timeline doing one row at a time. When it comes to attaching the rows, start from the bottom row. Cut of the same amount clear across the timeline. Place stips of tape again centering across the bottom of row that you are attaching to. Work upwards to do this. Use cheap scotch tape, { making it easy to pull off or to realign the pages. } When you are finished if you have any area where a letter of a word has been cut off, place a very small piece of tape there on the front and print the letter in using a black ink pen. Check all for alignment and turn the timeline over. Starting at the left, carefully rub down any scotch tape that is loose or if it is bunched off from aligning, then repostition or remove. Then you will need to laminate with Contact paper. I started with the front so that I could remove most of the tape from the back. Start on the left side and go top to bottom all the way across. Always cut an extra inch or so in length of Contact paper or remeasure so that you have enough. When finished, flip over, again remove any damaged tape and laminate as above. Jonathon, I am using Kodaks cheapest printer, so know most printers should print the same. In doing both charts in this method, I only had to pen in less than ten letter characters. A few of these were due to my not cutting properly when I first started it. I have done a lot of sewing and design over the past thirty years and knew there would be a way to do this. Your talents, love and time are greatly appreciated. Although I could figure out how to assemble, I would never have been able to create this piece of history and art that you have done. I am new to Montessori teaching with my four year old grandson. He adores his timelines and is already wanting to learn from them so many many thanks to you.
Blessings
Deborah

]]> Comment on Montessori Albums by jonathan http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9&cpage=1#comment-253 jonathan Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:52:22 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9#comment-253 I find <a href="http://montessorioutlet.com/" rel="nofollow">Montessori Outlet</a> to be the best combination of quality and price. They have a close relationship with Nienhuis, the top-shelf manufacturer of Montessori materials. I find Montessori Outlet to be the best combination of quality and price. They have a close relationship with Nienhuis, the top-shelf manufacturer of Montessori materials.

]]> Comment on Montessori Albums by Louella http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9&cpage=1#comment-239 Louella Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:46:14 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9#comment-239 Hi! I have browsed your album and I think they are great. Thank you so much for sharing them. They helped me understand what the beads are for as well as how to introduce the concepts and perform the exercises the montessori way. My son goes to a montessori school but their curriculum is based on textbooks and they barely touch the montessori materials that is why I have decided to give him after school activities and having done research on montessori education has convinced me that the authentic approach would really help my son master the concepts. Would you know where else I could find albums for other subjects? Hi!
I have browsed your album and I think they are great. Thank you so much for sharing them. They helped me understand what the beads are for as well as how to introduce the concepts and perform the exercises the montessori way. My son goes to a montessori school but their curriculum is based on textbooks and they barely touch the montessori materials that is why I have decided to give him after school activities and having done research on montessori education has convinced me that the authentic approach would really help my son master the concepts. Would you know where else I could find albums for other subjects?

]]> Comment on About by Montessori Mania! « thisblessedchaos.com http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=2&cpage=1#comment-208 Montessori Mania! « thisblessedchaos.com Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:07:36 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=2#comment-208 [...] Cultivating Dharma with free printouts [...] [...] Cultivating Dharma with free printouts [...]

]]> Comment on Montessori Albums by Kelly http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9&cpage=1#comment-162 Kelly Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:27:39 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9#comment-162 I'm very excited about your albums. I am a secondary teacher who will be having some 6th graders in my middle school class next year, and I'm looking at which lessons/materials they might need. I've seen the algebraic pegboard lesson presented with a peg box that has decimal pegs as well, and can break down roots with remainders even further. Do you happen to know who supplies that, as I can't find it anywhere and want to purchase it. Thanks! I’m very excited about your albums. I am a secondary teacher who will be having some 6th graders in my middle school class next year, and I’m looking at which lessons/materials they might need.

I’ve seen the algebraic pegboard lesson presented with a peg box that has decimal pegs as well, and can break down roots with remainders even further. Do you happen to know who supplies that, as I can’t find it anywhere and want to purchase it. Thanks!

]]> Comment on Classroom Management by jonathan http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=112&cpage=1#comment-85 jonathan Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:35:57 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=112#comment-85 Work plans. An enormously divisive topic which means it is an important and difficult one to speak of intelligently. I have seen the topic addressed in the following way: all concerned take it as an issue of freedom of choice but differ on whether or not the presence of a work plan fosters choice. In a Montessori environment, those that think it fosters choice support it; those that think it does not foster choice do not support it. As with most things, it's never that simple. There is a way to frame the issue in these terms. And I think it is helpful to do so. However, I do not think it is the only way to frame it. I think starting with the common ground that the presence of good choices for students is a good thing, we might ask ourselves how best to provide those choices. One option that might be raised in a discussion of how to support students to better enable them to make good decisions is to provide them with a means of keeping track of their work. And one way to do that is to use a work plan. So obviously I think there is a place not only in lower and upper elementary classrooms for a "workplan" but for all of us adults included. As for the practice of using them in an upper el classroom, you have more options if only because the students are older. I have tried using workplans already filled in on Monday morning for the whole week. Students either like this or hate this. It either gives them a sense of security or extreme anxiety. It also fosters competition and completing jobs simply to count one more job complete. Students will tend to rush their jobs more than they otherwise would. For those students who feel anxious about pre-filled plans, the growing sense of competition in the room only serves to further shut these students down. Another way I have used work plans is to give out a blank work plan on Monday morning. It will have subject headings and room for jobs to be written in. Students then copy jobs down from the board each day, write down jobs under the day they are due, and write down jobs assigned during a lesson. Some students might still want it pre-filled. You can do so for those individuals if your schedule allows. Work plans. An enormously divisive topic which means it is an important and difficult one to speak of intelligently. I have seen the topic addressed in the following way: all concerned take it as an issue of freedom of choice but differ on whether or not the presence of a work plan fosters choice. In a Montessori environment, those that think it fosters choice support it; those that think it does not foster choice do not support it.
As with most things, it’s never that simple. There is a way to frame the issue in these terms. And I think it is helpful to do so. However, I do not think it is the only way to frame it. I think starting with the common ground that the presence of good choices for students is a good thing, we might ask ourselves how best to provide those choices.
One option that might be raised in a discussion of how to support students to better enable them to make good decisions is to provide them with a means of keeping track of their work. And one way to do that is to use a work plan.
So obviously I think there is a place not only in lower and upper elementary classrooms for a “workplan” but for all of us adults included.
As for the practice of using them in an upper el classroom, you have more options if only because the students are older. I have tried using workplans already filled in on Monday morning for the whole week. Students either like this or hate this. It either gives them a sense of security or extreme anxiety. It also fosters competition and completing jobs simply to count one more job complete. Students will tend to rush their jobs more than they otherwise would. For those students who feel anxious about pre-filled plans, the growing sense of competition in the room only serves to further shut these students down.
Another way I have used work plans is to give out a blank work plan on Monday morning. It will have subject headings and room for jobs to be written in. Students then copy jobs down from the board each day, write down jobs under the day they are due, and write down jobs assigned during a lesson. Some students might still want it pre-filled. You can do so for those individuals if your schedule allows.

]]> Comment on Classroom Management by luann http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=112&cpage=1#comment-82 luann Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:43:46 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=112#comment-82 I am working in a 9-12 classroom. I am looking for a workplan to use with the children. I know some upper el classrooms don't use a work plan. Any suggestions for management of this? Thank you. I am working in a 9-12 classroom. I am looking for a workplan to use with the children. I know some upper el classrooms don’t use a work plan. Any suggestions for management of this? Thank you.

]]> Comment on About by Zsuzsa http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=2&cpage=1#comment-67 Zsuzsa Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:50:30 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=2#comment-67 I am a montessori homeschooling mum in Australia. I have a 5yr, 7yr & 9yr. I have purchased several teacher albums from other suppliers & have found yours to be the most comprehensive & easy to follow - thank you for sharing your knowledge and valuable experience for free with the larger global montessori community! I hope that one day you will list some other albums - history, zoology. I have also purchased the CD from Montessori for Everyone & found that your manuals are complimentary to this material. Virtual montessori is also a fantastic resource. Thank you again for sharing with the world. Zsuzsa I am a montessori homeschooling mum in Australia. I have a 5yr, 7yr & 9yr. I have purchased several teacher albums from other suppliers & have found yours to be the most comprehensive & easy to follow – thank you for sharing your knowledge and valuable experience for free with the larger global montessori community! I hope that one day you will list some other albums – history, zoology. I have also purchased the CD from Montessori for Everyone & found that your manuals are complimentary to this material. Virtual montessori is also a fantastic resource.

Thank you again for sharing with the world.
Zsuzsa

]]> Comment on Montessori Albums by Rita Sporrer http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9&cpage=1#comment-50 Rita Sporrer Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:19:25 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?page_id=9#comment-50 You have a fabulous website. I am A.M.I. primary and elementary trained, with many years experience. I just downloaded your albums and have read some of the early math. My experience with the hierarchical materials: after introducing the materials and the symbols, I have the children practice reading the numbers. I think you can get a set of cards for the materials now, but you haven't always been able to. I used to borrow cards from the multiplication bank game. The cards are layed out and children choose numbers from various categories and practice reading all the categories. Some children need more of this practice than others do. I have seen children who were really weak in knowing the categories when doing decimal work and know that they really needed more work in reading the numbers. Also, some of them become dependent upon the color and without the color, and even with comma's to separate number families, they struggle. Having this experience, it helps me to understand how to "fill in the gaps". You have a fabulous website. I am A.M.I. primary and elementary trained, with many years experience. I just downloaded your albums and have read some of the early math.

My experience with the hierarchical materials: after introducing the materials and the symbols, I have the children practice reading the numbers. I think you can get a set of cards for the materials now, but you haven’t always been able to. I used to borrow cards from the multiplication bank game. The cards are layed out and children choose numbers from various categories and practice reading all the categories. Some children need more of this practice than others do. I have seen children who were really weak in knowing the categories when doing decimal work and know that they really needed more work in reading the numbers. Also, some of them become dependent upon the color and without the color, and even with comma’s to separate number families, they struggle. Having this experience, it helps me to understand how to “fill in the gaps”.

]]> Comment on Checkerboard Software by Leptir http://www.freemontessori.org/?p=107&cpage=1#comment-44 Leptir Sun, 23 May 2010 18:18:15 +0000 http://www.freemontessori.org/?p=107#comment-44 So cool! Thanks for sharing :-) So cool! Thanks for sharing :-)

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