Happy Autumn!
Autumnal (Fall) Equinox:
- Northern Hemisphere (USA & Central America, Asia, Canada, Europe, Northern Africa): –September 23
- Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa) – March 20
Archives for September 2015
Science – Resource
Language – Preparation for Reading
Snowflake Patterning
The purpose of this lesson is to identify and replicate the pattern given. This helps train the mind to “read” and decode patterns.
An original project by UMA graduate Melissa Briede from Westfield, IN. It’s an appropriate activity for this time of year, especially with the latest round of blizzards in the US! Place this in the Language area of your classroom.
Practical Life – Food Prep
Cutting a Banana
Want to provide a healthy snack in the classroom (or at home)? Rather than simply setting out a bowl bowl of bananas, provide instead a banana cutting activity, allowing each child to prepare his/her own snack.
- Pre-mark the banana with 2-3 starting lines (control of error) to indicate where to start cutting. Perhaps a slight cut along each line to help start the process.
- Add an empty bowl for discarding peel sections (which will then be emptied into compost bin).
- Provide a another bowl for the banana slices, to share with others or eat alone after cleaning up. (Provide a lid to keep leftovers.)
Children love to cut their own bananas…and we love to hear them say, “I can do it myself!”
*For the classroom, we recommend using a duller knife than shown in this photo (to meet possible licensing requirements). At home, you may use use a sharper knife. The child will need to ask for the knife, rather than having it sit out on the tray. This cues the adult to be keenly (but subtly) observant.
Photos provided by Sarah D, UMA student in training from South Africa…thanks Sarah!
Practical Life – Social Graces
Tea Time for Everyone
Preparing, pouring, and offering tea to guests and friends – an act of grace and courtesy EVERY child can enjoy.
(From the ©UMA archives. Photo: Daphnea Solomon)
Geography – The Continents Map
The Planisphere
Out of our archives…Kellie Stubblefield of Whitsett, North Carolina shares her original project entitled The Felt Continents Map. “I really enjoyed working with cloth and utilizing a wooden board that I already had, to create what I believe is a pretty high quality home-made Montessori material.”
Kellie cut the boards and hinged them so that the maps fold up for easy storage and carrying. The top map functions as a control. This is yet another fine example of creativity, resourcefulness, and attention to detail. The materials are natural, inviting for the child…simply beautiful. Thank you, Kellie
Photos ©UMA
