Week Six has brought our first Sensory lessons. The Montessori Method uses five areas of focus: Practical Life, Sensorial, Culture, Language, and Mathematics.  

Here's a chart developed by a school in California that shows what kinds of lessons are given for each area of focus:

danmont.com/the-5-areas-of-a-montessori-classroom

The "sensorial materials were designed by Doctor Maria Montessori to help children express and classify their sensory experiences. The purpose of sensorial activities is to aid in the development of the intellectual senses of the child, which develops the ability to observe and compare with precision. There are sensorial materials that focus on visual perception, tactile impressions, auditory sense, and olfactory and taste perceptions. Activities often include matching and grading materials that isolate the sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell."  For more details on each of the five areas of focus, check out this website from an Australian Montessori school system: 

montessoriacademy.com.au/montessori-education/montessori-curriculum 

Below are some of the sensorial materials our kiddos began using this week.

Our group time was reduced significantly this week and in its place, we spent more individual time focused on work.  When group time did occur, we focused on days of the week, months of the year, the orbit of the Earth, and other cultural lessons.  Click the three buttons below to watch our little ones recite the months of the year, learn about how the Earth orbits, and get to orbit the "sun" themselves! 

The beauty of the Montessori method is that "as children carry their learning materials carefully with two hands and do their very special “work”..., they may feel like they are simply playing games with their friends—but they are actually learning in a brilliantly designed curriculum that takes them, one step at a time, and according to a predetermined sequence, through concepts of increasing complexity."

amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-Montessori/Montessori-Learning-Materials

All day our kiddos work on developing both their fine and gross motor skills.  Some activities that you can do with them at home include: sewing, using tongs, using a dropper, lacing, beading, balancing, spooning small things from one bowl to another, paint with water colors, and tracing with water.  You don't need anything fancy to do these - just give it a quick Google and you'll find an array of great activities you can do over the weekend.   Or check out this Pinterest board for ideas:

 pinterest.com/NLieuOPreschool/fine-motor-and-montessori-inspired-activities/?lp=true 

SPONSOR RECOGNITION

Before we settled on a location for our school, there were several beautiful properties we considered.  

One of those sites was The Baines House, a beautiful, historic Bed and Breakfast.  Built in the 1860s, this house was the residence of the Rev. George Washington Baines (1809-83) from 1870 to 1883. A pioneer Baptist preacher, missionary, editor, and educator the Rev. Baines was the great-grandfather of United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

The owners of The Baines House have generously supported Salado Montessori.  The next time you need the perfect place for your out-of-town guests, please consider booking with The Baines House.  You'll be glad you did.  

baineshouse.com/lodgings.htm

Thank you.

We hope you are enjoying your four-day weekend.  Did you know that Presidents' Day was originally celebrated in 1879 to honor President Washington's birthday and was later expanded to include all Presidents?  The history of the holiday is quite intriguing: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington's_Birthday

See you Tuesday!

~ Ms. Webb & Ms. Alissa