Montessori Station

Montessori Timeline of Life

2020-04-30T23:43:00.001-04:00

A Montessori Timeline of Life that corresponds with AMI training and albums!

Keys of the Universe Montessori has a newly designed timeline

Some sample images:

Mathematics: Challenge Math by Ed Zaccarro

2018-01-30T15:26:00.001-05:00

Hickory Grove Press provides a variety of resources to deepen thinking and analysis skills.

In addition to math, they have language arts, science and much MUCH more.

Their Challenge Math and other math resources include the coveted word problems (story problems) sought after by elementary Montessori teachers and parents - already developed problems that are suitable for the Montessori child without having to write one's own!

Elementary Montessori Boot Camps: Montessori Kiwi

2017-08-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

MontessoriKiwi.com

Are you an Elementary Montessori Teacher?

Are there things you have to teach that weren't in your training?

Are you new to Montessori Elementary?

These modules are for you!

Lisa from Montessorikiwi shares her knowledge of Montessori teaching of children aged 6-12 based on her knowledge of both Montessori and Mainstream teaching to help you enhance your classroom practice and save your sanity! Includes practical ideas to help you today!

Economic Geography: Liberty and Economics

2017-07-25T19:06:00.000-04:00

Tuttle Twins

Reading level for lower elementary, with extensions into upper elementary and suggested high school and adult reading!

Our books

Buy them all at a discount and get over $50 in free bonuses!

The foundation of freedom

Children are often taught that government protects our life, liberty, and property, but could it be true that some laws actually allow people to hurt us and take our things? Join Ethan and Emily Tuttle as they learn about property, pirates, and plunder!

High School/Adult Reading: The Law by Frederic Bastiat

The miracle of the free market

Ethan and Emily Tuttle have grown up taking for granted the many things they use: clothes, cars, homes, backpacks—even something as simple as a pencil. In this fun adventure to an amazing factory, the twins learn about the miracle and importance of the free market.

High School/Adult Reading: I, Pencil by Leonard Read

The creature stealing our money

Join the twins in their exciting third adventure as they uncover the mystery of how a powerful creature is stealing their grandparents’ hard-earned savings, and how they can fight back to protect the money they make in their family business!

High School/Adult Reading: The Creature from Jekyll Island by G Edward Griffin

A fight for fairness

Disruptive businesses often fight against their crony competitors and their allies in government. Ethan and Emily witness this firsthand with their food truck friends as they embark on a campaign to win public support and overturn the laws that shut them down.

High School/Adult Reading: Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt

A tale of unintended consequences

History abounds with examples of government officials making decisions that harm others. Unfortunately, these unintended consequences are rarely if ever anticipated. As the twins find in their latest adventure, central planning can ruin people’s lives!

High School/Adult Reading: The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek

A summer camp adventure like no other!

Ethan and Emily Tuttle embark on their first summer camp adventure where competing teams turn into rivals, but Chief Ron helps the twins and their teammates learn the dangers of aggression, revenge, and blowback—and why peace and friendship are important!

High School/Adult Reading: A Foreign Policy of Freedom by Ron Paul

MORE BOOKS BEING ADDED!

Science in a Box: Montessori Lectures

2015-10-03T19:46:00.001-04:00

Science Kit at Montessori Lecture

Materials consist of user guide and science cards only. Boxes and content not included

Science In A Box

Science in a Box consists of individual cards, each with a basic science experiment, which may be used in a non-consecutive order. The activities of Science in a Box provide an active, problem-solving approach to the study of science. They introduce the children to scientific concepts including the properties of air and water, electricity, magnetism, light, sound, force and motion, and simple chemistry experiments. This material provides ease for teachers and parents without the difficutly of long term preparation, since items need only to be gathered at the time of initial set-up. The activities are very easy to follow and the 'hands-on approach' of each activity promotes an interest in science.
Each card has a list of materials needed, simple steps to follow, and questions asking about each activity. The back of each card answers the questions and explains the experiment.
Most activities can be done by children ages 3-6 years with minimal guidance. Older students, who read well, can be expected to do most of the experiments independently. The user guide contains a glossary with simple explanations of terms which can be used by adults to explain experiments to younger children, or used independently by the older student.
A list of materials required for the science experiments is provided. These consist of common items which easily can be obtained and stored in a large crate. A few items which need to be replenished on a regular basis are typically stored in a small box separately. It is convenient to store the experiment cards in a large index card box. Adults may set out a specific experiment, introduce the procedure, and then have the activity available for use of the younger child. Older students may choose a card and gather on a tray the materials needed to perform the experiment independently.
• Set consists of over 85 Science Activities
• Science in a Box $40.00
• Shipping within USA: $15.00
• Additional shipping charges for other countries than USA

Teaching Stars

2015-05-27T19:18:00.000-04:00

http://www.teachingstars.com/2014/04/07/homeschoolers-guide-galaxy/

A list of great resources for astronomy at home. All Montessori friendly.

Science Explorations: Primary and Early Lower Elementary

2014-12-28T15:09:00.003-05:00

http://www.inquiryinaction.org/

The AMI albums feel rather light on the chemistry; many people flesh that out with Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, with correlation chart here: Montessori Trails.

Others may choose to go the route of Inquiry in Action - either in addition to or instead of other options. This pdf of science explorations covers both elementary and middle school (adolescence) and the website includes resources for high school as well.

Perfect for homeschooling Montessori!

From the website:

What causes certain substances to dissolve in water? Why do some liquids bead up on wax paper while others spread out? These questions and many more are explored in Inquiry in Action, a 470-page resource of guided, inquiry-based activities that covers basic chemistry concepts along with the process of scientific investigation.

The book helps students:

Ask scientific questions and investigate them
Design experiments
Record observations
Draw conclusions
Communicate their findings

It also includes extensive science background for teachers, including:

Strategic questioning
Teacher demonstrations
Detailed procedures for experiments
Student activity sheets
Preparation notes
Assessments

EEME - Monthly Electronics Projects

2014-12-08T19:33:00.001-05:00

http://eeme.co/rf/3bU8e228

From the website:

Build a New Electronics Project Every Month

Teach your 7-12 year old kid about resistors, LED's, transistors, and much more using real electronic components with EEME's monthly project curriculum.
Everything comes in the monthly package - batteries, wires - ready to go.
Electronics experience not required - learn with your kid.
FREE shipping, risk-free (one-click cancel anytime)

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding

2014-10-19T15:43:00.001-04:00

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding -
3 Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?ISBN=9781432706104

A review from a Montessori homeschooling mom who likes to ramble at times ;)
http://montessoritrails.blogspot.com/2012/10/montessori-and-building-foundations-of.html

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding can be combined with Montessori very easily, especially if you are using AMI or keys-based albums. Volume 1 can begin at age 4 or so, easing into each following volume as the child is ready.

Each volume contains roughly 36 lessons to be covered over the course of 3 years - about 12 lessons a year. Great conversational set-up, with hands-on activities focusing on OBSERVABLE science.

Economic Geography: Rubber Stamps

2014-02-21T11:17:00.001-05:00

Economic Geography Stamps available at Garden of Francis

Not actually rubber - they're polymer and will last much longer than rubber -

Montessori Elementary Economic Geography Stamps - corresponding with the Keys of the Universe Montessori Elementary Geography Album chapter on Economic Geography.

Each polymer (not rubber, but like rubber) stamp image measures 3/4 inch at its widest; mounted on a 1 inch square cube - with the image imprinted on the top of each cube for easy reference.

Select which set you would like: the core set contains 26 images of mineral, plant and animal resources; the supplementary set contains 14 additional images in more specific items.

Each corresponding tackle-box comes with a cardstock print-out of the included images for that set.

CONTENTS CORRESPOND WITH AMI MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY TRAINING ALBUMS. And are most specifically designed for Keys of the Universe albums.

Purchase your own ink pads according to the color designations of your choice (see the elementary Montessori geography album for further details).

Science: Home Science Tools

2014-01-02T23:41:00.000-05:00

Home Science Tools offers a Montessori kit for those using AMI Montessori Elementary albums: Home Science Tools

It contains almost all the science supplies you need for the geography and biology albums - for 10% lower than purchasing the items individually (use an additional 10% coupon and the kit is even cheaper!

(I do not make any money when you purchase that kit - it is simply something I set up to make the obtaining of the needed materials easier for those who are using AMI elementary Montessori albums)

UPDATE!
This Kit is now discontinued - so many people went to the site, bought the individual items and not the kit (despite the 10% discount) - so there were not enough sales on the kit itself for HST to continue offering it.

However, HST still carries almost all of the items you need to do all the science and biology work from the AMI Montessori Elementary albums - please see information in those albums for what is available and what is not (there are two items you cannot get there - one is magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts - look in the pharmacy area of your local grocery store) ---- the other is a fertilizer ingredient - look at gardening stores!)).

4-H Curriculum

2013-10-01T20:54:00.002-04:00

http://www.4-hmall.org/Category/educationresources.aspx

WIDE variety of subjects - would be great for short-term projects, longer-term projects, unit studies - explore areas of interest - without a large dollar outlay.

Geography: Periodic Table of Elements

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

http://periodictable.com/

The card deck and book found at this site are fantastic in elementary for pure exploration; then are a highly useful tool in adolescence when more specifically studying the periodic table of elements.

Fractions: History

2013-05-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

http://nrich.maths.org/2515

Interestingly segment on the possible history of fractions. Tying in mathematics, history, geography and culture ;)

Music: Rudiments of Music

2013-05-11T09:59:00.001-04:00

http://clp.org/store/by_course/85
(click the link and scroll all the way to the bottom)

Anyone needing a basic music foundation without all the frills and distractions so that you can more confidently explore the world of music with your children?

This resource is IT!

Rudiments of Music covers just that - the rudiments, so you "get" it. Truly get it.

The suggested songs are Christian in nature; the musical foundation is pure music.

A student guide and a teacher's guide are all you need - for a total of $8 plus shipping.

However, I have linked you to the page that also has their pitch pipe and staff liner - handy tools in the exploration of music, including in the Montessori music albums. This page also includes their paper-based music course, which is one workbook for a grade level, 1st through 8th.

MTIPS - Montessori Mentors

2013-03-04T20:20:00.001-05:00

http://montessoriteachersinstitute.blogspot.com/

Great place for some straight-forward answers to typical questions about Montessori - useful for homeschooling and schools.

Biology: Into the Forest Food Chain Game

2013-01-26T15:42:00.002-05:00

Into the Forest Food Chain Game

(Amazon affiliate link - Google the game to find a cheaper version - I think we paid $12 or so??)

In this game, children utilize cards noting what animals eat and what they are eaten by; playing them in particular order to earn energy points. Death and Decay trump all, recycling nutrients back to the plants.

Simple to start, with SO MANY variations!

The artwork on the cards is nicely done in a nice style (think Jan Brett's books - that style in regards to coloring)

Use in conjunction with the Montessori biology albums - both primary and elementary Montessori - to learn and challenge one's knowledge of the interdependencies of nature.

Foreign Language: French

2013-01-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

http://participassions.servhome.org/

An example of a site with downloadable Montessori language materials, in another language. This one is French and has simply *beautiful* materials!

History Writing Lessons

2013-01-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/catalog/history

This book is advertised as being intended for those who have done the IEW training; but in a Montessori home or school, with a child studying ancient history (they also have options for Australian, Medieval, and US History, but we've not seen them yet), it is a great resource for the child to use himself (it is written to the child).

The first two lessons are on poetry; from there it goes into Sumerians, Rome and Greece and more, with essays, summaries, narratives, critiques, research reports, writing from pictures and creative writing. I personally love the Appendix - there is a list of "banned words" such as good/bad and lists of "alternate words" to replace those bland, banned words.

A good deal of language arts rules are taught and reinforced, with a variety of writing styles, all tied into an intense interest of most elementary children.

The guide can be used by most Montessori elementary children who are confidently reading, are ready to write more than a grocery list at a sitting, and perhaps have already done a lot of historical studies - this can be used a follow-up later, as review. I would suggest age 8 and above; and it is written to accommodate up to middle school. It is likely too simplistic for a typical 15-18 year old (although struggling writers of that age might like it as a boost into writing skills!).

The children read and do the lesson themselves, then bring their writing to the adult for review; they then create a second or final draft and add illustrations.

In a Montessori fashion - a lesson a week or a lesson every two weeks could be included in the work plan, with adult-child developed modifications when/where/if needed. Or the child could run through several of them in a week, depending on how much time and interest there is.

Music: Homeschool Ideas

2013-01-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/tag/10-days-of-teaching-music

This homeschool mom has some great ideas for Lego work within the homeschool - but almost better yet, she has some great music resources!

ETA: How to incorporate music in your homeschool in 2013

Human Geography: Book samples

2013-01-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca

This organization publishes fantastic books to "share the joy of reading".

They offer a variety of books for purchase, for oneself or to send on to libraries in African countries for people of all ages to learn to read.

One of the books we recently received from a friend who had recently traveled to Ghana is David's Day at the Mine by Deborah Cowley, photos by Kathy Knowles.

The reading is ideal for new readers looking for something solid to read - a step above the popular-in-Montessori-environment Rookie Readers - and VERY appropriate for the early elementary foundation work in Human Geography. The story we received focuses on the people involved in the process of mining as well as the process itself. In the Human Geography Montessori work, we strive to focus on the people involved in the process and this book makes it VERY real.

I cannot find this book on their website, but perhaps an e-mail inquiry might bring it up ;)

The company is based in Canada, so Canadian Montessorians will even better enjoy the books that cover the differences and similarities of life in Tanzania and Ghana compared to life in Canada; but all cultures I think will find these books of interest.

Human Geography work is a precursor to the Economic Geography work.

Language: Book-Making

2013-01-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

Big Book of Books and Activities by Dinah Zike

This book is a fantastic resource for books and displays of just about any kind. Want to make a lapbook or a display or just make some booklets in a variety of styles? This book is straight-forward enough that lower elementary can browse it themselves; upper elementary can easily extrapolate their own creations and adults can assist with all ages from primary on up.

Children love to create and what better way to give them a variety of ideas than by exploring ways they can use paper to display their work in a variety of ways!?

Art: Artterro - Eco Art Kits

2012-12-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

http://artterro.com/

Family-friendly art projects; real skills; eco-friendly... who could ask for a more Montessori-style art kit to give a Montessori-educated child - or indeed ANY child - as a birthday or holiday gift?

We have the booklet-making one. More "girl-focused" than this household of boys cares for, but the skills learned have been utilized to transform other now-recycled materials into more boy-coordinated themes. Saving the girl stuff for the girl cousins!

The book-making kits fit right into the Montessori classroom; the other projects are great for the family setting :)

Games: Family Pastimes

2012-12-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

http://familypastimes.com/ - Family Pastimes Games

These fantastic games, almost all co-operative, build family and community relationships, while learning some great skills.

Some of these games are listed over at Michael Olaf, but I chose to list the original company so you could see the widest gamut of options available!

Great for birthdays, celebrations, holidays and more!
Not to mention a neat "break" from school! (ok so around here, games like these COUNT as school ;) )

I can't even list out all the Montessori album pages and Family Pastimes games that correlate with one another- out favorite is Farmers Market ;)
(check the "economic geography" section of the elementary geography album for this one!)

Music: Rhythm Flashcards

2012-12-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

http://laytonmusic.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/rhythm-flashcards/

Great place to download rhythm flashcards for Montessori rhythm exercises in clapping. Children taking piano and other instrumental lessons will also find them useful in their music study.

These are a fantastic resource! Totally free and the work is done for us!