Georgia on My Mind

A few years ago it became a goal of mine to create Artist Baskets that would share with young children about the lives of some of the artists who have created works of art that they may be exposed to.

A few famous names came to mind right away: Van Goh, Matisse, Picasso, Jackson Pollack, and I realized that they were ALL men. Talented artists who I love and adore but still, ALL men, and there are little girls who are artists! And so I began searching out some more talented artists (who happened to be female) to balance my collection. Easier said than done...

So, to share with you, should you want to enrich your classrooms or homes with Artist Baskets of your own, these are the female artists I added to my list:

• Mary Cassatt
• Georgia O'Keeffe
• Grandma Moses
• Frida Kahlo
• Beatrix Potter

Here is a sample of one of my artist story baskets.
Artist: Georgia O'Keeffe
Presentation:

Toddler World Map with Animals

I've wanted to make one of these for a while now. April vacation allowed me the time and with this unfortunate tummy bug going round and round my house, I've been home to do projects I had been putting off.
First I made the bean bags: I cut the continents from felt, sewed them onto blue fleece and then made them into bean bags. Next I made the mat from that same blue fleece and a large piece of black fleece (a throw blanket I found at Goodwill for $1.99 did I mention, I LOVE Goodwill).
I cut two large blue circles for the hemispheres and sewed them to the black fleece, next I sewed the black fleece to one of Little One's baby blankets (a light blue thermal one). Then we played with it!



Little One (almost three years old) couldn't stop touching the big blue circles. And when he wasn't touching them, he was holding a bean bag continent. I think the rest of his class will find the sounds and textures of this work appealing as well. Then I introduced the animals. Middle Man, from across the room, came to see what we were doing and quickly took over the game. An experienced Montessori student, now in the upper elementary class, he knew which animal belonged where and wasted no time informing Little One of their correct 'where a bouts'. He was very frustrated with me that there were no animals for Antarctica available (I left those at school!).

Little One ended up moving all the animals about and really playing with it, which made me happy. It was obviously a learning material most suitable for toddlers not ten year olds. ;)
In PEACE,
Jennifer

Happy Earth Day!

(pen and ink~Jennifer Howard)
So I've been working on a felt, AIR, LAND and WATER mat...obviously I'm not quite finished or I'd be showing it to you. But it's coming along.
In honor of Earth Day I wanted to share some of our family celebrations:
It is April vacation right now, so school is not in session. This allows me more time to do things with my own children and to create!!!
So what to do...
Some previous Earth Day posts & ideas for celebrating Earth Day this year:
Lost & Found
Flower Pot Scrubbing
I Love the Earth
Encouraging Spring
The Earth The Air The Fire The Water song

With your kids:
Decorate canvas bags to be used for grocery shopping
Share the story of the Universe with your children
Leave food for the Earth Fairies
(hint they live in the woods and enjoy the same foods as birds)
Ask your children to teach you a song about our Earth (they are bound to know one)
Wash ALL the windows in the house (my kids actually enjoy this chore!)
When was the last time you made a mud pie?
Pull out the spring time puzzles!

















If it's warm enough: Wash the car!
Offer to do yard work for someone who can't do it themselves.

Visit these blogs for some other very GREEN ideas:
Making Paper Bag Books
Make a Nature Can with Plum Pudding
or try Art Projects For Kids: Recycled Art Projects

Cut Paper Design: Friends

Just finished! This is an illustration for my next book. What do you think? Question: Does anyone out there know how to rid my scanner of this thin green line? Thanks.
In PEACE
Jennifer

Something Springy

My husband took the kiddos away for the day and this is one of the pieces I was able to finish! Wooho! Thank you my love. I feel like a new woman!
Please do not reproduce without my permission~Thank you
Jennifer

Visiting Japan

Montessori Papa's upper elementary class has been studying Japan! Their studies culminated in the Childrens Festival which the school celebrated yesterday (the actual calendar date is coming up on May 5th).

In preparation for the festival each elementary child made a carp wind sock, wishing tree wish~carps (which Middle Man shared with me, that he had written: PEACE), they they created props for a traditional Japanese folk tail play which they performed for the kindergarten class, prepared food for the feast (rolled sushi, tempura veggies & soba and udon noodles to name a few yummy items!) and when they return from April vacation they will have an opportunity to create their own Japanese Mon (similar to a family crest). Here are some pics of cardboard block prints I created to show examples of what they might create.

First I drew an image of a lotus flower on the cardboard, then using an artist's knife I removed the top layer, to create a stamp or relief painting image. Next I loaded up a rolling pin to apply the paint to the card board and when the surface was evenly cover with paint I put a blank sheet of paper on top of the image and again rolled over the paper with a roller (no paint). Then peeled it up and ta-da!

For the carp stamp I began by drawing the fish on the cardboard then I applied craft glue and yarn to fill the image in. I also cut around the image so that I could give it some height, hopefully preventing smudging. The yarn didn't look as cool as I had hoped but the kids liked it and that is what's important.
I can't wait to see their family mons! I have been invited in to read my book for them and I am going to ask if I can take some photos of their Japanese projects to post for you all. The masks they made are amazing!

A few MM notes about introducing Culture studies:
Start small and keep it simple.

Begin by admitting that you don't know everything about the culture you are studying, but just like your children, you are looking forward to learning more.

Convey curiosity and adventure. Pretend that you are going with your children on a trip.

Always speak with respect and care about the culture. Children are emotional sponges remember and they will pick up on your underlying tones.

Make sure that everything you share with your class/child about the culture is authentic and accurate.

Visit your local library! If your children's librarian is as helpful as mine, you will come away with a wealth of materials!(Many thanks Jane!)

Music sets a tone (your librarian may be able to recommend some CDs for you to share)

Ask your student's parents for help! You may be able to borrow artifacts, artwork, clothing, even prepackaged foods from families that may have traveled to the country you plan to study. It never hurts to ask. A relative might also enjoy visiting your class to share about their experiences.

Incorporate the country of study throughout your classroom. From food prep and practical life activities to art appreciation and sets baskets!

"As parents and teachers we can help our children learn to live in peace and harmony with all people. We can do this by introducing them to different places in the world, and filling their minds with wonder and fascination for all the different cultures at an age when they have yet to encounter the kind of attitudes that breed fear and prejudice. To learn of far away places, to dream, to imagine, to hope to go there some day has always allowed children and adults to embrace the whole world and to care about its well-being. There is no educational objective more important than to bring our children into full membership of the human family."

~~Tim Seldin President of the Montessori Foundation



For more info and delightful movies you can order to share with you children visit
The Little Travelers Mama's blog! Last night we watched The Little Travelers Visit Japan movie while eating our dinner Japanese style; sitting on the floor with chop sticks!

My hat is off to those of you introducing culture studies as home! Homeschooling is a grand adventure in and of it's self! Pulling a culture study together takes allot of time and research; pace yourself and start small. Simple matching sets can be created using post cards and magazine photos. Perhaps these could be cut and pasted by your children to be laminated later for future uses? Please share links to YOUR cultural studies. Thank you!

A wish for PEACE for all the world's Children~
Jennifer

On the PL Shelves This Week....

"Peaceful Feet" This isn't so much a Practical Life work as much as a Grace and Courtesy or community building activity but in our room it was born out of necessity for busy twos! Running is a common trend among toddlers; they can help themselves! So I put this work together to encourage slower movements and to bring a focus on deliberate and purposeful walking. I simply traced a shoe of Little one's and cut out felt foot prints (about 10) included in the basket are a peace dove (Christmas ornament) and a Tibetan bell with a pipe cleaner handle. The idea is the children set out the foot prints (to tread lightly and slowly upon) and carry either the dove or the bell as they walk peacefully along. a younger child would carry the dove, an older child the bell, being careful not to make it ring. This could be done along a tape line or around a circle rug or anywhere really.



This bunny was a candy box. I used sharpie markers to color in the dishes to match with corresponding color pom-poms. Include wooden tongs and this tweezing activity can simply be tweezing to transfer OR a more challenging color matching activity.



The next two photos are of another color matching work I created using playdough container covers (the color circles) and a dollar store storage jug with a twist off top. I cut a hole in the handle of the top and used the tape to cover any possible sharp plastic. I realize the dark tape takes away from the presentation but it doesn't seem to deter from the toddlers wanting to do this activity. They LOVE this, from the twist off top they can do themselves, to the "curplunk" sound the lids make as they fall in. This is a big hit (and it cost just under $3 to pull together). If these types of playdough lids are not available to you, milk container lids would work also. They don't come in bright colors but you could cover them or paint them or even affix an image to them to create matching pairs.




What's most important is to have fun! Use what's available, during these tough times, we all need to spend less money and to re~use materials when possible.
Happy Spring!
In PEACE ~ Jennifer

A Little Bird Told Me...

How to make a nest from a paper bag! So we did. You roll the bag from the top to the bottom curling it under as you go, next fill your nests with glue and all sorts of fun nesting materials: yarn, pipe~cleaner 'twigs', & pom-pom 'eggs'.



This was a quick and easy toddler Spring art activity. Every child wanted to participate and left carrying their very own nest. I heard some parents mention the Easter Bunny might even visit and leave something IN their nest!
Got paper bags? Then you've got bird nests to build!
Happy nesting...
In PEACE
Jennifer

Strawberries were on sale...

My Little One has been hungry allot lately, so to meet the constant begging for food throughout the morning from him, I created a food prep activity: cutting and serving strawberries! Plus strawberries were on sale. *Note: Little One eats a good b'fast and is in no way actually HUNGRY he just loves to eat. It's comforting, as is often the case for many growing bodies, but I just want to be clear: he is not actually suffering in any way, shape or form.

The set up (pictured) shows a purple vest (with the contact paper strawberry), the vest was for the person preparing the strawberries for serving. As a visual cue for the other children waiting. This was a very popular activity! WOW! I'm going to have to create more food prep. works. We went through TWO containers of berries today!
What do you do in your classrooms? Ideas are welcomed, thank you.
In PEACE,
Montessori Mama

Toddlers Spring PL Shelves

A view from the toddler's shelves: This week's favorites!
Color sorting pom-poms (we call them eggs)



Flower arranging (using florist foam and plastic flowers)

Four Seasons Birthday Mat

I'm not sure who it was who requested a photo of this finished but here you are! It's done and being used day after tomorrow to celebrate our friend James' 3rd birthday! Happy Birthday James!
I made this mat from felt and cotton fabrics, scraps I had mostly. The words are on card stock. laminated and have a small velcro tab on the back for attaching to the mat. This is the toddler child's point of interest by the by. Velcro! So much fun for little hands.

We introduce the 4 Seasons Mat with this song:
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
There's four seasons,
count them all,
1, 2, 3, 4!

The birthday Toddler walks our globe around the mat while we sing a special birthday song using sign language and music. (Our globe is a soft pillow ball globe I bought locally but I've seen for sale in Micheal O catalog.).

PEACE,
Jennifer

On the shelves...

Sorting Heart Bracelets on a Flower Post
(MM original)



Clothes Pin Drop (MM Original)



And on my wish list, these two items I saw at the AMS conference:
(I have no idea what either one is called or who makes then, I'm sorry! I just saw them and took this quick photo, it was a busy weekend. I'm sure when I unpack I'll find some more information)


Thank you to everyone who has placed an order for When I Make Silence! You are so kind and I hope it becomes something you use regularly in your classrooms and homes when playing the Silence Game.
PEACE
Jennifer

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

My husband and I are packing tonight. We leave Thursday for New Orleans! The AMS National Conference and great blues music. I am so excited! My book arrived today, here are the author's copies the note read. This is truly...well, I don't even have words. I mean it's not like I saved a life or helped anyone in any way, yet it is an accomplishment I'm proud of.

I hope other people enjoy it too. IF my scanner or my camera was working I would share a photo with you. Hopefully, Mallory will send me a picture for me to post soon. Hint, hint Mallory, luv you.

My mother-in-law is visiting to look after the boys, this will be the first time I've left Little One. And for Montessori Papa and I, this is our first trip away in seven years! I think we are due.

At the conference I will be signing copies of my book, any ideas on what I should write? I only just now thought of this. I'm wondering, do I simply sign my name or should I ask the person their name and then say something corny? If anyone has a suggestion I'd love to hear it.

Today:
I made another pie. Peach & apple, the combo was delicious. (again insert imaginary pie photo here) I'm thinking of starting another blog about pies.

'Taller Than Me' suggested I get my own Face Book page...I did, please visit me if you so desire. I feel so old! It's crazy getting on there and seeing all of these people you once knew and now know nothing about but still they hold a place in your heart and mind. It's revealing about how our memory works, isn't it? These people we meet as children, a time when our brains are growing rapidly. Their faces and voices are imprinted in our memories, then life continues and we meet new faces and hear new voices and those people from our childhood shift; gone but not forgotten. Then one day during a snow storm your teenager says, "Why don't you have a face book page Mom?" and before you know it, your knee deep in memories! And it feels like just a day ago we were all sitting in Algebra class waiting for the bell to ring.

So, obviously I'm rambling and it's getting late. The house is clean, the bags are packed, love notes all written....hopefully I'll have a photo of the cover of my book to share with you tomorrow. Thanks for reading as always.
PEACE to you and yours,
J

Ball Tube

I made this ball tube from a poster mailer (UPS store), color duct tape, and a basket of ping pong balls. My kiddos LOVE it. I used the back side of a shelf that has a dry erase board on it. [a safe surface to attach the strong tape to]

I simply taped the tube at an angle and provided the balls with a basket to catch them in. There are ten balls by the by and when I introduced this material to the children I counted each ball before sending it down the tube. I have to smile when I notice a two year old friend counting each ball before she sends it down the tube.

*This work could be created using smaller tubes (paper towel rolls) if your children are older and the objects that fit threw are not at risk of being eaten.

What are you waiting for? Get the ball rolling :)
~PEACE
Jennifer

Birds of Change Giveaway

We have a new President! Yeah!
Because this is such a special day I am participating in the Birds for Change Giveaway. I didn't mean for that to rhyme, but I kind of like that it did.

Anyway, the idea came from Creative Kismet (ONE of my favorite creative Mama blogs)her enthusiasm was contagious. I made six birds! But because my camera is presently being mailed to me by my MIL (thank you Susan!)I do not have a way to display my birds for all of you YET. I had hoped to successfully scan one tonight but so far I haven't been able to.

I am having fun making birds to give away and look forward to the ones I shall receive. People are so talented, just visiting some of the participating blogs this evening, has given me MORE ideas for birds I could make. Stop by Creative Kismet for a complete list of other blogs giving away birds this week. Good luck!

Please leave a comment on this post by Friday at 5pm (US EST) and I’ll announce the winner on Saturday morning January 24th.

This Little Light of Mine...

Have I mentioned that I LOVE our new Goodwill Store? While searching for containers for potential Montessori works, I discovered this flashlight for .59cents. Can't beat that!

Anyway, add some D batteries and a tray and you have a flashlight work for under $5.00. One little boy in the group is lovin' this work! He likes to build, put things together AND to take things apart. The flash light work is his new favorite material.

This month we've been talking about candles, the sun, light, shiny and dull, bright and dark etc; so this work has found a home on our shelves not a moment to soon.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
PEACE
~MM

What We've Been Up To: Practical Life

Here's a quick pic of Little One washing the door to our classroom. So often the windows, mirrors and doors are covered with hand prints and mouth marks (mostly from Little One). Today I thought I'd ask for helpers to help me clean these surfaces; several of my young friends were more than thrilled to oblige me. Tomorrow I think we will scrub the chairs. Purposeful work is very satisfying, especially to this two year old.

Other practical life activities my busy boy is 'into' presently are:

Feeding the birds (this involves carrying a large bin of bird seed from one end of the classroom to the other...which is his favorite part of the process)we are very fortunate to have a bird feeder that is attached to the glass of one of our windows. Our classroom is on the second floor and the window is just above floor level, so the children can lay on their tummies to watch the hungry birds to enjoy our daily offering. More about this soon...

Pushing Pipe Cleaners Work
There are 55 holes in the top of this seasons shaker ($1.89 local discount store). There are 55 pipe cleaners (27 cut in half + 1 half) provided (various colors). Lots of concentration is required to stay with this activity to its completion, most often one child will begin it and many others will follow adding a few colors here and there(some not-yet-two friends will remove the pipe cleaners).
Happy Creating!
PEACE
MM
PS I hope all had a happy and safe Halloween.

Caps for Babies

Knit One Save One
Every winter I try and do something for our world's children. I mostly do this because I had a wonderful role model in my own mother and I long to be that for my children. I participate in this particular effort because of Save the Children. If you don't know about this amazing organization please visit their web page and introduce yourself.
To be part of 'Knit One Save One' on a large scale you can do the following:
Write up a brief letter to your school families and share with them what your goal is. Last time I did this I said my goal was to collect 100 caps; I ended up collecting 121 caps! Share with them your goal and how they can help. Do they knit? Would they like to learn? Visit your local yarn shop and ask them to hang up a poster for you with where to mail donations. Get your church congregation involved and spread the word to the older generation. Knitting a small infant cap takes no time at all for the seasoned knitter. Next, set a dead line (when you want the caps collected by) and remember to check in with people closer to the collection date so that they can have time to buy one if they have not yet started knitting.
Happy Knitting Everyone!
PS: FYI, I don't know how to knit. I just collect the caps and send them on their way. Every bit helps and I'm doing what I can. Someday though, I'd love to learn how to knit. Maybe this winter?
If you want to contribute a cap visit: Save the Children
or contact me directly at spirals@gwi.net
In PEACE
Montessori Mama

A Work in PROCESS...

Because the image moved me, I snapped a photo of a child admiring a leaf. Next thing I know I'm sketching this

and then creating this
and then making changes...

I am happy with the details of the skirt and hair but not sure about the back ground color. Please share your thoughts.
Working Title: Autumn Reflection
Peace to all,
Montessori Mama

On the Toddler Language Shelf This Week

Here are a couple of finger plays I've made into works for the language shelf. 5 Little Monkeys and 5 Little Pumpkins. I suppose these could be on the math shelf also, but they've found themselves here. The toddlers are enjoying them and honestly so am I. It is lots of fun to share a familiar poem at circle and then again during the work session. What I enjoy most is when a pair of friends choose these and play them out with one another.
The reason for the extra large pumpkin in the bowl with the other small craft pumpkins is because one of the smaller ones has gone missing. With only four pumpkins in the bowl and five in the finger play, my toddler friends came up with a solution: use a REAL pumpkin!

*Side note: I'm really frustrated with my computer these days...it takes so long to post and I have so much to share....
thank you for still reading even when I post so infrequently. I have about twenty or so drafts waiting in the wings for photos. It always amazes me how quickly Monday arrives. This weekend just wasn't long enough for all I wanted to do!
Take care,
J
PS Middle Man was cast as Mole in the Wind and the Willows (local theater production)!!! I'm so excited for him.