monster list of montessori activities

MONSTER LIST OF

MONTESSORI ACTIVITIES

Ages 2.5 — 6

Aubrey Hargis, M.Ed.

CONTENTS Introduction 1Sensorial 2Music 5Practical Life 9Art 19Language 26Mathematics 41Geography 50Science 56

INTRODUCTION

This Monster List of Montessori Activities contains an all-encompassing list of Montessori activities, in a general sequence, that most resonate with children aged 2.5 - 6. It is categorized by subject area. The topics in this resource give a comprehensive answer to the common question, “How do I know what to teach my child during the preschool/kindergarten years?”

This lesson planning/record-keeping document is not to be used as a rigid, ordered list. It may be tempting to have such a structured system for your homeschool, but it is not the way children learn best. Every child will be on a unique path in the acquisition of skills and knowledge about the world.

This guide is for you to use for observation and planning, as you get into a nice, comfortable homeschooling rhythm as a family. Always follow your child first!

Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make

him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning

within him that light which is called intelligence.

- Maria Montessori

©Aubrey Hargis - Monster List of Montessori Activities 1

SENSORIAL

Activity or Skill Materials Child Used to Demonstrate Competency

Refining the Senses

Orders by Size: Largest to Smallest

Orders by Width: Thickest to Thinnest

Orders by Height: Tallest to Shortest

Orders by Length: Longest to Shortest

Compares Rough and Smooth Surfaces

Matches Sounds

Matches Fabrics

Identifies Temperature: Hot vs. Cold

Compares a Range of Temperatures: Hot, Warm, Lukewarm, Tepid, Cold


Identifies Weight: Heavy vs. Light

Compares Weight: Heavy - Heavier - Heaviest; Light - Lighter - Lightest

Identifies Objects by Feel Only (Mystery Bag)

Identifies Different Scents by Smelling Only

Matches Scents

Compares Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter

Names ColorsRedBlueYellowPurpleOrangeGreenWhiteBlack

Matches Colors

Grades Colors



Names and Explores Geometric Solids

Rectangular PrismTriangle-Based PyramidSquare-Based PyramidCylinderEllipsoidOvoidSphereTriangular PrismCubeCone

Names and Explores the Geometry Cabinet

CircleSquareRectangle TrianglePentagon HexagonHeptagonOctagonNonagon DecagonRhombusParallelogram TrapezoidOvalEllipse Curvilinear TriangleQuatrefoil

Explores the Constructive Triangles

Equilateral IsoscelesScalene



MUSIC


Musical Exploration

Listens to Lullabies

Says Nursery Rhymes

Moves Body to Music

Sings Simple Songs

Claps/Taps/Bounces/Pats with the Beat

Sings Fingerplays

Echos Musical Patterns

Creates Musical Patterns

Creates New Verses


Uses Musical Instruments with Music

Rhythm SticksDrumsJingle BellsFrog Croaker Triangle Finger CymbalsXylophone

Sings Call/Response Songs with Confidence

Listens and Dances to a Variety of Musical Genres

SoukousBluesCelticClassicalCountryDance ClubFolkGospelIndian MusicJazzPopReggaeRock

(add more!)

Understands Loud/Soft Volume

Understands Fast/Slow Tempo



Understands High/Low Pitch

Describes the Mood of a Piece in Terms of Happy/Sad

Uses Scarves for Musical Expression

Matches Music Pitches

Adds Sounds to Story to Enhance the Telling

Understands that Written Musical Notes Are Abstract Symbols for Music as It Is Played

Listens to Major Scales

Listens to Minor Scales

Sings Scales (lalala)

Participates in Singing in a Partner Song or Round



Uses Curwen Hand Signs with Solfege for Sung Notes(do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do)

Reading Music

Identifies Names of Musical NotesWhole NoteHalf NoteQuarter NoteEighth NoteSixteenth Note

Identifies names of musical restsWhole RestHalf RestQuarter RestEighth RestSixteenth Rest


The child has a mind able to absorb knowledge. He has the power to

teach himself.- Maria Montessori


PRACTICAL LIFE


Care of Self

Buttons and Unbuttons Fabric

Laces a String through Holes

Uses Hook and Loop (Velcro) Fasteners

Zips and Unzips Fabric

Snaps and Unsnaps Fabric

Buckles and Unbuckles Two Pieces

Ties String into a Bow and Unties

Washes Hands and Dries Them

Cleans Fingernails


Selects Own Clothing for the Day

Dresses Self for the Day

Changes Clothing when Soiled

Bathes Self: Washes Body and Hair

Brushes/Combs Hair

Brushes Teeth

Flosses Teeth

Puts on Coat/Hat/Gloves

Puts Coat/Hat/Gloves Away

Uses Tweezers



Care of Household

Squeezes Sponges

Washes Large Surface

Scrubs Large Surface

Washes Clothing

Dries Clothing

Clamps Clothespins

Folds Clothing

Hangs Up Clothing

Puts Clothing Away

Washes Dirty Dishes



Dries Clean Dishes

Puts Clean Dishes Away

Rolls a Rug

Arranges Flowers

Sweeps the Floor

Mops the Floor

Dusts Furniture

Uses a Whisk Broom

Uses a Dustpan

Polishes a Mirror

Polishes a Plant Leaf



Polishes Wood

Polishes Silver

Opens and Closes Locks

Food and Drink Preparation and Serving

Serves Self Water to Drink

Pours Liquids from One Small Container to Another

Pours Water into a Funnel

Uses a Baster to Transfer Water

Uses an Eyedropper to Transfer Water

Pours Dry Contents from One Small Container to Another

Transfers with a Spoon



Transfers with Tongs

Spreads with a Jam Spreader

Cuts Food with a Blunt (Butter) Knife

Cuts Food with a Wavy Chopper

Cuts Food with a Blunt Tipped, Serrated Knife or Plastic “Chef’s Knife”

Peels Vegetables

Cracks Nuts

Beats Eggs

Pits Cherries

Juices a Citrus Fruit

Cores/Sections an Apple



Rolls Dough

Uses a Cookie Cutter

Uses a Strainer for Floating Objects

Grinds with a Mortar and Pestle

Sets a Table

Folds Napkins

Tools

Hammers Nails into Wood

Uses a Screwdriver

Sands Wood with Sandpaper

Drills Holes into Wood



Grace and Courtesy

Introduces Self

Greets a Friend

Knows How Not to Interrupt

Gets the Attention of an Adult

Waits Patiently

Offers Food to Someone

Says Please

Says Thank You

Says You’re Welcome

Says Excuse Me



Blows One’s Nose in Public Discreetly

Coughs in Public Discreetly

Sneezes in Public Discreetly

Yawns Discreetly

Walks “On the Line”

Walks Quietly and Slowly in a Museum

Selects and Opens/Closes a Book Carefully

Welcomes a Visitor into One’s Home

Uses a Quiet Voice in a Quiet Space (Library)

Excuses Oneself from a Social Setting

Asks a Question



Offers to Help

Declines Help

Observes Someone Else Working

Uses Conflict-Resolution Strategies to Solve a Disagreement

Gives a Compliment

Takes Turns


And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process

which develops spontaneously in the human being.

- Maria Montessori


ART


Art Appreciation

Views Art Displayed in Home Environment

Views Art Displayed Outside of the Home

Has Conversations about Art

Asks Questions about Art

Finds Similarities between Two Pieces of Art

Finds Differences between Two Pieces of Art

Forms an Opinion about a Piece of Art in Terms of Mood: Happy, Sad, Angry, Curious, Mysterious


Listens to or Reads Biographies and Views the Art of Some Famous Artists.

Examples • Michelangelo• Leonardo da Vinci• Raphael• Botticelli• Pierre August Renoir• Claude Monet • Berthe Morisot• Vincent Van Gogh • Georges Seurat • August Rodin• Pablo Picasso • Henri Matisse • Edvard Munch • Louise Joséphine Bourgeois• Wassily Kandinsky • Raoul Hausmann• Andy Warhol • Roy Lichtenstein • Georgia O’Keefe• Frida Kahlo• Faith Ringgold



Studies and Listens to or Reads about a Variety of Art Movements and Styles.

Examples• Renaissance Art• Modern Art

• Impressionism• Post Impressionism• Cubism• Fauvism• Expressionism• Dadaism• Surrealism

• Pop Art

Visits Art Museums to Discuss Art and View Sculptures Large Installations

Artistic Techniques

Draws with a Variety of Drawing Tools

Mixes Colors to Make New ColorsRed + BlueBlue + YellowYellow + Red

Paints with a Variety of Types of Paint

TemperaAcrylic Watercolor Liquid watercolorPuffy PaintTextured Paint



Paints with a Variety of ToolsPaintbrushes,Various SizesToothbrushSpoonStickQ-tipsPaper ClipsFolded ObjectsStencilsStringMarblesStonesRope SpongesStraws

Draws/Paints on a Variety of Surfaces

Tissue PaperCoffee FiltersPrinter PaperConstruction PaperWax paperCardstockPoster BoardCardboard RocksCeramicWoodMetalFabric



Creates Sculptures with a Variety of Moldable Materials

Playdough ClaySalt DoughWireTapeCardboard WoodStringGlueSticks Paper Mache Making Coil/Pinch PotsMaking Impressions

Applies Glue to 1-inch by 1-inch-size Paper (Entire Square)

Applies Glue to the Edges of a Larger Piece (No Smaller than 3-inches by 3-inches)

Creates Collages and MosaicsConstruction Paper, Torn or Cut into ShapesPhotographsMagazine CutoutsTissue PaperDried LeavesButtonsLaceRibbonWrapping Paper



PrintingFingersCorkCardboardFound ObjectPotato

Tinting (Mixing White into Colors)

Shading (Mixing Black into Colors)

Crayon Resist Painting

Tearing PaperNotchNo Notch

Cuts Paper with Scissors

Sequence as Follows 1. Snipping - One snip (½ inch

wide 8-9 inch long) - no lines 2. Chopping - Two snips (2 ½

inches wise, 8-9 inches long) - no lines

3. Thick, straight line ½ inch wide

4. Thick, curved line 1 inch wide 5. Thick, S curved line 3 inch

wide6. Thin, straight line ½ inch wide7. Thin, curved line 1 inch wide 8. Thin, S curved line 1 inch

wide



Cuts on a Fold (Example: Construction paper folded with a thick line on one side, e.g., heart)

Cuts around a Shape with Scissors (Example: Metal Inset shapes)

Cuts a Spiral - Drawn with Sharpie on 8½ by 11 paper

Cuts a Straight-lined Spiral - Drawn with Sharpie on 8½ by 11 paper

Cuts Freely on a Variety of Paper

Uses a Variety of Office Tools for Art Projects (Examples: Hole puncher, Stapler, Tape, String)


The child can only develop fully by means of experience on his environment. We call such

experience ‘work.’

- Maria Montessori


LANGUAGE


Literature Appreciation

Listens to High-Quality Books in a Wide Variety of Genres, Read Aloud by an Adult

Nonfiction Realistic FictionHistorical FictionBiographyScience FictionFolkloreFantasyPoetry & Verse

Turns Pages in a Short Book, from Beginning to End

Selects Books for Read-Alouds

Demonstrates Understanding of a Plot by Acting out the Story

Observes others Reading (and Expressing Enjoyment)

Engages in Pre-Reading of Books (Pretend Reading and Looking at the Pictures) by Him/Herself


Hearing Sounds (Phonemic Awareness)

Asks and Answers Questions about Pictures

Dictates Thoughts or Stories for Adults to Write

Sings Rhyming Songs

Listens to Rhymes in Books/Poetry

Plays with Words in Conversation: Alliteration, Onomatopoeia, and Rhyming

Names and Describes Objects in the Environment

Plays “I Spy” with Initial Sounds

Plays “I Spy” with Ending Sounds

Plays “I Spy” with Middle Sounds

Visual Discrimination

Matches Object to Object



Matches Object to Picture

Matches Picture to Picture

Develops Vocabulary (Adult Uses the 3 Period Lesson)

Copies Patterns

Creates Patterns

Matches Alphabet Letters

Matches Word to Word (3 Part Cards)

Isolates/Spies One Object Out of a Cluttered Background (Figure Ground)

Plays the “What’s Missing?” Game

Concept Development

Retells a Story from Beginning to End (Sequencing)



Identifies Opposites

Classifies with Objects or Picture Cards

Matches “Go Together” Objects or Picture Cards

Speaking and Listening

Engages in Conversations with Adults

Participates in “I Wonder” Discussions

Listens to an Adult Tell a Story and Comprehends the Plot

Tells a Story (Original or a Retelling) to an Adult or Peer

Tells a Story While Taking Turns to Develop the Characters and Plot

Memorizes Short Poems, Rhymes, or Songs and Recites Them



Letter Sounds

Feels and Finger-Traces the Lowercase Sandpaper or Tactile Letters (Adult Uses the 3 Period Lesson)

Check Off Letters As They Are Introduced; Order Is Not Important But One Possibility Is As Follows

• Set 1: m, a, c, t, s, f, p, o, z, b (After set 1 is introduced, the child may be interested in word building with the moveable alphabet.)

• Set 2: d, e, g, h, i, j, k, l, n, q, r, u, v, w, x, y

• Set 3: qu, ai, ee, ie, oa, oo, ue, ou, oy, er, ar, or, th, sh, ch, au

Matching Sandpaper/Tactile Letters to Objects (Initial Sound)

Matches Objects or Pictures to Letters (Initial Sound)

Beginning Handwriting

Draws Freely on a Chalkboard



Uses the Metal Insets to Trace an Outline with a Colored Pencil

Check Off As the Child Explores the Shapes

SquareOvalTriangleEllipseCircleRectangleCurvilinearTriangleQuatrefoilTrapezoidPentagon

Explores Inside the Outlines of the Metal Inset Shapes

Check Off As the Child Explores the Techniques

Tracing the Frame Several Times with Different ColorsStraight Lines Spaced Far ApartStraight Lines Close TogetherCurvy, Wavy Lines Zigzag PatternsTurning the Shape AroundShading with Various ColorsLayering Different ShapesDouble Outline Exploring Patterns

Punches Around an Outline with a Push Pin



Traces His/Her Name, Words, or the Outline of a Picture

Uses a Sand Tray to Draw the Shapes of Letters with Two Fingers

Writes Letters with Similar Formation on a Chalkboard

Check Off as the Child Explores These Groupings

Set 1: i, t, l, u, jSet 2: v, w, x, y, z, kSet 3: c, a, d, g, q, o, eSet 4: r, m, n, h, b, pSet 5: s, f

Writes Numbers on a Chalkboard

Uses a Pencil (with a Three Point Grip) to Write Letters and Numbers on Paper

Draws a Picture and Dictates Words (labels) for the Adult to Write. The Child Then Traces the Words (or not)

Beginning Reading: Short Vowels

Matches Objects to Initial Sound Letters

Plays the “Clue” Game with an Adult (Object Box 1)



Matches the Sandpaper Letters to the Moveable Alphabet Letters

Uses the Moveable Alphabet to Build Short CVC Words / Word Families

Matches an Objects or Pictures to Written CVC Words

Words you might consider using for these short vowel sounds

• Short /a/: cat, hat, fan, man, map, pan, rat, van, bag, cab

• Short /e/: bed, egg, hen, jet, net, peg, pen, pet, web

• Short /i/: kid, pig, pin, lid, six, bib, wig, zip

• Short /o/: box, dog, fox, hog, log, mop, ox, pot, top

• Short /u/: bug, bun, bus, cub, cup, gum, jug, rug, sun

Reads and Writes Short Lists of CVC Words

Reads and Writes CVC Words that Rhyme

Reads “Secret Messages” with CVC Words

Plays the “Verb” Game with Short CVC Words



Reads Some Puzzle Words In and Outside of the Context of a Short Book

Labels Objects around the House with Word Cards

Reads Short Phrases Containing CVC Words

Reads Complete Sentences Containing CVC Words

Reads Short Books Containing CVC Words

Sorts Singular vs Plural Words with Matching Objects/Pictures

Consonant Blends and Digraphs

Matches Objects or Pictures to Words with Phonograms, Initial Consonant Blends, or Digraphs

Select Some of the Combinations Listed Below to Match to Objects/Pictures as Needed

Reads Words Containing Phonograms (ai, ee, ie, oa, ue, sh, ch, th, oo, ar, er, or, ou, oy, qu)



Reads Words with Initial Consonant Blends

Examples• bl- cl-, fl-, pl-, and sl- (blob,

clip, clam, flag, plug, plum, sled)

• br-, cr-, dr-, fr-, gr-, pr-, tr- (brim, crab, drum, frog, grip, trap)

• st-, sp-, sn-, sw-, sm-, sk-, tw- (stop, spot, snip, swim, smock, skunk, twig)

Reads Words with Ending Consonant Blends

Examples • -ck, -sp, -sk, -ss, -st (clock,

duck, truck, rock, sock, cusp, wisp, desk, dress, nest, vest)

• -mp, -nd, -nk, -nt, -ng (lamp, bald, hand, trunk, lint mint, long, ring)

• -ft, -rk, -lt, -lf, -ll, -ld (raft, fork, golf, belt, bell, bald)

Reads Words with Initial/Ending Consonant Digraphs

Examples• ch-, sh-, kn-, qu-, th-, wr-,

wh- (chick, chip, chin, chimp, chill, knob, knack, quit, quack, shed, shell, shift, ship, shop, thin, thick, thump, wrap, whip, when)

• -sh, -th, -ch, -mb (ash, brush, dish, cloth, much, rich, lamp, thumb)



Reads Words with Triple Blends

Examples• str-, spr-, scr-, spl-, shr-

(strap, strip, string, spring, spring, sprint, scrub, scrap, scratch, split, splash, shrimp)

• -tch, -nch, -rch (itch, ditch, witch, stitch, catch, bench, wrench, ranch, arch, march)

Uses the Moveable Alphabet to Write Original Words, Phrases, and Sentences

Plays the “Verb” Game with Words Containing Consonant Blends

Reads Sentences Containing Phonetically Decodable Words and Some Puzzle Words

Reads Beginner Books that Contain Consonant Blends, Digraphs, and Puzzle Words

Reads “silent e” Words



Building Vocabulary

Reads Words, Associates Them with Pictures, and Sorts Them into Categories (Classified Nomenclature / 3 part cards)

Integrated into other Subjects• Practical Life• Sensorial • Zoology• Geography• Geometry• Botany

Reads Command Card Sentences

Grammar (The Farm)

Plays the Noun Game (Black Triangle)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Nouns

Plays the Article Game (Small Blue Triangle)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Articles

Plays the Adjective Game (Medium-sized Blue Triangle)



Identifies, Labels, and Writes Adjectives

Plays the Adjective Detective Game

Plays the Verb Game (Red Circle)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Verbs

Plays the Adverb Game (Small Orange Circle)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Adverbs

Plays the Conjunction Game (Pink Rectangle)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Conjunctions

Plays the Preposition Game (Green Arc)

Identifies, Labels, and Writes Prepositions

Plays the Pronoun Game (Purple Triangle)



Identifies, Labels, and Writes Pronouns

Writing Mechanics

Capitalizes Beginning of a Sentence

Capitalizes Proper Nouns and Pronouns (I)

Uses a Period

Uses a Question Mark

Uses an Exclamation Mark

Word Study

Reads Compound Words

Uses “Inventive Spelling” to Write

Creates and Adds to a Personal Dictionary



Expressive Writing

Observes the Writing Process in Action

Draws a Pictures and Writes Words/Sentences about It

Writes Messages to Loved Ones or to Tell a Story

Observes and Participates in the Creation and Use of Graphic Organizers and Brainstorming Techniques

Examples• Lists• Bubble Maps• Freewriting• Venn Diagrams• Charts

Writes and Self-Publishes Own Book with Original Content


Language is an instrument of collective thought.

- Maria Montessori


MATHEMATICS


Introduction to Numbers One to Ten (Number Sense)

Listens to and Participates in Nursery Rhyme/Finger Play Counting Rhymes

Listens to and Participates in Counting Fingers/Toes/Objects in Environment

Counts Numbers 1-10 Orally (rote counting)

Check Off These Numbers as Child Can Count Orally (up to in order); Mixing Up the Sequence is Developmentally Normal; Keep Playing with Numbers as This Ability Develops

12345678910

Matches Object to Object


Matches Objects to Cards

Understands One to One Correspondence (Red & Blue Rods)

Plays with Small Quantities of Objects (1-5) Orally Adding/Subtracting Them (No Equations or Prompting)

Identifies Numerals 1-9 (Sandpaper/Tactile Numerals)

Check Off the Numbers Child Can Recognize by Sight

123456789

Sorts & Counts 1-9 Objects



Fetches 1-9 Objects

Check Off the Numbers Child Fetches Correctly

123456789

Guesses Quantity of Objects Without Counting (1-5)

Understands the Concept of Zero (Spindle Box)

Plays the Fetching Zero Game

Plays the Mystery Counting Game with Correct Number of Objects

Understands Concept of Odd & Even

Orders Colored Beads into a Stair/Tree and Names Them by Quantity



Introduction to the Golden Beads (The Decimal System)

Knows the names and Quantities of the Golden Beads 1, 10, 100, and 1000

Completes the Numeral Layout

Completes the 45 Layout with Golden Beads

Completes the 45 Layout with Golden Beads and Numerals

Plays Fetch with the Golden Beads

Makes a Large Number With the Numeral Layout and Golden Beads

Exchanges Ten Units for 1 Ten Bar, 10 Ten Bars for 1 Hundred Cube and 10 Hundred Cubes for 1 Thousand Cube



Sequence

Counts Numbers 11-20+ Orally

Check Off the Numbers as the Child Can Count Them Orally (in sequence); Note That This Ability May Take Some Time to Develop

1112131415 16171819202122232425+

Names and Knows Quantities for Teen Numbers

Check Off the Numbers as the Child Can Name Them by Sight

111213141516171819



Matches the Numerals 1-12 to a Clock Face

Places Objects Next to Minute Line on a Clock Face

Manipulates Clock Hands to Show O’clock Times

Manipulates Clock Hands to Show Half Hour Times

Places 5 Bead Bars Around a Clock Face to Skip Count to 60

Counts by 10’s and Understands the Quantities of Numbers 10 to 99 (Ten’s Board)

Orders the Numbers 1-100 on a Board (Hundred Board)

Lays Out the Hundred Chain and Places Numerals Next to Numbers 1-100

Lays Out the One Thousand Chain and Places the Numerals Next to Numbers 1-1000

Writes Numbers in Order Beginning with 1 (Number Roll)

Uses Colored Bead Chains to Skip Count and Place Numerals in Order



Identifies and Sorts Money (Coins and Bills)

Counts and Exchanges Money: Coins Worth Smaller Amounts for Coins/Bills Worth Larger Amounts

Operations

Solves Simple Addition Problems with the Bead Stair

Plays the Addition Snake Game

Solves Simple Addition with the Strip Board

Solves Simple Addition Problems (random) with the Colored Bead Bars

Solves Simple Addition Problems with Other Objects (Counters, Beans)

Solves Multiplication Problems from 1x1 - 10x10 on a Multiplication Board

Plays the Banker’s Game with Static Addition

Solves Simple, One Digit Multiplication with the Colored Beads



Explores Properties of Fractions by Cutting Food into Equal Parts

Performs Simple Division Problems in Real Life without Written Equations

Makes Up and Solves a Variety of “Word Problems” that Apply to Real Life; Uses a Variety of Manipulatives to Solve Real-Life Problems

Check Off the Operations Explored

AdditionMultiplicationSubtractionDivision

Plays “Store” with Money

Solves Large Static Addition Problems

Check Off the Manipulatives UsedGolden BeadsStampsBead Frame

Solves Large Dynamic Addition Problems




Solves Large Static Multiplication Problems


Solves Dynamic Multiplication Problems


Solves Large Static Subtraction Problems


Solves Dynamic Subtraction Problems with the Golden Beads

Check Off the Manipulatives UsedGolden BeadsStamps

Solves Static Division Problems




GEOGRAPHY


Our Solar System

Introduced to a Few Facts about the Sun

Identifies Parts of the Sun

Makes a Map of Our Solar System

Names the Planets of Our Solar System

Orders Planets from Closest to the Sun to the Furthest from the Sun (Tactile Planets)

Introduced to each planet in our solar system, learns a few facts, and sings a song about them

Check Off These Planets as You Discuss Them

MercuryVenusEarthMarsJupiterSaturnUranusNeptune


Demonstrates “Rotate” and “Revolve”

Understands What Causes “Day” and “Night”

Researches Some Part of Our Solar System

Draws/Dictates/Writes about Some Part of Our Solar System

Our Earth

Introduced to the Concept of Land, Water, and Air (Land & Water Globe) and Sings a Song About Them

Collects Samples of Land, Water, and Air

Classifies/Sorts Photos of Land, Water, and Air

Classifies/Sorts Photos of Animals or Objects That Travel through/on Land, Water, and Air

Paints Brown and Blue Watercolors for Land and Water on a Map

Uses Playdough to Create a Tactile Land Map



Identifies the Parts of the Earth

Our Continents and Oceans

Introduced to the Continents (Continent Globe) and Sings the Continent Song

Identifies the Continents of Earth (Continent Puzzle Map)

Check Off as Child Knows ThemNorth America: OrangeSouth America: PinkAfrica: GreenEurope: RedAsia: YellowAustralia/Oceania: BrownAntarctica: White

Paints and Mashes a Citrus to Demonstrate Concept of Planisphere

Demonstrates Concepts of Sphere, Hemisphere, and Planisphere with Playdough

Creates Own Continent Map with Labels



Identifies all 5 Oceans on the Earth

Check Off as Child Knows Them Pacific OceanAtlantic OceanIndian OceanArctic OceanSouthern Ocean

Labels the Oceans on the Hand-made Continent Map

Our Land and Water Forms

Introduced to Land and Water Forms

Identifies 10 Main Land and Water Forms

Check Off as Child Knows These IslandLakePeninsulaGulfCapeBayIsthmusStraitArchipelagoChain of Lakes

Manipulates Pea Gravel, Sand, Clay, etc. into Land Forms and Pours Water In to Simulate Them



Glues Brown Land Form Shapes onto Blue Paper and Blue Water Form Shapes onto Brown Paper

Paints Land Forms Brown and Water Forms Blue

Examines Real Photos of Land and Water Forms

Explores Google Maps with an Adult to Locate Satellite Images of Land and Water Forms

Biomes

Introduced to the Biomes and Sings a Song About Them

Identifies 8 Major Biomes on Earth

Check Off as Your Child Can Identify These Biomes

Desert: Orange Polar Region: WhiteWetlands: TurquoiseGrasslands: Yellow Temperate Forest: Light GreenTropical Forest: Dark Green Ocean: Blue Mountains: Purple

Studies Biomes by Reading Books, Drawing, Dictating, and/or Writing about Them



Locates Biomes on a Map

Creates a Relief Map of Biomes in One Continent

Special Cultural Studies

Engages in Special Cultural Studies Throughout the Entire 3 - 4 Years of This Curriculum

Examples• Famous Peacemakers• Famous Scientists• Holidays/Celebrations• Famous Musicians• Famous Artists


The period under six is decisive. Whatever abilities the child

constructs then will remain incarnate in him for life.

- Maria Montessori


SCIENCE


Introduction to Biology

Introduced to Concept of Living vs. Non-Living

Plays the Living vs. Non-Living Game

Introduced to Plant vs. Animal

Plays the Plant vs. Animal Game

Classifies Photos of Plants/Animals

Botany

Reads Books about Plants/Gardening

Names Parts of a Tree

Makes a Bark Rubbing


Paints a Piece of Wood

Polishes a Piece of Wood

Sands a Piece of Wood

Classifies Trees as Deciduous/Evergreen

Makes Own Paper

Names Parts of a Leaf

Makes a Leaf Rubbing

Paints a Leaf

Makes a Leaf Collage

Polishes a Leaf

Names Parts of a Flower



Preserves Leaves and/or Flowers by Pressing Them

Investigates Parts of a Real Flower

Arranges Flowers for Display Purposes

Names Parts of a Bean

Sprouts a Bean and Investigates the Parts

Plants Seeds and Watches Them Grow

Tends a Garden

Waters/Mists Indoor Plants

Inspects Decomposing Material Outdoors

Participates in Composting Food Scraps

Participates in Local Recycling Programs



Repurposes Materials Set Out for the Landfill

Zoology

Reads Books about Animals

Names Parts of Animals

Introduced to the Concept of Bones

Names the Bones in the Human Body

Reads Books about Skeletons

Scrubs a Bone

Introduced to the Concept of Vertebrate vs Invertebrate

Classifies Vertebrates and Invertebrates



Studies the Five Classes of Vertebrates

Check Off as you Study TheseFishBirdsReptilesMammalsAmphibians

Compares and Contrasts Characteristics of Vertebrates

Questions to Ask• Lay eggs?• Live birth? • Babies nursed? • Fur? • Scales? • Skin? • Feathers?• Fins? • Claws? • Live on land? • Live in water? • Warm blooded? • Cold blooded?

Reads Books about Invertebrates



Studies the Eight Classes of Invertebrates

Check Off as You Study ThesePorifera (Sponges)Cnidarians (Jellyfish, Corals, Sea Anemones)Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)Nematoda (Roundworms)Annelida (Earthworms)Echinodermata (Sea Star, Sea Urchin, Sea Cucumbers)Mollusca (Squid, Snails)Arthropoda (Insects, Ticks, Spiders, Lobsters, Crabs)

Classifies Animals as Carnivores, Herbivores, and Omnivores

Physical Science Experiments

Blows Air to Make Bubbles (Bubble Blowing)

Watches a Flame Extinguish without Air (Fire Needs Air)

Discovers Secondary Colors (Color Mixing)

Discovers That Water Has “Skin” (Surface Tension)

Discovers That Water Can Be Displaced (Water Displacement)



Classifies Objects That Sink or Float

Classifies Objects That Are Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Explores the Way Various Objects Fall to the Ground (Air Resistance)


Love is more than the electricity which lightens our darkness, more

than the etheric waves that transmit our voices across states, more than

any of the energies that man has discovered and learned to use. Of all

things love is the most potent.

- Maria Montessori


monster list of montessori activities

Documents