Felt Heart Matching

This is an extension of color box 2.  I just cut out hearts of all 11 colors to match!  It's beautiful all laid out and brightens up the classroom in February.  The heart basket was just a lucky thrift store find :)

Sense of smell Mr. Sketch marker work!

During our human body unit we devoted a couple of weeks to the five senses.  The Mr. Sketch markers are a fond memory of my elementary days so I made a work out of it!  We got the basic pack of 12 markers and printed out real images of each food they represented.  On the back of each card I used the matching marker to make a dot of color for control of error.  Then I made a black line image of each fruit for them to make their own booklet.

This is how they set it out.

After matching and self correcting each one to the color coding on the back of each card they could make a book using the smelly markers!  They really do smell even when on the paper!  The older child also wrote the name of the food on each page.  We were sure to tell them not to put the marker on their nose or they'd have a mark!

Because the markers are so strong I grouped the 12 papers together with a paperclip and they colored each one separately on an art mat, so that the color wouldn't bleed on to the one behind it.  They stapled it once they were done.

Fall Mystery Bag Items

The mystery bag is one of my favorite works in the classroom and it also seems to be one that can be forgotten about as the year goes on.  To keep it inviting, I try and switch out the items each month or so and relate it to the current unit study or holiday.  These are the items that were in it for November.  It was used often!

Color Box 3 Layout Mat

This is something I've wanted to make forever!  I found that every time a child did color box 3 it was very tricky for them to set out the tablets in the circular pattern.  So I made this out of felt!  Super simple and easy!  Felt, felt glue, and a dinner plate to trace for the circle!  At our school we have a small crystal globe (that my director picked up from a thrift store) that we can put in the center.  You could place your Montessori globe, or get a fun crystal from Michaels or other craft store, in the center just to beautify it!  As soon as school starts up again I'll get a picture of it with all the color tablets laid out!