Sewing a Map of the World

I had three students complete one of these this year.  It is a lot of work and a long attention span is a must!  We traced the continents from the world map onto a large piece of felt.  Very carefully, the beads were sewn on one at a time.  

It took a couple of weeks of on and off working for these kids to finish their maps. 

So beautiful!

Sewing with Beads

This past year most of my students were 4 or 5 years old.  Toward the end of the year it appeared they need some more activities that took a while to do, that they could work on everyday, and have something to be so proud of to take home.

There was a lot of embroidery happening and we decided to add beads.  I got this idea after visiting another Montessori classroom!  

This 5 year old finished a rainbow.

Jam on Crackers

Food prep is very popular in my classroom.  So many skills go in to this activity all for a small piece of bread and jam.

I cut up slices of bread and put them in an air tight food storage container.  

The jam is in a baby food jar.  Instead of a knife, we used a spoon because our jam was runny.  We made it ourselves in the classroom (without heat) and it was delicious but runny!

The child unfolds one napkin and uses the spoon and spreads some jam on their bread.

After eating this (carefully over their napkin) they catch their crumbs by folding the napkin in by the corners. 

They use the sponge to wipe off the spoon or if it's extra sticky, they wash it at the sink.  

Chinese Flag   

For our Asia unit, we had a focus on China.  

The small flag I got at the party store.

Lucky, we had the two different star punches.]

Play Dough

I have play dough in my classroom throughout the year.  It's great for fine motor development, developing concentration, getting the work cycle down, as well as building a sense of order having to keep all their items on their tray as as well as on an art mat.

It's fun to make, easy to gear to whatever type of unit study or holiday is in season, and at craft stores such as Joanne's and Michaels there are tons of different cookie cutters.  I often have good luck at Cost Plus World Market for unique cookie cutters.

Here is my favorite play dough recipe

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 TBS cream of tarter

1 TBS oil

1 cup water

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tarter together.

Mix water, oil, and food coloring together.

Mix in sauce pan over medium heat until it forms a ball.

Take out and knead until cool.

It's fun to add glitter as well :)  Just mix it in the water!

Chinese Zodiac Play Dough

I made Red Play dough with my favorite play dough recipe (see below)

Using as many zodiac cookie cutter animals as I could find, the kids would make the shapes!

I hope to add more by the next time we study Asia!

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 TBS cream of tarter

1 TBS oil

1 cup water

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tarter together.

Mix water, oil, and food coloring together.

Mix in sauce pan over medium heat until it forms a ball.

Take out and knead until cool.

It's fun to add glitter as well :)  Just mix it in the water!

Tea Pouring

To supplement our study on Asia we practiced pouring tea, 

This is a cute matching set (sorry, I don't know where it's from!).