Autumn is just around the corner, and the AMC 2011 Fall Hands On Newsletter is filled with ideas to help make Autumn 2012 truly meaningful for the children in your life. Most of the ideas, lesson plans and other creative offerings have been generously donated by the participants of the AMC Resource Center http://www.amonco.org/directory.html, and I have contributed a few myself. This newsletter is free of charge and contains free lesson plans, recipes and crafts.
Perhaps, you don’t live in an area where you can see the change of seasons firsthand. You have only seen the changing color of the leaves via a travelogue and can only imagine such majesty of nature. In Part I of the AMC Hands On Fall Montessori Newsletter, you will find the resources you need to help children learn about how and why leaves change color and how to grow and pick pumpkins and other aspects of fall gardening. Links to apple unit studies and apple recipes and crafts and more are available by clicking here and other sections of this newsletter.
Fall Gardening
Rae, from the Creative Process, provides autumn planting tips. See http://www.amonco.org/creative01/montessori_fall1.pdf Rae also see
http://www.amonco.org/creative2/montessori_fall4.pdf” to access Rae’s
Plant a Tree Curriculum Resources & Lesson Ideas.
Special Apple Recipes and Crafts
Dale, from North American Montessori Center, has contributed many Montessori presentations, including two excellent practical life exercises for this issue.
First, you will want to read through the Making Apple-Cinnamon Muffins unit. Let Dale walk you through setup, presentation, making the muffins, tidying up and tasting – all Montessori style. Extension exercises are also included. See Part V
Second, Dale has whipped up a delicious Montessori style Making Applesauce practical life exercise and recipe. See Part V of this newsletter to access this practical life exercise plus additional Montessori lessons contributed by North American Montessori Center.
Experience the delicious Apple Sauce Parfait recipe from Cooking with Children Can Be Easy.. Kathy O’Reilly told me that she had used this recipe with toddlers (18 months) through adults (81 years) and that it tastes kind of like apple pie. Sequence cards, shopping list, station setup of equipment, booklist, finger play and extension activities are also provided in this lesson plan. Kathy O’Reilly was a much beloved person as well as Montessorian. As a special tribute, her daughter, Sarah, wanted to share two of Kathy’s recipe with AMC readers.
Don’t forget to download both the http://www.amonco.org/creative7/montessori_fall7.pdf to access the delicious the Apple Angel Food Cake recipe courtesy of Montessorian Dianne Knesek from Conceptual Learning.
Recipes
Gourmet chef Cherry Mae Miro, contributed some Filipino favorites that can be incorporated in holiday and multicultural gatherings. See Part VIII. Cherry Mae has also included some additional mouth watering recipes for the fall and winter holidays. See Part VI to access the information. Gari, from Music for Little Folks contributed a very special chocolate pudding recipe. Visit Part IV to access the recipe. Elaine, from Kimbo Educational, forwarded a special Spider Cookies recipe which you can access by clicking here.All of these recipes are perfect for autumn parties.
The Danish Aebleskiver contributed by Rae of the Creative Process, Lithuanian Cranberry Cake by Ligia of Childsake http://www.amonco.org/creative6/montessori_fall6.pdf and the German Oma’s Cake shared by Carolyn of Excellence in Education are three recipes that are perfect for the upcoming fall and winter months. Carolyn has also used the dough in the classroom for many creative projects.
Larry, from Farm Country General Store, has contributed the Farm Country Favorite Zucchini Bread recipe. Yum!! This bread is sure to be welcomed as a food gift, or, at a family or holiday gathering. See Part VII
Enjoy a slice of the zucchini bread with a serving with another Farm Country General Store Favorite – Hot Baked Chicken Salad. Click on http://www.amonco.org/creative/montessori_fall4.pdf
In Part II you will also find a rice pudding recipe submitted by Vera of The Music House.
Music
Georgette, from Cantemos, will lead you step by step on how to make a guiro. Think of the fun this musical instrument will create in your school and home classrooms. It will add much to multicultural discussions involving music and musical instruments of Latin America. Visit this link for details.
Marjorie, from Classical Magic, developed a well designed lesson plan for autumn by Vivaldi – from The Four Season. See Part VIIY ou will discover that her very creative ideas can be adapted for various age groups. The Classical Magic program is now available through Sing ‘ Learn. See Part VII to access the free lesson plan and to connect with Sing ‘ Learn.
Back to School Montessori Crafts and Exercises
In Part III, Dale Gausman, from the North American Montessori Center, shares two great back to school exercises. To access The Friendship Tree and the Getting to Know You Exercises click here.
Sara Ambarian’s Autumn Colors Tissue Paper Art Project is a perfect Montessori sensorial exercise to help usher in fall. For instructions and to see the accompanying photos of what other young students created point your browser to http://www.amonco.org/creative5/montessori_fall5.pdf
Sewing, Knitting and Needlepoint
In Part V, Dale from North American Montessori Center, provides a very organized practical life exercise that includes the materials, presentation, setting up, sewing and finally finishing a Friendship Quilt. See Part V for details.
Harrisville Designs offers several felt crafts, including the Felted Ball Ornament, Felted Bead Necklaces and Felted Pouches. See Part I to get started
Lois, from Bountiful, forwarded an easy to knit pattern that is perfect for beginners. Visit Broken Rib Scarf with Seed Stitch Border – EASY BEGINNER PATTERN to access this information.
Ruth, of Ruth Dilts Design, contributed complete instructions on how to make coasters. See Part VI for details.
It’s never to early to start preparing for holiday crafting. In Part III, Montessori teacher Cathie Perolman shared her adorable Snow Covered Pine Trees craft. See http://www.amonco.org/creative3/montessori_fall3.pdf for details.
Anna, from Wood, Etc., suggested that young children make Zebras which can be used in an Animal Safari unit study. This project is indeed easy and inexpensive to make. Click here for more information.
Handwriting Practice
Nan Barchowsky has generously shared her writing pattern activity and a brand new calligram. This activity is available in .pdf for downloading. Take a moment now, to download your copy. Visit Part VII for details.
Some Additional Indoor and Outdoor Lesson Planning
In Part VI Rae Petersen, from The Creative Process, shares Educational Posters Directory, Resources Guide for Lifelong Learners, Classrooms, and Homeschoolers. Montessorian Dale Gausman, of North American Montessorian Center, shares some marvelous ideas that you can use right now in the article Montessori Cosmic Education and Peace: The Outdoor Environment. See Part V for details.
Art Lesson Plans
Click here to access the Color Wheel Lesson Plans shared by Rae of Creative Process. Rae tells us that these lessons can be adapted for elementary age through adult learner, and by seeing what is offered I thoroughly agree. The ideas can be integrated in art, social studies, writing, and science lessons. Rae also submitted her new Make at Home Craft Recipes. See Part III to access the lesson plans.
Holiday Craft Gift Giving
The Painted Kitchen Trivet Gift, courtesy of Fun Felt is a marvelous craft that serves as a unique gift.
Wood Crafting and Drawing
By clicking here you will find a Wood Dough Recipe for Sculpting from Richard Lord of LORD Company, and a Turtle Drawing Lesson form Kim, of Draw Your World. Richard’s recipe is a great practical life extension exercise. Kim creates integrated lessons that develop handwriting, drawing, science and more. These lessons can be customized for different age groups.
Fall Themed integrated Social Studies Lesson Planning
Science and Nature
In In Part II
John, from Exploration Education, will walk you through the science activity SIMPLY SOUND, which helps children understand the properties of sound, and they will actually have fun doing so. Visit Part VIII for details.
Don and Diana, from Nature’s Workshop Plus, have authored the article Delighting in Discovering Little Things. Set aside time to read this informative piece. Children will discover new ways to see the world through a hand held magnifying glass or microscope. See http://www.amonco.org/creative/montessori_fall4.pdf to download this information.
Ever been on a microscope safari? Get ready, set, go! See
Part IX for additional information.
Receive a complete cardiovascular unit study for K – 12 with links for post secondary students by visiting Part VIII
Free Educational Games
Alan, from Stillson Works, offers some unique innovative Middle School Word Puzzles These puzzles will be especially useful for Columbus Day, Christmas, etc. Alan’s puzzles are also unique holiday gifts. For More Middle School Word Puzzles, please also see http://www.amonco.org/creative6/montessori_fall6.pdf
See Part IX to access the Birdcage Press art activities. Combine Learning and Fun at Art Museums article plus links to the Treasure Hunt, Art Collector, I Spy an Eye and Scavenger Hunt games.
Literature Lessons
Searching for the right book? When in doubt, start with the winners! Rita, from literatureplace.com will show you how to do just that! Whether you are in the process of compiling a reading booklist or in the process of creating your own book-awards program, this is the place to start. literatureplace.com is delighted to announce their latest development. The new homeschool.literatureplace.com/ has just been launched! Visit http://www.amonco.org/creative/montessori_fall4.pdf to download Rita’s information and to learn more about the special new discounts!
Math
In Part III and Part VI, Dr. Borenson of Hands On Equations has provided some free algebra samples for you to present to your children. click on Part 3 and Part 6 to download the exercises.
Montessorian Dianne Knesek shares her Montessori math exercises in .pdf To access the instructions and accompanying .pdfs, see Math Sequencing click here – Part II and here – Part VII Fraction Circle Labels and Extensions
Social Studies
It’s time to create a fall themed unit about how Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. Read Celebrating the Harvest: Thanksgiving in the Great White North and discover how you can create interdisciplinary lessons that are both enlightening and meaningful. Then, invite your students to step back in time to study of the lifestyle of the Pilgrims. In Plymouth, Massachusetts: A Local Perspective on the Pilgrims, by Sara Ambarian, you will find an outstanding overview, resource links and other information which will enable you to create a unit study on this topic.
Next, invite your children to take a tour of Italy.
To access this integrated italian unit study, complete with lessons focusing on the art, history, music, language and cuisine, point your browser to Part IV
To see the complete nine part newsletter .pdfs, please visit
http://www.amonco.org/montessori_fall_handson.html
Now, that you have some new lesson plans, delve in and begin to put some extra sparkle into your school and home school settings. I wish you a fun filled autumn.
Visit American Montessori Consulting and look under New and Notable for additional articles and free lesson plans.
Enjoy!
Heidi Anne Spietz
http://www.amonco.org
Copyright 2000-2012 American Montessori Consulting
