Winter and the holidays are now just around the corner, and once again, the AMC resource participants have not let their readers down. Many of the participants have contributed outstanding lesson plans, recipes, crafts and other interesting activities that you can use right now in your school and home classrooms. Below, are just some of the highlights of what you will find in this issue.
Part 1
See http://www.amonco.org/winter1/montessori_winter1.pdf
In Part 1 you will discover the following:
Rae, from the Creative Process, has offered numerous free activities that will spark the imagination of your students: Scribble Designs, Masks and Mask Making, A Sharing Food Unit Study, Teaching Alternative Energy Ideas, and some timely information to help you get ready for a “new” year will all add some zip to your winter lesson planning.
The North American Montessori Center (NAMC) offers a blog filled with Montessori activities for school and home school educators. See the end of Part I to discover the Montessori Magnetic Chips, Snowman Picture and Christmas Flower Arranging activities.
Part II
See http://www.amonco.org/winter2/montessori_winter2.pdf
A yummy Old Fashioned Sugar Cookie Cutouts is a delicious treat that you will want to include for your holiday celebrations.
Nan Barchowsky has generously contributed her Big Numbers Writing Activity. Receive directions and templates for a writing activity that you can use right now with your children.
Why not have some hands on science fun this winter? John, from Exploration Education, introduces the “Air Lift” and “To float, or not to float?” science activities.
Next, turn your attention to creating some integrated social studies lessons by using the Christmas in Australia unit study.
Finally, try your hand at making a delicious crustless pumpkin pie.
Part III
See http://www.amonco.org/winter3/montessori_winter3.pdf
Receive a direct link to a Montessori Napkin Folding exercise courtesy of the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). Children will enjoy this practical life exercise as they participate in preparing the holiday dinner table for guests.
Nothing smells better during the cold autumn and winter months, than walking into a room filled with the smell of baked apples. The Ginger-Coconut Baked Apples recipe submitted by NAMC is sure to delight your family and friends.
Dale has also shared the Montessori Button-Buddy and Acting Out How Animals Survive Winter exercises. This latter exercise will greatly aid children in their understanding of hibernation, adaptation, and other key science terms. Receive step-by-step instructions on how to present these lessons, plus extension exercises for further applications.
Richard, from LORD Company, has uploaded some various Montessori related free materials for you to use in your school and home classrooms. You will also find two geography-based resources in this section of the newsletter. Download a free set of Land and Water Forms Cards from LORD Company. Birdcage Press has provided an amazing set of materials that can be used for a unit study about ancient Egypt.
Are you looking for something different to bring this year to your favorite annual holiday potluck? Let Sara Ambarian walk you through the steps to creating a delicious Ginger Turkey Salad. Just click on the link above to get the recipe and additional accompanying information.
Part IV
See http://www.amonco.org/winter4/montessori_winter4.pdf
The Scented Basket project, contributed by Mariaemma of Coaching for Learning Success, provides an opportunity for your students to learn more about art, and they will end up with a special holiday gift in the process.
Dianne, from Conceptual Learning, provides yet another tasty Nutty Chocolate Pudding Squares treat that will be enjoyed by guests at your holiday parties. Dianne has also contributed some outstanding Montessori Math Sequencing lessons in .pdf Elaine, from Kimbo Educational. Kimbo has a number of multicultural CDs and songs. In this section of the newsletter, you will find some lyrics from Kimbo Educational’s new Hanukkah and Chinese New Year CD. You will also receive some valuable resource lesson planning information for the Chinese New Year.
Dr. Borenson, from Hands On Equations, has once again contributed a free hands-on algebra activity. In Part IV, you will also discover more about the free Montessori Animals in the Winter unit study. Hands On Equations has recently unveiled some exciting new algebra program apps for the Android, iPad and iPhone! See Part IV for details.
Are you tired of including the same holiday side dishes to your holiday meals? Why not try some additional new recipes this year? Let Sara Ambarian show you how. Check out her Zesty Cranberry Relish and Cheesy Baked Cauliflower recipes here in Part IV, plus other new tasty recipes that have been added to other sections of this newsletter.
Part V
See http://www.amonco.org/winter5/montessori_winter5.pdf
Have some fun with words pertaining to food this winter! Alan Stillson has generously contributed to yet another edition of the Montessori seasonal newsletter. See this section to access the free Middle School Word Puzzles by Stillsonworks.
The Handprint Towel activity is a wonderful hands-on project, with the dual effect of doing something truly meaningful with children and helping them to create a gift with lasting memories. The younger set will also enjoy Karen’s special Pumpkin Pie Scented Playdough recipe.
Ligia, from Childsake, submitted an easy to make, delicious Holiday Cheesecake. Yum!!
Next, get ready for some sizzling science with The Little Big Bounce Science Activity!
Finally, Montessorian Dianne Knesek has generously shared some Montessori math based lessons that your children are sure to enjoy!. You can find instructions to downloading some of her free “Exchanges” and “Roman Numerals” activities by clicking on the link above.
Part VI
See http://www.amonco.org/winter6/montessori_winter6.pdf
Another recipe that is sure to delight the chocolate lovers in your family is Farmer’s Favorite Fudge recipe, courtesy of Farm Country General Store.
Gert, from Kimbo, shares her personal holiday favorite recipe for our special winter issue. Read the history of The Grandma Cake – A Celebration Tradition and encourage the children in your life to make their own special Grandma Cake.
Elaine, from Kimbo Educational, makes informal entertaining quick and easy with her delicious Spinach Dip Recipe. Elaine also provided a literature link activity for Three Little Kittens.
Alan Stillson has included an interesting holiday-themed song from his hit play, I Remember Lou.
Now, for some soapy science fun!!! You read that right. John, from Exploration Education contributed a free Soap That Grows lesson in .pdf which contains all of the illustrations, pictures and detailed lesson plans you need to make this activity a success.
Part VII
See http://www.amonco.org/winter7/montessori_winter7.pdf
As the weather cools down, many of us will spend more time in the kitchen. We’ll be making the usual family favorites as well as trying different recipes that are eye-catching. Another new recipe added to this issue, Bauernfruhstuck, (German Farmer’s Breakfast), is presented by Anna and Wolfgang.
Take a stroll from Germany to France to discover a light and fluffy French favorite. Professor Toto offers the French Crepes recipe which will tie right in with an existing Montessori curriculum. This practical life exercise can be used as part of a unit study about the French culture; or, it could also be used for specific multicultural celebrations. Last but not least, this dish would be a scrumptious addition to any holiday meal.
Rita, from homeschool.literatureplace.com, has written an interesting article for homeschoolers. Historical Fiction: Where Fact and Fiction Merge Planning a New Literature Program for Your Child will be a boon for parents who have been searching for ways in which to select and organize their booklists.
Music lovers will appreciate the winter-themed music lesson planning ideas featured in this section of the newsletter. .The Winter by Vivaldi unit study can be used in conjunction with art, science, existing music and geography activities, to name a few.
Please see http://www.amonco.org/winter7/montessori_winter7.pdf
to view this entire lesson plan.
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 winter.
Visit American Montessori Consulting and look under New and Notable for additional articles and free lesson plans.
If you are looking for service oriented projects, please visit Community Service Projects for the Upcoming Holiday Season
Heidi Anne Spietz
American Montessori Consulting
Celebrating 26 Years of Serving School and Home Educators
Montessori for the 21st Century
http://www.amonco.org
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