New Montessori & Sensory Activities

So I made a trip to dollar tree (the tree part is super important!) tonight and hit the jackpot! We also made a trip to Home Depot to check out prices on mdf, plywood, tubs and lights! I think Bray and I may take on making a sensory and light table for the little ones this weekend! =) Here are a few activities I put together after tonight's shopping trip.

-- Sorting --

 These were Luau themed necklaces that I cut up and the kids will be instructed to sort out the different colored pieces into the matching cup. They have a clothespin to try to pick the pieces up with, and I also put a spoon on the placemat for each of them to use as well. The best part about this activity is the little tinkling sound the pieces make. The purple bowl on the left has a few other whole necklaces they can wear or they can shake & listen as they do the activity.

{all pics can be viewed at full size if you click on the image}

-- Guessing Game --

This activity is located in the top two bins here.

I filled 16 balloons with 8 different textured items. Each balloon has a matching texture that is not the same color. The idea is to have the child identify what is in the balloon by touch, and for them to try to find the matching textured balloons. On advice of another blogger, I put all of the contents in balloons into clear containers so the child could identify what he was feeling. I plan to put only the balloons out first and let them try to guess the textures without seeing the items inside first. Then I'll bring out the items for them to see/feel/touch and match with their balloons.

big oval shaped glass bead, pony beads, black flat stones, hair gel, weird J shaped glass beads, 

popcorn, coarse sea salt & brown rice =)

 -- Portable Light Table --

I got the tall shot glasses at the dollar tree tonight, too. These are also the same necklaces from the sorting activity posted earlier. This is basically a sterlite container turned upside down. I put foil on the lid and around the sides of the container. The only clear part is the very bottom {which is the top}. The kids can play with translucent materials or scoop & pour rice and beans. I want to make a more permanent verson by converting our train table ~ but that is another trip to home depot {with a truck!} ;o)

 -- Color Sorting --

Sorting Pony beads by color. I got the relish tray at DT tonight, too. The pony beads are leftovers from making our bead bars. =) I put 1 color of each bead in each partition to get them started.

-- Bead Bars --

These are the Montessori-style bead bars I made with pony beads & white chenille stems. The colors are not exact with the authentic Montessori bead bars, but they will work for us! :)

I put one full set onto a straight chenille stem so they could be held in the hand & used as a counter.

Homeschool Highlights ~ 8.11.11

I had to break out the hot glue gun last night! =)

Making magnets out of pony beads, pom poms & glass beads so the kids can use our new sight word flashcards on a cookie sheet and trace out their letters. And now I'm making some Montessori-style counting bars with the pony beads and some chenille stems. I will post pics of the bead chains when I'm all done! =)
{facebook sneak peak}

The kids liked playing with the magnets but noticed the bowls of glass beads on the table with them & wanted to explore those more! =)

They each had a bowl of glass beads, many with different colored glitter inside. Then there were really slim brightly colored, heart shaped buttons mixed in. We had a magnifying glass handy, for looking closely at the glass beads & buttons. 

We also had 2 small Play-doh "Ice Cream Shop" Sundae Spoons and a pair of tweezers for each of them. They were to each sort thier bowl of mixed beads & buttons into a bowl for the glass beads and a tall $ spot shot glass for the hearts. They learned quickly which tools most easily picked up each of the different shaped items and breezed through this task in no time! =)

 

 Next, they were ready to break out the glitter pens! =) 

3/$1 in Micheal's dollar aisle. 

 

 

Caleb always loves to use his hands :)

{excuse the painters tape} 

Julie was having some difficulty getting the glitter out but we showed her which end to "write" with and she picked it up quickly! =) 

Braden has recently started enjoying working on some crafts with us! 

He has never liked any thing artsy or crafty so I'm excited to have him join in with us! I think he likes the break too! :)

{just painting}

After the glitter pens ran out we broke out the new tempera paints! I got these at Micheal's a few weeks ago 16oz bottles for $1.99 each. We got 11 different colors! =) I thought that was a steal but then I was in there this week and they have {what is left of} the tempera paint (a rather good selection) clearance priced at 4/$5!!!   

^^ we have new window markers to try out too! ^^

Breaking out the ice tray for a color palette ! =)

Caleb has been into color mixing so I just put out "Primary" {-ish} colors today so he could work with mixing colors.  

Julie's works of art

Caleb's artwork 

 busy babies :)

Then they all rushed off to play {littles}and finish independent schoolwork {bray} while I cooked lunch for the fam! =) I know I had already had a great day and it wasn't even lunch time! The rest of our day was fairly low key -- no formal "school" for the little ones and Bray worked on his normal load for the day. I think by the time we start "fall classes" on Monday he will be going into his 7th week of 5th grade! =) I am so proud of everything he accomplishes each day!! I only pray the little ones follow his lead! ;o)