September 11 was the first day of Danny’s Montessori Elementary experience. And it is also the first day that he would be in a kindergarten classroom if I weren’t homeschooling. It’s getting real! Transitioning from Montessori primary to elementary has been a work in progress for me all summer. In many ways Danny’s schoolwork will be more of the same. But in a couple of significant ways, there will be changes. Work Plan Unlike in primary where the child is…
Welcome to my fourth annual school room tour! While the room hasn’t changed much, the materials sure have. DJ completed the Montessori 3-6 primary series and is beginning Montessori Lower Elementary. So all of the iconic Montessori materials are gone – no more Pink Tower, Brown Stair, Number Rods. No more sandpaper letters, movable alphabet or metal insets. So what has taken their place? Books! Books, books and more books. And paper and pencils. This is DJ’s main workspace. He…
As many homeschooler’s are getting ready to start back to school, I’ve seen many questions on Facebook about Montessori materials vendors. Although I purchased most of my materials secondhand, or made them myself, I did buy quite a bit from one vendor, IFIT Montessori. Despite a couple of criticisms, I have been overwhelmingly impressed with the quality of their materials and their range of selection along with typically lower prices and a frequent free shipping over $200 offer. I just…
One of the aspects I love most about homeschooling is being able to answer my son's questions as they come up. This allows most Grace & Courtesy lessons to happen organically throughout our life. Today was a perfect example. It's hot here today so my son and I were sitting on the sofa with the front door open. A UPS delivery truck stops at our house and the driver carries a package to our front porch. As he sets it…