Science in a Box: Montessori Lectures

Science Kit at Montessori Lecture

Materials consist of user guide and science cards only. Boxes and content not included 

Science In A Box

• Science in a Box consists of individual cards, each with a basic science experiment, which may be used in a non-consecutive order. The activities of Science in a Box provide an active, problem-solving approach to the study of science. They introduce the children to scientific concepts including the properties of air and water, electricity, magnetism, light, sound, force and motion, and simple chemistry experiments. This material provides ease for teachers and parents without the difficutly of long term preparation, since items need only to be gathered at the time of initial set-up. The activities are very easy to follow and the 'hands-on approach' of each activity promotes an interest in science.
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• Each card has a list of materials needed, simple steps to follow, and questions asking about each activity. The back of each card answers the questions and explains the experiment.
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• Most activities can be done by children ages 3-6 years with minimal guidance. Older students, who read well, can be expected to do most of the experiments independently. The user guide contains a glossary with simple explanations of terms which can be used by adults to explain experiments to younger children, or used independently by the older student.
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• A list of materials required for the science experiments is provided. These consist of common items which easily can be obtained and stored in a large crate. A few items which need to be replenished on a regular basis are typically stored in a small box separately. It is convenient to store the experiment cards in a large index card box. Adults may set out a specific experiment, introduce the procedure, and then have the activity available for use of the younger child. Older students may choose a card and gather on a tray the materials needed to perform the experiment independently.
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• • Set consists of over 85 Science Activities
  • Science in a Box $40.00
  • Shipping within USA: $15.00
  • Additional shipping charges for other countries than USA

MTIPS - Montessori Mentors

http://montessoriteachersinstitute.blogspot.com/




Great place for some straight-forward answers to typical questions about Montessori - useful for homeschooling and schools.

Foreign Language: French

http://participassions.servhome.org/









An example of a site with downloadable Montessori language materials, in another language. This one is French and has simply *beautiful* materials!

Human Geography: Book samples

http://www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca

This organization publishes fantastic books to "share the joy of reading".

They offer a variety of books for purchase, for oneself or to send on to libraries in African countries for people of all ages to learn to read.

One of the books we recently received from a friend who had recently traveled to Ghana is David's Day at the Mine by Deborah Cowley, photos by Kathy Knowles.

The reading is ideal for new readers looking for something solid to read - a step above the popular-in-Montessori-environment Rookie Readers - and VERY appropriate for the early elementary foundation work in Human Geography. The story we received focuses on the people involved in the process of mining as well as the process itself. In the Human Geography Montessori work, we strive to focus on the people involved in the process and this book makes it VERY real.

I cannot find this book on their website, but perhaps an e-mail inquiry might bring it up ;)

The company is based in Canada, so Canadian Montessorians will even better enjoy the books that cover the differences and similarities of life in Tanzania and Ghana compared to life in Canada; but all cultures I think will find these books of interest.

Human Geography work is a precursor to the Economic Geography work.

Language: Book-Making

Big Book of Books and Activities by Dinah Zike

This book is a fantastic resource for books and displays of just about any kind. Want to make a lapbook or a display or just make some booklets in a variety of styles? This book is straight-forward enough that lower elementary can browse it themselves; upper elementary can easily extrapolate their own creations and adults can assist with all ages from primary on up.


Children love to create and what better way to give them a variety of ideas than by exploring ways they can use paper to display their work in a variety of ways!?

Art: Artterro - Eco Art Kits

http://artterro.com/






Family-friendly art projects; real skills; eco-friendly... who could ask for a more Montessori-style art kit to give a Montessori-educated child - or indeed ANY child - as a birthday or holiday gift?

We have the booklet-making one. More "girl-focused" than this household of boys cares for, but the skills learned have been utilized to transform other now-recycled materials into more boy-coordinated themes. Saving the girl stuff for the girl cousins!

The book-making kits fit right into the Montessori classroom; the other projects are great for the family setting :)

Music: Rhythm Flashcards

http://laytonmusic.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/rhythm-flashcards/



Great place to download rhythm flashcards for Montessori rhythm exercises in clapping. Children taking piano and other instrumental lessons will also find them useful in their music study.

These are a fantastic resource! Totally free and the work is done for us!

Maitri Learning - Environment downloads

http://www.maitrilearning.com/downloads.html





Maitri Learning has a series of downloads that are OH so helpful for organizing a Montessori space - whether at school or at home.


These guides are most helpful in a rough determination of what is going to be "school" and what is going to be "home" in a homeschool environment.

And are definitely helpful for teachers in schools. I love her recommendation in every one:
JUST FOLLOW YOUR ALBUMS! If it's not in your albums, it's not on the shelves!

This is a top-notch statement for all teachers whether at school or at home. And at home, it can help delineate "school" lessons from just being home and living life (though the items will be related - some items should be "school" such as the number rods, but some items are "home" such as legos connected together to re-create the number rods!).


I am not over-excited about the downloadable papers for primary level, but they could prove useful for some people :)

Kids In the Kitchen

There are all sorts of tools and books and gadgets for kids these days to help in the kitchen.

Here is one set:

http://www.rachaelray.com/travel/collections/gifts/index.php?cat=kids

Rachael Ray has mini-muffin tins, oven starter sets, cutting boards for kids, and more.

Common Bird Sounds

Beautiful and clear bird sounds.
Black and white detailed sketches with a paragraph
of information for each bird.
Just right for maturing young readers - 6 and older. 

My son and I just love this small book and CD field recording of live birds. The reading is short but is rich; children should be reading fluently at 2nd or 3rd grade reading level to read this book comfortably. Definitely for both lower and upper elementary reading; and excellent listening for children of all ages. The narrator only lists the bird and the number when necessary; otherwise the focus is on the bird sounds themselves. 

Speed - Skip Counting

Skip counting game for 2-9, with pictures of what looks like bead chains!