The Center for Human Brain and Human Learning

Last year, the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association sponsored an event at the Center for Human Brain and Human Learning Center. It is a resource that you may perhaps may use or a parent may find of interest. Scroll down on the left navigation for some helpful information. Go to:

http://66.84.25.118/index.htm

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Kyra Schlosser and Jennifer Brazier, both UMA students, are involved in an exciting project with their students this summer.

Check out www.lakefloyd.com

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A Music Project: "Musical Cans"

Connie Bradley from Trussville, Alabama also shares her original Music project, titled “Musical Cans.”


Materials:
Wooden dowel and knob for dowel
Tray
Apron
Glue
Newspaper
Eight wooden clothes pins
Four empty cans
Four pieces of string
Wooden bar to hang cans
Instructions:
-Glue 4 clothespins to the top of the wooden bar. Leaving a clothes pin length between each one. Glue 1 clothes pin to the bottom of each can.
-Take 1 string at a time, and glue the ends of the string to the inside of the clothespin on the wooden bar. Close the pin and allow the glue time to dry. (I used all-purpose cement glue. I put it in a smaller glue bottle because it was easier for Nathan to handle. The glue is non-toxic.)
(While the glue is drying, the cans can be used as an art project. The child can decorate them, using newspaper, buttons, stones, paints, etc…be creative!)
-Once the glue has dried, connect the string to the clothespin on the bottom of the can. Attaching largest can to the left, smallest can to the right.
-Push the wooden dowel into the wooden knob.
The child is ready to hold the wooden bar and use to dowel to hit the cans to make different sounds.
Variations to this project:
• The child can add metal washers, screws, etc. inside the cans to help make different sounds.
• Place the bar on the table, connect the clothespins in a vertical position, clip the cans upside down on the clothespins and hit the bottoms of the cans for sound. You would eliminate the need for the strings, and have a tabletop version of the instrument in lieu of one to hold.
• Once the child has mastered this project, they can add bells and other items to the strings to make additional sounds.

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Looking for a Montessori Teaching Position?

For some of the latest employment opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, go to:

http://www.pnma.org/employment.htm

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

On Summer Break

UMA is on summer break June 15th - July 7th. We hope to do a few posts during that time. Check back later this week.

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Employment Opportunity

Weston Montessori Children's House, Weston, Wisconsin
Brand new school in Central Wisconsin looking for Montessori trained teachers for the 2008-2009 school year. Come and be a part of our program from the beginning. Competitive salaries, we pay 80% individual health benefits, summer positions available. US citizenship a plus. Please send resume to: Weston Montessori Children's House, County Road J, Suite 3, Weston WI 54476.
e-mail: macdougall2@hotmail.com
fax: 715-849-8168
telephone: 715-432-3992 (Rachel)

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Bow Tying Exercise

Here is a bow tying exercise that is an old classic we had posted on our old website. Still good for practice!

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Art Project: Flower Box

Connie Bradley from Trussville, Alabama shares her original Art project, titled “Flower Box.”

Instructions: Prepare a wooden box with various compartments to hold items a child can use to create different flowers. Use different types of paper to create various size stems, leaves and flower patterns. Buttons, stones and other creative craft ideas can be added to the box to offer more than just paper.

In the box Katie, age 5, and I created, we decided to add lavender oil. Katie wanted the flowers to smell good, and I had lavender oil I use on the children’s pillows at night. In addition to the flower box, you will need newspaper, apron and cardboard or paper on a tray.

Katie designed the flowers in the finished photo, and enjoyed every part of this project from preparation through cleanup.

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A Sensorial Exercise w/Knobbed Cylinders

UMA is developing more video tutorials for UMA students. Here's a sample:

Enjoy.

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

African Folktale Children's Book

Children’s Book based on African Folktale –
For the elementary level.

Kunle Oguneye, author of the Children’s Book “Sikulu & Harambe” recently contacted Trudy and asked if we would review his book and pass it on to the Montessori community.

The story is set in Zambia and used to teach children about kindness. We would recommend it to children age 7+, as it does include an element of fantasy, not suited for the primary-age level (early childhood – sensitive periods). It makes for an easy reader for the older child, as well as a fun and interesting look at the South African culture through traditional folktale.

For more information, check out: www.sikulu.com
You can read through the book at www.sikulu.com/sikulu_book.php
You can also watch the animated version at www.sikulu.com/sikulu_videos.php

Enjoy!

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification