PNMA Spring Sharing Fair - Seattle

It's that time again! April 28th - the PNMA Spring Sharing Fair!

Here is a GREAT opportunity for ALL Montessori teachers to share lessons, generate ideas, and contribute to the diverse and broad spectrum of Montessori curriculum development by today's guides and students.

ATTENTION!

• New Montessori Teachers: PNMA values the passion and talents of new teachers and wishes to encourage the path to a professional career by offering a year of FREE MEMBERSHIP to PNMA and an invitation to PARTICIPATE in the Fair. Yes, do it!
• UMA Students: To establish a FREE MEMBERSHIP sponsored by The UNITED MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION, the membership application must include the name of the UMA Center.  PNMA membership requires approval, so they will contact UMA for confirmation of your student status.

Our thanks to the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association and all that they continue to offer the Montessori community at large!

The details of this special SHARING FAIR event are available on the PNMA website page.  Be sure to check their sidebar for additional links:

Language - Beginning Sounds

Here is a new Lanaguage worksheet to download. Click the sidebar under "Free Downloads" for a full-sized version of this for your classroom or home. 

Art and Nature

This article excerpt and land-art picture (taken from The Artful Parent blog) is one of many creative ideas that utilize the beauty in our natural environment. (Be sure to also check out some amazing and fun beach sculptures on the Artful Parent weblink!):

"Richard Shilling on Land Art for Kids...

What’s a simple land art project we could all do with our children today in our backyard or neighborhood park?

• Explore wherever you are and collect one leaf from each different plant you can find (beware of poison ivy!)
• Examine each leaf and see the different colours, thicknesses, vein structures and so on
• Lay your leaves out on the ground or thread them onto sticks to display them"

Shamrock Sensorial Activity

Virginia Hood, UMA student, on staff at Christian Montessori Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada

Shares her hand-made Shamrock Activity. Perfect for a St. Patrick's Day theme!

(5 shamrocks, large to small) 

Thanks, Ginny!

Trace the Shamrock

Here's a pre-language tracing exercise, just in time for St. Patrick's day.

Click the sidebar under "Free Downloads" for a full-sized version of this for your classroom or home.

Spring Hyacinth

Spring is around the corner! Here's a sweet and simple project for your art shelf.

Click photo:

from meetthedubiens.com

Tasting Olive Oil

What a great idea! Sylvia Muccillo, owner of Peachtree City Montessori School says, "Just wanted to share...we just added this olive oil tasting activity in our Practical Life area...the children love it!"

 The tray shown on the shelf: (ready to carry)

1. Bread container with lid
2. Jigger glass with a control line for pouring olive oil
3. Small see-through glass pitcher with olive oil
4. Plate with small tongs for picking up bread
5. Rimmed container for olive oil dipping 

The tray shown on the table: (ready to taste)

UMA Student Newsletter

Plant a Garden

"Together we discover where our food comes from. We taste fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers, tend and harvest crops, collect seeds, make compost and find critters." 

Seattle Tilth offers wonderful opportunities for schools and families in the Seattle area. They will even bring their garden curriculum to you with their mobile garden classroom. Some of their dynamic lessons: "Soil In A Box," "Teach Peace Through Gardening," "Worms on Wheels" and others. Check out the full article to see what all else they offer (click on photo).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's a simple Valentine's Day sewing activity for your Practical Life area.

Simple modification for the children: Glue a few cloth heart shapes together and sew a button in the center. (Too many felt pieces glued together makes it difficult to pull the needle through.) Then use a safety pin to wear on shirt or dress...SWEET!

bugsandfishes.blogspot