Today was the third day of appointed cleaning and reorganization of the playroom/schoolroom. It has been deep cleaning. The cleaning has been so deep that after three days, the floor of random stuff looks no better than when I started.
We have about 8 large bins of toys that are systematically pulled out throughout the month for play. The bin usually consists of about 8 toys. Only one bin is allowed to be out at one time, and it usually remains out for about three days before the kids remind me that I haven't replaced their bin.
By the end of 4 months I have a generous accumulation of parts and pieces that have come out of the bins during play, and never found their way back to the proper bin home. So at the end of 4 months, all bins come out and the lids are lifted for the missing parts to be reunited with the toys, games and puzzles. This is always a magical day of delight for the kids, as it feels like Christmas to have all bins open at once. It is a day of hard core play.
Naturally this task takes twice as long as the kids are pulling things out faster then I can put them back. However, I have to remind myself each time I do this how much easier our toys have been to manage since we instituted "bin play". And then, right after that thought, I wonder why I don't pull all the bins out at once more often...especially during those "Kids I need you to play hard all day so Mommy can get something done today" days.
I will be trying something different this month, as I have noticed that those things at the bottom of the bin don't get pulled out. I've made room on one of our bookshelves to place the bin toys out in the open and more accessible (rather than having to dig through a deep bin). This may also help give the room a feel that it is always changing. We'll see...
Monday, April 25, 2005
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Montessori Tray: Fabric Matching
Tray Preparation: Cut fabric swatches in half and mix up each half placing them into two separate small bowls.
The Task: Layout the fabric in two piles and reunite the matches.
Smith & Noble has an offer for free fabric swatches, of which I had accumulated well over 30 swatches last year as I dreamed about drapery. A year later, I still have no drapery, but I have been looking for a good way to put the swatches to use since they are quality, paper backed swatches.
Grace learned that this was not quite as easy of a task as she first expected. Many of the swatches have similar colors, and by cutting the swatch in half, the patterns are not identical. She was forced to think in general terms, and move beyond color. It was a wonderful lesson in looking at the complexity of the weave, or the texture of the fabric.
This was an excellent task for Grace and it will remain out on the tray. She had a real unexpected sense of accomplishment after the task was completed, since her first remark was, "This is going to be boring". Boring it was not!
The Task: Layout the fabric in two piles and reunite the matches.
Smith & Noble has an offer for free fabric swatches, of which I had accumulated well over 30 swatches last year as I dreamed about drapery. A year later, I still have no drapery, but I have been looking for a good way to put the swatches to use since they are quality, paper backed swatches.
Grace learned that this was not quite as easy of a task as she first expected. Many of the swatches have similar colors, and by cutting the swatch in half, the patterns are not identical. She was forced to think in general terms, and move beyond color. It was a wonderful lesson in looking at the complexity of the weave, or the texture of the fabric.
This was an excellent task for Grace and it will remain out on the tray. She had a real unexpected sense of accomplishment after the task was completed, since her first remark was, "This is going to be boring". Boring it was not!
Experiencing Our First Transition in Studies
I'm like a kid in a candy store. After our first trimester of homeschooling, things have gone wildly well. Without a doubt the Montessori and Charlotte Mason road has been a successful and alluring road. The kids have been chomping at the bit to begin our butterfly study, as they watch me pull out the library books, games, posters, stickers, cards, etc. We're still awaiting more boxes, and posters for some of our studies.
The last two days have been spent reorganizing and refreshing the room for the new term. Scrounging for lost game pieces under furniture, packing away our bird study items, and renewing our table trays with new Montessori oriented tasks. We're still not done. It never seems to end as the closet is still unwalkable after a few spills (courtesy of Gracie), and the giant heap on the rocker (courtesy me).
But we are almost there!
The last two days have been spent reorganizing and refreshing the room for the new term. Scrounging for lost game pieces under furniture, packing away our bird study items, and renewing our table trays with new Montessori oriented tasks. We're still not done. It never seems to end as the closet is still unwalkable after a few spills (courtesy of Gracie), and the giant heap on the rocker (courtesy me).
But we are almost there!
Golden Apples Site Redesigned
In the name of consolidation and perfection, I have sought and discovered a solution to my troubles of updating the Our Golden Apples site. I have redesigned the site to look similar, but have teamed up by using Blogger to help maintain all of the blogging. It has been an exciting experience, and I am glad to get some of my other planned blogs online finally. So here we are, new and hopefully improved. Have a look around!
A strong word of warning. Use the "Next Blog" button at the top right at your own risk. 50% of the blogging out there is worthless and at times profane. You have no control over what will appear.
A strong word of warning. Use the "Next Blog" button at the top right at your own risk. 50% of the blogging out there is worthless and at times profane. You have no control over what will appear.
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