in like a lion...

There are few things I love more than setting up new lessons in the classroom, even if it's just changing a tray or trying out a new pair of tongs. Seriously! It's right up there with chocolate, skiing, and snuggling with Rosie C.W. Here are some of the new practical life lessons I set up for March. Enjoy!

The idea for this rainbow-making lesson came from
My Montessori Journey.
The white half-spheres are just a styrofoam ball cut in half.
The child sticks one end of a pipe cleaner
into the first piece of styrofoam,
pushes on a few pony beads,
and sticks the other end into the second piece of styrofoam. Here it is in action.
The styrofoam almost looks like clouds... almost. :)

We haven't had locks and keys out for awhile,
so the children were eager to see it again.
The keys are in that little green box, btw.
basting
The child fills the bowl with water to the red line...
the red line says, "stop don't go over me!"
She can baste the water back and forth
as many times as she'd like.
This lesson is especially popular with 3-year-olds.

pouring water into a goblet
Once the child has filled the pitcher,
there's enough water to fill the goblet three times.
He carries the goblet to the sink with great care,
fingers around the stem, hand under the base,
and pours the water out.

pouring water into tiny glasses
If you're over thrifting (is that possible?),
you can buy this set here.
This is the first time I've tried this lesson,
so I'll have to tell you how it goes!

spooning
The scoop and the colored beans
add some new flavor to an old favorite.
Like the scoop? Find it here.

tonging
The child uses the tongs to transfer
yellow gems between the two pots.
Find these tongs here.

tweezing sparkly puffs
The child uses the tweezers
to transfer the puffs onto the leaf.

Last, but not least, Rosie C.W.
(Cuddle Wumpkins, if you're wondering),
my little herding friend.
Isn't she precious?!

Oh! Another funny thing:
All my links for materials in this post are to Montessori Services.
Yesterday afternoon, we got a package from them...
the UPS man said, "It's from Mon-tiss-er-ie Services!"
He pronounced Montessori like it rhymed with rotisserie!
I'm still laughing! :)