Pink, Blue and Green Phonic Series (teaching D to read the montessori way)

As the Montessori child moves throughout the language sequence, he follows a prescribed order of learning and putting together phonetic sounds, to become a better reader and writer.

The Pink, Blue, and Green Series materials were developed to teach the child to read in the english language. They break down the essentials of English phonics into three groups: short vowel sounds (pink series), consonant blends (blue series), and phonetic combinations (green series). By moving through these materials in order, a child is able to easily master the art of reading and writing in English.

The Montessori reading sequence is primarily focused on the phonetic aspect of language. The child spends a lot of time learning the initial sounds. Next the focus is on identifying middle sounds of words (emphasizing short vowel sounds), and the ending sounds of words. She does a lot of sorting activities. Objects and pictures are sorted by their initial, medial, or ending sounds. Many rhyming activities prepare the child for word family work, as well as refining the identification of ending sounds.

The Pink Series materials helps with this. Pink Series words consist of three letters: a beginning and ending consonant, and a vowel in the middle. All of the vowel sounds in this series are short vowels: "a" as in "cat"; "e" as in "bed", "i" as in "pig", "o" as in "hot", and "u" as in "bus". The letter “y” is not included in this grouping. Occasionally the ending sound may be a double, as in hill or muss. The child practices reading these words in pre-made readers or word lists. He labels objects or pictures with cards. He practices spelling all of them with the movable alphabet. He also begins to learn sight words and starts work in appropriate phonetic readers.

The Pink, Blue, and Green series allow a natural flow of Montessori phonetic education. They provide a solid foundation for the blossoming reader to be able to decipher words well into his future.

The pink series

materials we got.. from www.montessoriforeveryone.com

we are introducing first the objects and the pictures. this will help make sure D knows the vocabulary that will be presented

then we will do the beginning sounds cards

then we have middle sounds and endings...

we will probably follow by matching objects with word cards

Note; D already mastered the letter recognition and he knows the individual sounds of the letters.. this will help us put it all together in words.

Also It is recomended to use a set of 5 words at a time... that so its not so overwealthming for the child..

once D completes his cards.. we will put a set of only words in a bowl where he can pick a word up and read it outloud...

Space Sensorial Activities

Space Sensory Tub -

Children learn through their senses. Sensory tables improve children's sense of touch which helps them perceive their environment accurately. Exposure to a variety of textures improves children's development of fine motor skills. This is important for manipulating toys, completing necessary self-help tasks such as dressing, using utensils (i.e. spoons, crayons etc.), and of course builds a foundation for future classroom expectations of handwriting. Sensory tables also facilitate development in other areas such as understanding concepts like, "big/little", "in/out", "on/off"

contents : fish pebbles, black pom poms, small planet toob, space toob, and marbles

Space Play-dough -

As entertaining as it is pliable, this jack-of-all-trades medium provides hours of fun while improving hand strength, dexterity, and motor skills. Recent research also shows that using your fingers and hands actually stimulates your brain and increases the number of neural connections it makes. So when your child digs into play dough, he's not only building little figures and shapes, he's building his brain! For some mind-molding fun, start by making your own homemade play dough. Then try the activities below.

Knobbed Cylinders - differences in similar shapes. Using more than one set child spatially discern similarities and differences. Helps eye to hand coordination and small motor skills

Smelling bottles -make the child aware of scent in the environment. There are three or four pairs of contrasting scents in a set, but more than one set could be made. It is not really possible to match more than three or four pairs by smell,because smell is volatile. If there are too many pairs,everything begins to smell the same. Smells deteriorate and must be replaced from time to time, and the container must be washed before refilling.

The Solar System Unit (Practical Life)

Practical life

Pouring Stars (star shapped pasta)

helps the child develop co-ordination, self-sufficiency and the following Manipulative Skills; carrying a tray with objects on it, pouring with either hand, and lifting and placing down a delicate object. To enable the child to pour drinks and to become involve in cooking and mealtime activities.

Spooning Planets (marbles)

Great for motor skills, children also strengthen their finger grip and can transfer their new skill to the dinner table!

Lacing Earth and a Rocket

It helps develop your child's 'pincer grip' which can help with writing it also does wonders in working on patience, and mutli-tasking as lacing can be a complicated concept at first. The child has to concentrate on guiding the lace while also thinking about patterning (in & out, up & down), direction, and shapes/colors..

Sweeping Cosmic Rocks

it teaches kids to care of their environment. it is easier for the child if you give them a limited space where they will sweep the 'dust'.

MONTESORI PRINCIPLES (practical activities)

Right now i'm reading 'basic montessori' by david gettman. a really good book if you wanna explore the principles of montessori system.

'the organization of man has 3 parts; brain senses and muscles ' And usually the curriculum is divided into 'sensorial' practical life, 'language' 'math' 'science/geography' 'art/music'

If teaching is to be effective with young children, it must assist them to advance on the way to independence. It must initiate them into those kinds of activities, which they can perform themselves. We must help them to learn how to walk without assistance, to run, to go up and down the stairs, to pick up fallen objects, to dress and undress, to wash themselves, to express their needs, and to attempt to satisfy their desires through their own efforts. All this is part of an education for independence."

- Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child

practical activities are the first acctivities the child is introduced in the montessori environment. This is because they can immediately being to satisfy the young child's inner and hitherto frustrated desire for skills and sefl-suffieciency. As in Montessori noticed that children seemed most satisfied by their 'play' when it enabled them to progress in thei specially apointed work.

The purpose and aim of Practical Life is to help the child gain control in the coordination of his movement, and help the child to gain independence and adapt to his society. It is therefore important to “Teach teaching, not correcting” (Montessori) in order to allow the child to be a fully functionional member in hios own society. Practical Life Exercises also aid the growth and development of the child’s intellect and concentration and will in turn also help the child develop an orderly way of thinking.

Exercice Groups

Practical Life Exercises can be categorized into four different groups: Manipulative Skills, Self Development and care of the environment.

Manipulative skils, such as pouring, opening containers, handling books and carrying delicate items, are relatively simple tasks that dults commontly do for a young child for convinience

• dusting
• sweeping with a small broom and dust pan
• washing a table surface
• cleaning up spills with a sponge
• mopping the floor
• preparing food- washing, cutting bread, grating cheese, coring apples, peeling carrots & bananas
• cooking skills- using an egg beater, using a wire whisk, etc
• polishing furniture
• polishing brass objects
• polishing windows and mirrors
• ironing (AUGH that scares me!!!)
• putting dirty clothes in laundry basket
• washing doll clothes on washboard
• setting a table
• folding napkins
• using knives with good control
• cracking nuts
• making a bed
• washing and drying dishes and utensils
• stacking dishes and sorting utensils
• drawing and opening curtains and blinds
• watering plants
• arranging flowers in a vase
• caring for animals
• putting materials away neatly
• simple use of needle and thread
• opening and closing boxes
• opening and closing lids of jars and biscuit tins
• opening and closing various types of doors and cupboards
• pouring beans,rice, etc. between two jugs, pouring water, and pouring water through a funnel
• sponge transfer activities
• using a spoon to transfer objects
• pincer grip activities with tongs, tweezers, turkey baster, eyedroppers, and syringes
• folding and unfolding clothes
• lifting, carrying, and putting down a delicate object or liquid
• 1lifting, carrying, and putting down a tray with objects on it
• carrying a floor mat
• unrolling and rolling up a floor mat
• sitting on the edge of an unrolled floor mat
• lifting, carrying, and putting down a chair
• sitting down, getting up, and tucking in a chair at the table
• using scissors and handing them to someone
• handling a book
• handling and playing a CD
• opening a lock with a key
• nuts and bolts
• using stickers, stamps, glue, paintbrushes, markers, play dough, crayons, and other art equipment appropriately
• threading beads on a necklace
• sorting
• puzzles
• winding and unwinding yarn
• walking on the line, without knocking into furniture or people
• dancing without knocking into furniture or people
• the silence game

Self -Development includes, grace, wich describes how to behave socially and personal care, such as dressing and cleaning oneself

• 1. washing hands and face
• 2. blowing nose and throwing tissue away correctly
• 3. coughing into elbow
• 4. drying hands with a paper towel and throwing it away
• 5. care of fingernails, teeth and hair
• 6. toilet training
• 7. braiding yarn or ribbon
• 8. braiding hair
• 9. dressing frames (buttoning, buckling, lacing, zipper, presss studs, bows) DIY
• 10. tying a tie
• 11. putting on clothes, coats, shoes
• 12. polishing shoes
• 13. putting clothes in washer and dryer
• 14. brushing lint from clothes
• 15. folding clothes
• 16. folding socks
• 17. hanging clothes on a hook
• 18. hanging clothes on a hanger
• 19. fastening clothes on a line with clothespins
• 20. saying please and thank you
• 21. drawing a person's attention before speaking
• 22. gracefully climbing and descending stairs
• 23. giving way to others at the doorway
• 24. asking permission to get past in a small space
• 25. greeting friends and greeting strangers
• 26. offering a seat to a visitor
• 27. offering refreshments to a visitor
• 28. answering the phone
• 29. apologizing
• 30. introduce oneself
• 31. table manners and using utensils
• learning address and phone number

Care of environement is a fancy name for house work. The children realise that they are responsible for their own environment, which enhances their respct for other and for themselfs.

• 
  
• 1. dusting
• 2. sweeping with a small broom and dust pan
• 3. washing a table surface
• 4. cleaning up spills with a sponge
• 5. mopping the floor
• 6. preparing food- washing, cutting bread, grating cheese, coring apples, peeling carrots & bananas
• 7. cooking skills- using an egg beater, using a wire whisk, etc
• 8. polishing furniture
• 9. polishing brass objects
• 10. polishing windows and mirrors
• 11. ironing (AUGH that scares me!!!)
• 12. putting dirty clothes in laundry basket
• 13. washing doll clothes on washboard
• 14. setting a table
• 15. folding napkins
• 16. using knives with good control
• 17. cracking nuts
• 18. making a bed
• 19. washing and drying dishes and utensils
• 20. stacking dishes and sorting utensils
• 21. drawing and opening curtains and blinds
• 22. watering plants
• 23. arranging flowers in a vase
• 24. caring for animals
• 25. putting materials away neatly
• simple use of needle and thread