Parts of a dicotyledon {Botany}

We are working on seeds this week.  I was really pleased with how hard everyone worked this afternoon on their booklets and sorting. This is a pretty simple set up but has a ton of extensions. 

We used a mini muffin tin and four different varieties of seeds. We bought ours from the thrift store so I was limited with the types. Buy larger seeds (beans, squash) for smaller hands and smaller seeds (carrots, broccoli) for a bigger challenge. The top row contains an example seed and a card with the common and latin names. The middle row is the picture of the seed. It worked well to cover up that hole on the muffin tin. The bottom row is where they placed the matching seeds. 

Nomenclature cards. We did a three part lesson on the parts and ordered them in terms of growth. 

Working on writing. These are almost always a hit.  The younger ones work on tracing the words and coloring the pictures. 

More Resources

Parts of a Seed Cards from The Helpful Garden 

Botany Manual (and cards) from KHT Montessori. pictured

Montessori WorkJobs has a great printable as well

Free Seed and Plant Matching Cards from Montessori Print Shop

Astronomy, Understanding the Universe {Science}

I introduced astronomy this week to our little guys. It's a fun album and one that we go back to quite a bit with the oldest.  We started with a discussion of the universe and I showed a picture. It's a good time to emphasize that "the universe contains everything starting with you" and how BIG the universe is. Pass around the picture (or look together). 

A fun (and classic) activity is to make a "universe jar." You need: jar, water, small pitcher, glitter, oil, dropper, and liquid watercolor (or food coloring). 

Demonstration:

-put all the materials on a tray

-explain that you are making a model of the universe

-pour a little bit of water into the jar

-take a dropper of oil and add a few drops to the jar

-add a few spoonfuls of glitter

-add a drop of coloring if desired

-screw the lid on and admire

-invite the kids to make one for themselves! 

Other resources:

My First Big Book of Space

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia
Is the Big Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There is? 

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (for older kids) and National Geographic

Printable Astronomy Cards

Bird Unit

This week we've been busy going through a unit on birds.

 Our basket contained: bird seed, flowers, small clay pot and moss.

We started learning about the types of beaks that birds have using a free printable from Montessori Print Shop. 

Barrett took some time photographing the birds that visit our feeder outside. 

We also tried to identify what type of birds by using a local wild life guide. It was a great time to go over animals tracks. We have the Animal Track Cards from Montessori for Everyone. (Free) Another resource: Animal Track Three Part Cards from Montessori Print. 

 Our attempt at making birds nests out of yarn and glue. Barrett's was the only one that somewhat resembled a nest... it was still fun though!  

Here is an easy art project. You can print this out at Kimboomu Kids Songs Bird. The kids love the song Green Grass Grows all Around.

Barrett also worked really hard on the Kindergarten bird packet from Homeschool Creations. You can find an amazing amount of links for inspiration. The math game was by far the favorite.

And... if you would love to see some more ideas check out Living Montessori Now's Bird Unit Pinterest page with more than enough activities to last your kids through highschool (just kidding...)