Where things come from?

Picture
What is made of corn?
Picture
What is made of wheat?
The idea of combining a picture presenting how many things can be
made out of a one natural product and the samples of those things was based on the principle of ' the first hand experience'. Looking only at the picture is a good activity but does not provide sensorial experience. Even a small sample of popcorn or bread makes this activity more attractive and helps to make stronger connections between the end products (which the children are often very familiar with) and what they are made of.
It would be best if the introduction of those activities was a result of children's interest or an extension to the topic of harvest.

The other possible ideas for What is Made of: apples, strawberries, potatoes, rice?
How about developing even more complicated process, for example:

Where I Live

I created this set of boxes as an extension of Where I Live book making activity. It can be a difficult concept for the children to understand. That is why I thought a more visual approach to this idea is needed. The children can literally see that their house is in Bristol, Bristol is inEngland and
England is in Europe and Europe is a part of Earth.
The boxes are from IKEA nesting boxes set. I have printed
the pictures of a book in an appropriate size to fit the boxes. The colour I have selected for England corresponds with the colour used on the puzzle map of UK that we have in the nursery. Light blue for Bristol is just the colour that
is different from the ones used in continents colour coding.

Solar System

This activity helps children to arrange the planets in order from the Sun. First, one of my colleagues sprayed some paint with a toothbrush on the black paper. When it dried he used it to cover a cardboard box to create 'Space' like background. I printed planets and the sun on white card (you can easily find printable pictures on the internet) and laminated them for durability. Then I glued them to the wooden clothes pegs. At the back of each peg we put the number and a name.

Parts of a Volcano - Felt model

If you are looking for an attractive and age versatile activity introducing the parts of a volcano, you found it! the parts are cut out of felt and the control card acts as a control of error. Please look here for more instructions of how to make it.

Continent Boxes

Collection of artefacts from around the world divided into seven boxes, each marked with a continent label. The artefacts can be rotated, depending on how many different things you have available. My collection is evolving according to my travels. I also ask my family and friends to visit tourist souvenir shops during their travels. I have heard of via post artefacts swapping between families across the world. I guess the same can be done between different schools.

Migration and Hibernation

Jane and I had fun making those props and making up rhymes. We simply thought of hibernating animals which we would be able to make and how. Puffins are made out of Fimo soft modelling clay. Jane was patient enough to make 5 but you can make as many as you need. Bees out of black pom-poms and pipe cleaners wrapped around as stripes and wings glued with hot glue. Swallows are made with felt and attached to the pegs with hot glue. Jane painted a beautiful Autumn sky picture which we used as a background for an 'electricity line' mounted in the box.
5 little puffins standing in a row.
1,2,3,4,5 they go.
Hop off the rock and with a shout.
"Flying South for Winter, now Summer is out!"


4 little puffins...

To the tune of "5 Little Firefighters Standing in a Row".
10 busy bees flying round the hive.
"Oh, its getting cold!"
and one went inside.

9 busy bees...

It is more of a spoken rhyme but feel free to make up a tune!
5 singing swallows sitting on a line.
Getting cold and shivering in Autumn time.
One spread its wings, flew South one day,
To spend Winter in warmer land far away.

To the tune of "5 Currant Buns".

Human Anathomy




If you can get hold of old x-ray pictures you will be able to provide a visual representation of how real bones look inside our bodies. Children absolutely love looking for the relative bones in their bodies. I have also included an x-ray of a snake to explain similarities in all mammals.

Body Parts Felt Models



This ladybird model was easier to make than I thought. I first saw it somewhere on the internet but can’t find the link now to show you. I’ve used stiffened black felt to make the abdomen, legs, head and antennas. It helps to create a good background for the other parts. For the true wings I’ve used some organza but any fine fabrics would do. The booklet describing all the body parts is available to purchase from the Montessori Print Shop.