Update! Practical Life and Toddler List

Hi there,
 I am composing this list of practical life resources, including
pictures (for ideas), catalogues (ready made materials...more ideas)
and lists (albums...still more great ideas).
Have fun making your own sets of Practical Life Activities:

Practical Life Activities List:

http://montessorimom.com/practical-life/


http://thehometeacher.blogspot.com/2009/03/practical-life-more-on-montessori.html

http://www.montessoriservices.com/classroom-activity-sets/practical-life-basic-exercises

http://www.montessoriservices.com/classroom-activity-sets/practical-life-extensions

http://faculty.fullerton.edu/syen/mts/life/_link.htm

http://www.jmplearning.com/Practical_Life_jmplearning_com_s/3.htm

http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/Sensory%20Tubs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/montessorisecrets/sets/72157607975789604/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31530946@N05/sets/72157608280989075/

Sofia Cavalletti Passing...

http://books.google.com/books?id=4U2dgU-xevkC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

Sofia Cavalletti, 94, dies
The following is the message sent out by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA board:
With tears and with peace, we want to share with you that our beloved Sofia Cavalletti, at 94, a founding mother of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, has entered the celestial pasture of the Good Shepherd. There is great rejoicing in heaven for her with Gianna, Tilde, Fr. Mongillo, Maria Christleib and Tina, along with members of her family who have gone before her.
Francesca Cocchini sent the following announcement from Rome, Italy: "Dearest, this is only to say that during this night - at ten after midnight (Tuesday, August 23) Sofia encountered the Good Shepherd face to face." The funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, August 24.
Francesca also shared the announcement for the Italian newspaper, Repubblica:
"The Maria Montessori Association for the Religious Formation of the Child sings the Magnificat for the life of Sofia Cavalletti who gave the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to the Church. Eucharist is at 11 am, Wednesday, 24 August, at S. Giovanni dei Florentini Church, Rome."
Sofia goes ahead of a large family of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechists and children in thirty-seven countries around the world. A Hebrew and scripture scholar, Sofia began to work with children in 1954, collaborating with Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Together they were called and inspired by the children they served to listen, watch, and deepen an understanding of children's spirituality in relationship with God.
Sofia leaves to the world an approach to the Christian formation of children from the ages of three to twelve that is theologically sound, systematic, and rich in Bible, liturgy, and sacred history. Sofia's reverence for the Bible and liturgy, her fresh and compelling style of writing and speaking, her wise and intelligent way of discussing complicated theological themes simply, her sense of humor, and personal warmth will be greatly missed by many.
Please go to our Facebook page (The National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) to share your prayers and remembrances of Sofia and feel free to forward this email to other catechists & friends you know who may not yet be members of our association.
http://www.cgsusa.org/

For Godly Play click here:

http://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/newsite/Main.php

Amazing Japanese Toys!

These are truly more than toys...they are works of art!
Enjoy!!

More Mats!

Felt Multiplication Checkerboard:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58187180/multiplication-checkerboard-montessori?ref=v1_other_2

Solar Sytem Mat Instructions:
http://letitbemontessori.typepad.com/let-it-be-montessori/2011/07/make-your-own-solar-system-mat.html

Place Value Heirarchy Mat:
http://www.azokacompany.com/

"Counting Through" Mat  (Place Value)
http://great-extensions.com/quiltedmats.html

World Mat: (lots of other great mats here too!)
http://www.wasecabiomes.org/canvas-mats/geography-mats/continent-mat/

Math Mats!

I've been thinking about making or ordering
some mats for math and for other Montessori
excercises. Here is what I found along
my research road:

http://squirrelacorns.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/golden-bead-quilt/#comment-644
http://www.bambini-montessori.com/cf-bin/prod_list.cfm?ProdCat=4
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/270370
http://www.montessorimatsnmore.com/
http://gardenoffrancis.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_14&products_id=48
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64598371/montessori-stamp-game-mat-pattern-pdf
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76194244/montessori-checkerboard-pattern-pdf-for?ref=v1_other_2
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64813418/montessori-stamp-game-mat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22337162@N05/3371703856/in/photostream

http://www.montessori-n-such.com/detail.aspx?ID=2849

Exciting New Geo Cabinet and Puzzles

I can't wait until my new things get here!

Here's what I ordered from Jeff at
Young Minds at Play...
The 3 circle puzzle
The 6 circle puzzle
The 3 shapes puzzle

The "Roundy" shapes (my kids name for them)

Next I will order the squares and
new cabinet to hold all these
puzzles! Jeff is also making some
anatomy puzzles with the
bones of the hand being his first

puzzle. Enjoy these pictures and materials!