Pre Writing Ideas!

Here are some great pre-writing materials and ideas to go along
with the traditional preparation with sandpaper letters. Some of these
can come before the introduction of letters or be used with the letters.
I actually use the sand tray idea with my sandpaper letters as well
as having children "put it in their minds" and trace the letter in the air.
Here are some links and pix: 

http://www.macrhino.com/free.html
(scroll down to find the free Montessori Script!)

http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/01/a-maze-ing-marble-mazes/

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7C2534374302176718~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/language/learningthealphabet.jsp

http://www.youngmindsatplay.com/carved_sandpaper_letters_cursive_lowercase
(see pix and info below)

Lori and Montessori for Everyone has a nice post about the Montessori rationale
for the sandpaper letters and the importance Montessori placed on having the
children touch the letters.
http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/montessori-basics-9-sandpaper-letters.html

Marble Run in Sand Tray
(The shape is outlined before adding the marble which the
child pushes through the track)

Various Tracing and Tracking Boards

Maze Activity with Straws and Marbles
(See Link above)

More Tracking Boards

Sand Box with Controls

Sand Table

Tape Maze

Alphabet Tracking Boards
from Lakeshore Learning

The Ultimate Carved Sandpaper Letters from
Young Minds at Play (I have my order in...)

(A discussion of Cursive vs. Print being taught first is outlined here:)

http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/cursive-vs-printing-is-one-better-than-the-other.html

Traditional Sandpaper Letters Pink and Blue
These are also available in Red and Blue

Lord Company Sand Tray with Cover-Beautiful!

Tracing Letters with Stylus
from JMP Materials

Lord Co. Chalk Board to use with Sandpaper Letters
(From Lord Co. or Montessori Services)