Classification with Safari Animals

Today I went to Red Ballon and found some toddler sized
plastic animals for classification. Then I went online
and found these pix  on their website. I will make
matching cards to go with these items. I was
so excited to find really cute versions of a
jellyfish, crab, snail, ladybug, starfish and
butterfly. I will be adding to this set as I
go along...

http://www.safariltd.com/

Nature and Nurture

I admit it! I have a serious case of SPRING FEVER!
So, today's post will be all about nature study in
the Montessori environment. There is the the
Nature Table which I was introduced to in my
training...this is common to Waldorf classrooms
as well. The idea is to have a variety of materials
in a basket placed on a table, usually seasonal
or around a theme. If your children collect items
themselves I believe it would be more meaningful.
Ideas for nature tables follow:
http://www.bluebellmontessori.com/index.php/activities/nature_table/
http://montessorimum.com/?p=4435
http://spiralmontessorimama.blogspot.com/2008/01/beauty-and-wonder-table.html
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=221340685345
http://montessoribeginnings.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-nature-table.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=GPyuWXvI0_AC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=the+nature+table+montessori&source=bl&ots=KQ3iU2wOYJ&sig=a2kwAimUPP-vvytwcbAgJa2CkXE&hl=en&ei=RZp5S-2FDY6mswPTidXKCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CCkQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=the%20nature%20table%20montessori&f=false

Here is a great resource for creating nature nomentclature
cards or three part cards to add to  your botany or
biology materials.

http://www.english-country-garden.com/default.htm