Montessori Monday: Winter Has Arrived!
… even if there is no such thing as winter here at 14 degrees north of the equator.
When I was teaching, I always loved the first day back to school after Thanksgiving. We teachers would have put away any and all fall related work and decorated the classroom to correspond with the season. It was such fun to see the awe and excitement on the children’s faces when they arrived to see their classroom transformed.
Now that Annabelle is a bit older, I was able to do something similar with our home. On the day after Thanksgiving, I put her to bed and then busily went about the decorating, putting up the tree, switching out the books in her baskets, and changing out the activities on her shelves. I had far more fun than you can imagine, giggling with excitement all the way as my husband sat and wondered what he had gotten himself into. Below are a few photos to show what Annabelle has been working on since winter arrived in our house.
I’m linking this post up with Montessori Monday on Living Montessori Now and One Hook Wonder.
Waking up to catch her first glimpse of the tree. The husband pointed out that she appears to have been channeling Robert Smith. She's awesome.
When she finished staring at the tree, the first thing she wanted to do was decorate her own. I love this mini version. I have lights and more elaborate decorations from my last classroom, but at her age they're choking hazards. Next year :)
Here's how it looks all neatly laid out in the basket. The star is the topper and the red felt is the tree skirt. Annabelle has been taking this out every day.
The mini colander has made a reappearance, this time with green pipe cleaners! Such a great fine motor activity.
Opening and closing, with little snowmen and bells hidden inside the Christmas-themed boxes might be the favorite of the new activities.
Today was "baking day," but we made red and green play dough instead. Have I mentioned how awesome beet juice is for coloring play dough red?
Instead of being put away, some old favorite toys received a new presentation.
I also thought to use stockings as modified stereognostic bags and hang them from the side of her shelf, but I don’t have much in the way of suitable objects, so I’m placing some small items on order and hoping they’ll arrive before it’s too late.
We’re hoping to travel to Japan around the holiday to give Annabelle a bit of context in which to place all of the snow-related books in her basket. In any case, she seems to be enjoying reading them.
Have you put up your decorations yet? What do your children think? Any great holiday book suggestions, or ideas for other activities? I’d love to hear from you!
16 Responses to Montessori Monday: Winter Has Arrived!
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Oh thanks Melissa. Great inspiration there for me. We’re getting a tree this week so I love the idea of B awaking to it. More mystery. And I’ve never heard of stereognostic so might look into that too, ta.
I’m so glad you were inspired, Rach. I look forward to seeing photos of all the things miss B does this winter! xo
I’m known as Scrooge or The Grinch, with good reason.
I hate all the clutter and the forced gaity that is expected right in the middle of a time I would rather sleep than do anything else. I am not good in the dark months of the year and there is nothing that appeals less than socialising and decorating and doing stuff right now.
We also have the dialemma that comes with a clash of dates – Chanuka starts on the 21st, so do we, or do we not have a Christmas tree? It is much easier when the two do not coincide.
So, so far no decorations, no songs, no metion at all. It won’t be long before it starts creeping in at school though. Bob Dylan singing carols has been threatened…….
I can definitely see your dilemma, and think it’s wonderful that you’re true to yourself and force the holiday spirit when you aren’t into it. We all have things that excite us, and if this isn’t it for you, that’s okay! Wishing you lots of rest!
Rest, now you’re talking!
I found a great CD of tradition Suffolk carols and stories so I am using that for my classroom. It goes well with the Study of Suffolk we are doing and it isn’t at all twinkly or tinselly!
For home, I will go with the flow. Each year has been different as the children grow older and more knowledgable.
And rest may come with it!
I love your husband’s Robert Smith comment. Annabelle has the BEST bed hair. The mini tree is so cute and such a great idea. I’ll have to start thinking about how we’ll set things up here. We usually resist the Christmas tide at least until the beginning of December.
He was definitely right on with the Robert Smith comparison, wasn’t he? I look forward to seeing what you come up with around there if you feel compelled to share – no sense rushing things!
I agree with the commenter Annabelles’ hair is awesome! Love the works, and the excitement you have stirred up in your house. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! I’m loving the things you’re coming up with, too!
I love your ideas. You are getting me in the Christmas mood.
Thanks, Sandy. I’m so glad to have found your blog!
We are moving house this week… which is always stressful but I fully intend to put the tree up as soon as we arrive :) I think Jesse is going to love the lights, he did last year at just 1 month old ;)
Oh, I’m sure he will love the lights! I hope the moving has gone well – I look forward to hearing how the decorating goes :)
I LOVE your Christmas activities, Melissa! The mini colander with green pipe cleaners is awesome – as are the mini Christmas tree and Christmas open and close! I featured your post and open and close photo in my Montessori-Inspired Christmas Activities at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/11/28/montessori-monday-montessori-inspired-christmas-activities/.
Thank you, Deb! I’m honored to be on your list – you had some excellent ideas collected there!
Thanks for joining up with the Montessori Moms Holiday Hop! Are you ready for #2!? I pinned your post here: http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/montessori-holiday-hop/ Thanks again!