Spring/Summer issue
Copyright©1998-2008
all rights reserved
If you would like *free* e-mail copies of our Spring/Summer Issue or back issues just send a request to amonco@aol.com.
You can read many of our back issues here at our web site by visiting
American Montessori Consulting's Home Page.
American Montessori Consulting
P.O. Box 5062
Rossmoor, CA 90720
Heidi Anne Spietz, Editor
Copyright 1988-2008
ISSN 1084-743X
Young children in a Montessori setting are introduced to exercises which help them to recognize shapes, sizes and colors by participating in
hands-on activities. The pink tower, cylinders, the broad stair and the
long stair are just a few of many such activities. Preschoolers also learn to identify primary colors and
arrange colors according to shade.
Maria Montessori provides examples of these and other exercises in Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook. The following lessons provided in this issue, augment, in my opinion, many of her lesson planning ideas as outlined in her handbook. To learn more about the pedagogy, borrow Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook, as well as many of her other titles. You should be able to easily obtain copies at your local library. To further assist you with your spring/summer creative lesson planning ideas, you'll want to visit many of the sites we have recommended in this issue.
The following web sites mentioned throughout this newsletter provide excellent supplemental lesson planning activities for the younger set.
Spend some time with younger children discussing the the color and intricate patterns of butterflies, the variations of color appearing on different types of seashells, the beautiful flower covered landscape of hillsides and so forth.
Paper Strip Sculpture, desgined for the younger set, is an integrated activity combining the learning of shapes with art. You'll find complete instructions by visiting at Gryphon House Books:Preschool Art The Gryphon site has other activities which in our opinion are consistent with the Montessori method as well. Be sure to also click on Five Block Prints and Nature Collage Activities for additional exercises and detailed lessons.
Color gradient learning can be reinforced by inviting preschoolers to participate in the craft exercise found at Fingerweaving Fun You can even use a rainbow to further illustrate color variations.
Properties of Light
BUTTERFLIES - LESSONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Butterfly Gardening in North Dakota
Atlas of North Dakota Butterflies
Are you presenting lessons in French, German, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Italian, and German?
If so, you'll enjoy the opportunity to present the gem names and accompanying historical information associated with each gem described in these languages as well.
Children learn by classifying objects. Click on Gemstones by Color. Here you'll find the information you need to help young children categorize the gems according to color.
If your child enjoyed the gem lesson presentations, expand the topic to focus
on rocks and minerals by visiting
Rockdoctors Guide to Minerals. Here you'll find an ample amount of data for
lesson plans on this dynamic theme, i.e. Collecting rocks and minerals, Field
equipment and necessities, Home equipment, and Organizing Your Collection.
Click on the Rocks and Minerals link to locate detailed information about igneous and metamorphic rocks.
For additional lesson planning visit the *Modern Montessori at Home: A
Creative Teaching Guide for Parents of Children Six through Nine Years of Age* page
Those looking for lesson planning art activities involving seashells will
treasure
Sea Shell Clipart. You'll also want to visit Seashells on Bolivar Peninsula Beaches,
Art Lessons - Seashell Painting and Art Lessons.
If you are lucky enough to be traveling to North Carolina this summer, be sure to visit the
Museum of Coastal Carolina. Your children will be delighted with the large collection of sea shells found along the
coastline. He can then compare what he has seen with the treasures he discovers the museum.
Teachers and homeschoolers presenting lessons in shapes and mathematics to
older students will appreciate
The Fractal Microscope The site provides educators
with pictures, graphs, and detailed information of math related topics like fractal
geometry. Children who have a Montessori background will be particularly
receptive to seeing the relationship of fractals to inanimate objects.
You'll also find examples of
how the computer can be used as a tool to help children see the
relationship of fractals to science.
Amazing Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies of Alberta
The Butterflies of Costa Rica & Other Natural History:
The Butterflies of Hispaniola
Butterflies of Houston & Southeast Texas
The Butterflies of Indiana
Butterflies of the World
Butterflies through Binoculars: The East
The Butterfly Alphabet Book
Butterflies of Ireland
Butterflies of Kenya: And Their Natural History
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Let 100 Flowers Bloom
The Rose in My Garden
Baby Safe Houseplants and Cut Flowers: A Guide to Keeping
Pinatas and Paper Flowers: Holidays of the Americas in English
Chinese Children's Stories: From Rice into Flowers, the Shy
The Rose in My Garden
Wildflower Gardener's Guide: Midwest, Great Plains &
Texas Wildflowers: A Children's Field Guide
Wild Flowers of Japan
Wildflowers of the Canadian Rockies
The English Flower Garden
North Carolina Wildflowers: A Children's Field Guide to the
The Fantastic Fashion Show
Planting a Rainbow
Carolina Seashells
The Encyclopedia of Shells
Familiar Seashells North America
A Field Guide to Shells: Atlantic and
Learning About Shells
Seashells in My Pocket: A Child's Guide
Florida's Fabulous Seashells - And Other Seashore Life
A Child's Guide to Exploring the Atlantic Coast
Texas Monthly Field Guide to Shells of
Seashore Life
Gems & Crystals - From the American
Gems and Minerals of Arizona:A Guide to
Gems, Granites, and Gravels: Knowing and
Geology Crafts for Kids - 50 Nifty
Colorado Rockhounds: A Guide to
National Audubon Society Field Guide to
New Mexico Rocks and Minerals
Rocks and Minerals of California
Guide to Eastern Rocks and Minerals
Common Rocks and Minerals of Missouri
Guide to Rocks and Minerals of the Northwest
The Encyclopedia of Gemstones and Minerals
Minerals and Gems: From the American
Gemstones of the World
50 Nifty Origami Crafts
Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About Oceans
Easy Carpentry Projects for Children
Nature Crafts for Children
Snips & Snails & Walnut Whales: Nature
The Usborne Books of Origami
Arts and Crafts for Special Education
Ecology Crafts for Kids: 50 Great Ways
The Art of Shapes:For Children and
Color and Shape in American Indian Art
Math Art: Projects and Activities
Math Arts: Exploring Math Through
Creative Math-Art Activities for the
Space, Structure, & Form (The Golden
Our Montessori Resource Book *Montessori Resources* has been very well received by both Montessori teachers and parents. is now available.
Montessori Resources: A Complete Guide to Finding Montessori
* indepth reviews of highly recommended resources and products designed for
* tips on how to use the resources in a Montessori setting
* information on where to buy supplies for integrated lesson planning
* tips on how to make some of the Montessori materials yourself
* selected book lists for lesson planning
* recommended computer software
To learn more about this book, other Montessori books and other lesson planning books, please visit the AMC Montessori Bookstore
As always, we appreciate *your* input. Please e-mail us with your comments.
Copyright c1998-2008
Would You Like to Create Beginning Reading Books for Your Own Children??
For additional information about Montessori At Home, and other Montessori books for teaching older children visit:
As mentioned earlier, young children in a Montessori environment use color tablets to learn colors
and their gradients. Parents and teachers wishing to extend this type of
learning activity will be interested in the
Gem Shapes and Cuts. You, as an educator, will find useful
information at this site for presenting integrated lessons which will help children
identify the different shapes and colors. Children will also have an
opportunity to learn new vocabulary related to gemology. Click on The
World of Gemstones, Gem by Gem, and you
will be given the opportunity to select additional resource information. 
Now for all of you bibliophiles.....
Eyewitness Juniors
by John Still
Jerry Young, Illustrator
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Publisher
ISBN#: 0679815155
Backyards & Butterflies: Ways to Include Children with
Disabilities in Outdoor Activities
by Doreen Greenstein, Suzanne Bloom and Naomi Miner
by Brookline
ISBN#: 1571290117
Birds, Beasts, and Butterflies Postcards
by Chronicle Books
ISBN#: 0811819523
Butterflies for Kids
by E. Jaediker Norsgaard
Illustrated by John F. Mcgee
NorthWord Press, Incorporated, Publisher
ISBN#: 1559715464
by John Acorn
Lone Pine, Publisher
ISBN#: 1551050285
Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Vol. 1
by Philip J. DeVries
Princeton Publishing Company, Incorporated
ISBN#: 0691024030
University of Florida
ISBN#: 0813009022
by John Tveten and Gloria A. Tveten
University of Texas, Publisher
ISBN#: 0292781431
Publisher: U of Tex P
by Ernest M. Shull
Indiana University Press, Publisher
ISBN#: 0253312922
Publisher: Indiana University Press
by Valerio Sbordoni and Saverio Forestiero
ISBN#: 1552092100
Firefly Book, Publisher
by Jeffrey Glassberg
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, Publisher
ISBN#: 0195106687
by Brian Cassie and Jerry Pallotta
Mark Astrella, Illustrator
Charlesbri, Publisher
ISBN#: 0881068942
by Norman E. Hicklin and Norman E. Hickin
Roberts Rinehart Publishers, Incorporated
ISBN#: 1879373017
by Torben B. Larsen
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN#: 019850005X
Tomie dePaola
Putnam Publication
ISBN#: 0698113608
by Feng Jicai
Viking Chi, Publisher
ISBN#: 0670858056
Arnold Lobel
ISBN#: 0688025862
Publisher: Greenwillo
Children and Plants Safely under the Same Roof
by Delores M. Alber
Genus Books, Publisher
ISBN#: 0962606618
and Spanish = PI Natas Y FL
by Lila Perl
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
ISBN 089919155X
Rainbow
Hwa-I Publishing Co. Staff
Wonder Kids Publications Staff
ISBN#: 1561621005
Published by Wonder Kid
by Arnold Lobel
Illustrated by Anita Lobel
ISBN#: 0688025862
Publisher: Greenwillo
Canadian Prairies Edition
by Henry Warren Art
ISBN0882666681
Publisher: Storey Com
to the State's Most
Common Flowers
by Beverly Magley
ISBN#: 1560441836
Publisher Falcon Press Publishing Company, Incorporated
by Ran Levy
ISBN#: 4770018096
Published by Kodansha America, Inc.
by George Wilby Scotter
ISBN#: 088830286X
Published by McClelland and Stewart
by William Robinson
ISBN#: 0898310318
Published by Sagapress, Incorporated
State's Most Common Flowers
by Beverly Magley
ISBN#: 1560441844
Published by Falcon Press Publishing Company, Incorporated
by Dagmar Foslien
ISBN#: 0910313504
Published by Parker Brothers Publishing
by Lois Ehlert
ISBN#: 0152626093
Published by Harcourt Brace & Company
by Nancy Rhyne
Published by Sandlapper
ISBN: 0878440771
by Kenneth R. Wye
Published by Facts on Fille
ISBN 0816027021
by Harold Rehder
ISBN 0394757955
Published by Knopf
Gulf Coasts and the West India (The Peterson
Field Guide)
by R. Tucker Abbott and Percy A Morris
Published by Houghton, Mifflin Co.
ISBN 0395697794
by Sy Barlowe
Published by Dover
ISBN 0486297616
to Exploring the Atlantic Coast
by Judith Hansen
ISBN 1878239155
by Winston Williams
ISBN 091197058
by Judith Hansen
Published by Appalachian Mountain Club
ISBN 1878239155
the Texas Coast
by Jean Andrews
ISBN0877192103
Published by Gulf Pub Company
Published by Christine Lazier
Published by The Young Discovery Library
ISBN 0944589391
Museum of Natural History
by Anna S. Sofianides and George E. Harlow
Published by Simon & Schuster
ISBN 0671687042
Native Gemstones (Arizona Traveler Guidebooks)
by Sharon Panczner
Published by Renaissance House
ISBN 1558380973
Using Rocks and Minerals
by Richard Vincent Dietrich and Brian J. Skinner
ISBN 0521344441
Projects to Explore the Marvels of Planet Earth
by Alan Anderson, Gwen Diehn and Terry Krautwurst
Published by Sterling Publications
ISBN 0806981571
Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils
by Stephen M. Voynick
Published by Mountain Press
North American Rocks and Minerals
by Charles Wesley Chesterman
Published by Knopf
ISBN 0394502698
by S. Kimbler, R.I. Narsavage and Frank S. Kimler
Published by Sunstone Press
ISBN 0913270970
by Vinson Brown, David Allan and James Stark
Published by Naturegraph
ISBN 0911010580
by James Grandy
Publishes by Hancock House
ISBN 0888391056
by W.D. Keller
Published by Univ of Missouri
ISBN 0826205852
by Stan Leaming and Chris Leaming
Publishes by Hancock House
ISBN 088839053X
by Martin Holden
Published by Facts on File
ISBN 0816021775
Museum of Natural History (A Tiny Folio)
by Joseph J. Peters
and George Harlow
Published by Abbeville Press, Inc.
ISBN 1558592733
by Walter Schumann
Published by Sterling Publications
ISBN 0806995614
by Andrea Urton
Published by Lowell House
ISBN 1565650115
by Kathy Ross
Published by Millbrook
by Jerome Edward Leavitt
ISBN 0486250571
Published by Dover Publications
by Wendy L. Zhorne and Paul Stoub
ISBN 0801052661
Published by Baker Book House
Crafts for Children
by Phyllis Fiarotta
Published by Workman Publishing Company
ISBN 0911104496
by Kate Needham and L. Somerville
Published by E D C Publications
ISBN 0746014899
by Maryan T Winsor
Published by Pitman Learning
ISBN 0822405008
to Make Friends With Planet Earth
by B. Needham
ISBN 0806906855
Published by Sterling Publications
Adults
by Margaret Steele and Cindy Estes
Published by Museum of Contemporary Art
ISBN 0914357506
by Zena Pearlstone Matthews
Published by Metropolitan Museum of Art
by Carolyn Ford Brunetto
ISBN 0590963716
Published by Scholastic Trade
Art for 3 to 6 Year Olds
by Mary Ann F. Kohl, Maryann F. Kohl and
Cindy Gainer
ISBN 08765917
Primary Grades
by Sonia Daleki Forseth
Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 0131901095
Relationship: Art, Math and Nature)
by Rochelle Newman and Donna M. Fowler
Published by William C Brown Communications
ISBN 0697330583
Materials for Parents and Teachers contains the following:
preschoolers through 15 years of age
We hope that all of you have a happy, healthy summer!
American Montessori Consulting
P.O. Box 5062
Rossmoor, CA 90720
Heidi Anne Spietz, editor
Frances Henderson, Manager
Spring/Summer Edition
THE AMC MONTESSORI NEWS
all rights reserved
American Montessori Consulting