I really like the ideas about setting up a classroom and managing it the Montessori way. One of the biggest resources for ideas for anything homeschooling is all the other homeschool blogs on the internet. When I wanted to set up a little space for the boys, I mostly used this blog post as a model. Montessori suggests using child-size furniture, which I agree with after trying to give poor Trevor his reading lessons at the counter on bar stools. He's afraid of falling and slips around a lot. We bought chairs ($9.99 each) and a table ($3 in the clearance area) at Ikea (I also bought myself a short stool for $2 so I can sit with the boys). Then I prepared materials for as many free activities as I could find in the books. It is suggested that you use trays for each activity, but I just used what I had and bought various types of containers at the dollar store. I think the point is for the materials to always be available and for the kids to be able to see and access them easily. Here are photos of what we've done:
I also read a book called Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, by Angeline Stoll Lillard. I like reading about others' ideas, but I also like knowing they're backed by research. This book is just a lot of research backing each part of Montessori's methods. I REALLY liked the chapter about time management and schedules. I didn't like what the author said about behaviorism, and I think she got it wrong from several viewpoints. I'm beginning to realize how aversive I truly am to "unschooling." I like a lot of those ideas, too, but our family just needs a little more structure than unschooling gives. I'd also like to read Montessori's own guidebook on her methods someday.
Two books I really liked for implementing Montessori (books I like enough to buy eventually and not just borrow) are David Gettman's Basic Montessori, and Maja Pitamic's Teach Me to Do It Myself. Both books are full of Montessori activities and instructions. Basic Montessori also gives a thorough and short summary of Montessori, complete with an explanation of the activity categories. Pitamic's book is ecpecially helpful for two reasons: 1. It has activities that can be made with materials I have at home (cheap!), and 2. It has photos and drawings of the activities, as well as detailed instructions and variations. Categories include life skills, developing the senses, language development, numeracy, and science.
This method works well for us. Conrad especially loves Montessori and will quietly work with a tray of materials for quite some time before moving on. And even at two he can learn the rules. I usually set him up with a Montessori activity before starting a lesson with Trevor and I only have to help him once or twice, sometimes not at all, depending on the activity and how long he is interested. Trevor also likes Montessori and plays with the materials during Conrad's naptime when he is expected to choose quiet activities or rest. At first I tried having the boys do Montessori for a couple hours in the morning, but I might switch it around a little. We still have a adjusting to do.
Trevor also finished his 56th reading lesson today.
