Day 118 - toys

There are some toys that they seem to never outgrow.  We received these stacking blocks from a good friend back when Calista was one year old.   They've been put away at times but when they are spotted everyone wants them out again.  This is one toy that I'll keep for grandkids one day.   There are many special memories attached to these blocks, as silly as it may seem.  I have photos of each of the girls finally being able to stack the top block and countless others while they crash them down with daddy.  I had these out on a job tray for Courtney and Claire when I noticed Caroline having fun with the blocks all over again.

Our trays this week

I'm changing the trays once per week.  I have to do it when they are not around because Courtney does not want them to change.  Caroline has fewer workboxes now because she is spending a good chunk of her time with trays.

Later, when Daddy came home from work, Claire was excited to show him what she learned to do. 

Claire is showing Calista how she sorts her jellybeans.  She selects one color at a time to sort.  

Courtney counting baby chicks and matching them to the correct number.  

More on our Tot Trays

I cleared out a bookshelf for our Job Trays this week.  I originally planned them for the twins as Tot Trays but Caroline has spent so much time working with them and enjoys them as much as they do.  I added a few that were specifically for her as well.  I think I'll switch them out once per week and have the girls only work with them during our school time.  I'm still thinking it all through so we'll see how it evolves.

They can either sit at the school table or on the floor with their jobs.  We practiced getting the trays, taking them to a spot and then returning them.  We only had one collision!

I loved how absorbed they were and I especially enjoyed observing how differently they interacted with the items on their tray.  Calista started off in a Montessori preschool and I always knew I wanted to add this to our homeschool.  I have so much to learn but decided to start with what I know so far.

The trays provide them with a sense of space since the items are all contained on the tray.  It's easy for them to clean up which is an important part of the process too.

It was pretty quiet when they were working.  The jobs are simple but required concentration.

I basically just walked around the house and gathered items that could be used with different tasks or themes.  For example; pouring, beading, transferring, gluing, cutting, simple crafts, sorting and so on.   Here are some of the resources that I've used so far to set this up.

• This blog, 1+1+1+1,  has an amazing amount of information and it was my first stop.
• I borrowed this book from a friend....Mommy, Teach Me! by Barbara Curtis.  It has step by step directions for each tray.  I just had to purchase my own! 

I'm so happy with this addition to our homeschool and can't wait to learn more!

Montessori Inspired Tot Trays

I've been wanting to get these going for some time and we've finally done it!  We added some Montessori inspired Tot Trays.  I usually include Courtney and Claire in most of Caroline's curriculum but they needed something else.  Additionally, it helps to have them absorbed in an activity for a little while so I can work with the older girls on their lessons.

I started with cookie sheets until I was able to get the trays.  I'm still in the process of gathering ideas but I'm so excited to have finally started.

This is a download from Mathwire.com called Domino Parking lot.  Claire counted the dots on the domino and parked it in the right spot.

It was so interesting to see how each of the girls (Caroline, Courtney and Claire) worked with the items on the tray.

Caroline ordered the months of the year and is checking her work.

Cutting practice for Courtney and Claire

I'm still in the developing stages but I believe it's a great addition to our day.