Our Awesome Playground

When I run into graduates of our school who are now much older I always ask what they remember about Dundee Montessori. The insect unit, the clay program, singing in Japanese and always the playground! This playground stays with kids for years. We believe in play that is spontaneous and only watched over by us. Children need to create their own outdoors world without grown ups. 

For 30 years we have been educating children in the neighborhood of Dundee, a 100 year old neighborhood with grand old houses.

Our entry is on the side.

The patio has a shade cover so we can be out in the full sun and even rain storms and be comfortable. 

It is a wonderland of play.

Our stage area with music wall for dress up and singing.

Miss Shirley has been with us for 20 years!

The balance beams are a favorite.

They love to hit these with the bats

We eat at our picnic tables on all nice days.

Our vintage drinking fountain from my youth.

Our huge driveway extends our play!

This experience is beloved by all children who are lucky enough to be with us!

Second Facebook Page Highlights Free Form Beauties

https://www.facebook.com/FreeFormArtforKids/ 

Here I highlight Dundee Montessori's Free Form Design curriculum that I often post on this blog.

Look below under Reggio and find them here also. 

They are stunning designs made by children. 

Initial Sound Baskets

We use many objects for reading in many ways. These sound baskets are in the younger classroom and has a little book, picture cards, objects, letters and a variety of things to build vocabulary and phonetic awareness. The able children will write and draw from the booklet.

It is a favorite pre-reading activity.

Cogs, Wheels, Eggs and Silver Turtles

This shelf is for floor work only and totally free form with the kids making all the decisions and my keeping away and then being amazed at what these pre-k artists come up with on their own.

All objects are from basement sales and thrift stores. 

What boy could resist these!

 Yes, it took me a couple of years to accumulate all these cool wooden spindles.

The trick is to find a basement sale that has a lathe workshop.

 Tinker tray with treasures!

Silver turtle napkin rings and old ear rings!

These boys take their design job very seriously and can work for a long time making the choices of placement, pairing and overall beauty.

One has to be impressed with the complexity of this layout.

When in their life will they have this chance to do this again?

This is why we offer this. For art's sake.

A Large Collection of Water Works

These are in no order for you to view and get new ideas from. Please take any idea and run with it. I think they are self- explanatory. Enjoy and use in your class or easily at home.