Doily on a Red Tray

 Hobby Lobby has bags of wooden objects like these stars, hearts and laser cut discs. Then, the old lady earrings are from a garage sale as well as the unknown golden twisted objects. A paper doily is the center of attraction with beauties orbiting.

My eyes are so happy!

Gingerbread Boys

So I find these things at estate sales and Goodwill for pennies.

I bring them back to my "Loose Parts" storage room. 

I have a lot!

I play around with the items and make a theme or subject sometimes like apples and gingerbread boys.

I do it. Looks good. It goes on the "Loose Parts" shelf and I watch the children approach it after a lesson is given by me. Not all children naturally understand how to approach making a design and sometimes a heap of all objects is happily laid out. Time for a repeat lesson. They chant, "Circle, circle, diamond in the middle." as they try again. Chaos becomes pattern. Pattern becomes beauty. 

 http://www.aneverydaystory.com/2013/03/05/the-theory-of-loose-parts/

Circle Straw Mat Design

 It is looking a little like Reggio Emilia around here.

 

The lesson is repetition, direction of line, harmony and grace. 

 

The lesson is making beauty.

 

The lesson works by engaging the child to make choices in calm concentration. 

The Blue Necklace Design Tray

This free form design tray for young children, although I love doing it as well, is highlighted by a simple necklace and bobbles of another necklace I took apart. The wooden cylinders, thread bobbins and discs were all found in a 25 cent bag at an estate sale. 

It may be a mystery to Montessori teachers who may visit this site. Why am I doing this? 

I must not be a real Montessori teacher. I have nerve to use my own ideas. I am creative and it makes me very satisfied to put these loose parts, a Reggio term, together. I love creating all types of curriculum for children. The children show me if it works or not. It always does. I am not afraid to walk out of the lines that define Maria. I am a real Montessori teacher who has original ideas that pour out of me. And I use them. My teacher, Celma Perry of Chicago, required us to make a huge amount of materials. Of course they were all traditional presentations. 

After doing those for more than 30 years I needed more. 

I needed these. 

They are for the artist in me and in the children.