Reorganizing

Just had to stop by to share this with those who'd appreciate it:

I found these school books - all 47 of them - at the thrift shop today! There are some real gems in this pile and the best part is the whole lot cost only $12!!

I'm now inspired to reorganize our entire library into a more coherent system. We have four 8-foot bookcases packed with books, and the above purchase will have us spilling over onto another bookcase. I'll be back (at some point) to share details and photos on how I organized our school books and James' reading books. It's going to change the look of our classroom a bit, but I'm feeling ready for a change so the timing is perfect.

Speaking of change, I've also been doing A LOT of thinking and researching about James' curriculum for the reminder of this year and the 2012-2013 school year. You may be surprised to learn that we'll be moving away from Montessori for the most part. I'll still use certain aspects of the method and many of the materials we already have because I really do believe Montessori is an excellent way to teach and learn. The fact is, there are just some subject areas where James suddenly seems to be doing better with worksheets. Not to mention the fact I have come to the sad realization that I just don't have the energy anymore to create loads of trays each month. And on that note, I should mention that I won't be doing big monthly themes anymore either, but instead we'll focus on smaller, less frequent units - sort of like our mini-units.

Of course all of the materials we already have and those that I've made won't go to waste - when Juliet is of toddler age and throughout her preschool years I'll guide her by way of the Montessori method, just as I did with James. It's peace of mind to know I already have all of that on hand, ready to go!

On a different note, I'm slowing working my way back into blogging. I'll stop in and post only when I get a chance. Truth be told, I don't think I'll ever come back to blogging as often as I used to. I've quite enjoyed this break and it made me realize just how much time I spent on the computer before Juliet came! My priorities have shifted, my "free" time has been cut in half, and my energy level hovers somewhere just above low. :) It's all good - I'm not complaining. Just sayin' you won't see me around these parts as much as you used to.

These two sweet coconuts keep me on my toes!

~Thank you for your comments!~

Number Fun & Refurbing Scrapping Materials

So, what does an ex-scrapbooker do when she has lots of scrap paper and embellishments laying around? Why, turn them into learning tools, of course!

I recently ran across this bunch of embellishments and just threw them in a basket and added them to our shelves to see what James would do with them...

He immediately got out the sandpaper numbers (and later the red and blue number rods) and began sorting and matching the numbers. He spent over 30 minutes doing this!

In case you're interested, here are a few links to what I've done with some of my other scrapping materials:

Paper:
Seasonal Bulletin Board
Paper People
Classroom Calendar
Pockets & Pouches

Embellishments:
Sensory Tubs
Felt Counting Fish
Continent Bags (stickers and stampers)
Counting Cards
Sorting

Misc.
Art Basket

~Thank you for your comments!~

This n That

It really goes against my OCD tendencies to create a "mish-mash" post, but I'm quickly realizing that I have more things to blog about that I have the time, so mish-mash it is - here are just a few things I've been meaning to post about:

The Craft Hope Scarf...
Is (finally) coming along really nicely! It took me a while to get the hang of it, and I did have to start over from scratch a few times, but now I found my knitting groove. I'm about 1/3 of the way done and I'll definitely have the scarf ready in time for the deadline!

I just had my second knitting class yesterday and I started another project - a hat for James! This is going to be tricky and already I've had to start over. Knit one, purl one, knit one, purl one... ugh - it's stuck in my head!

Montessori Training...
Two words: love it. I get so excited whenever I "have to" study. :) I am learning so much already and it's only been 2 weeks! I keep meaning to write a post about the Great Montessori Movement going on in our home and about what brought me to Montessori in the first place (several of you have sweetly asked to know more). I hope to write up something soon.

Some Surprising Finds...
As you all know, I love thrifty shopping. I haven't done a Frugal Friday post in a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't found some new goodies! The other day James and I made a trip to the local pet store. My cats have been sorely ignored since James was born, and they're starting to show signs of mutiny. So, James and I bought a few cat toys and treats for them as a peace offering.

Now as any good Montessori mama/teacher would do, I scanned the pet store for possible Practical Life materials. Lo and behold I found some! Check it out...

Two little radish shaped dishes (presumably for some type of rodent), a nest (for a bird cage), and some plastic ocean shapes (for fish tanks). I don't need to explain to you how much fun these finds are or what I plan to use them for. You clever, creative ladies can clearly see for yourselves (that's what I love about you!). :)

My New Laminator...
A Christmas gift from my sweetie! For the whole month of December I kept singing, "all I want for Christmas is a lam-in-nator, a lam-in-nator, a lam-in-nator..." I guess he got the hint. :)

Look at this beast! Leave it to my Hubs to get the industrial strength machine. I do believe this thing could laminate my hand! Truth be told, I'm a tad afraid of it... ;)

Frugal Friday

Since I go to the thrift store once every couple of weeks or so, I thought I'd start a routine "Frugal Friday" post all about the thrifty things I find. :) I love a good deal, don't you?

This wee little squirrel was all of 50 cents! I've already used him for this nut sorting activity.
This basket is much sturdier than it looks and for only $1 I couldn't pass it up. It has pretty woven flowers all around the sides.

I was so happy to find this cute little fish tray. I have the *perfect* activity to use this with!

I saw this silver sorting tray on Montessori Services, and was thrilled to get it for only 50 cents! The silver leaf and the corked bottle will be used for sorting work, and the two pouring cups have already been used for... you guessed it - pouring!

Goodies

More thrifty finds!!
Aren't they lovely?!

I found these smooth pebbles and crystals at a not-at-all thrifty place. I think they're meant to be a decorative thing for water fountains (you know, cuz everyone's got a water fountain in their home). I saw them as the perfect thing for counting, sorting, and spooning activites!! And at 50% off they were sooo cheap!

These, however, weren't so cheap. But I love wooden things and, I reasoned, it IS for James' Montessori work AND, I reasoned, I will definitely use all of this when I school our future child(ren). :)

Thrifting... A National Pastime

Or at least it should be. I love shopping - especially for a bargain. Unfortunately that's not an easy thing to do in Bermuda. Things are ridiculously expensive here (2-3 times the price in the US). And as far as I know, there are only 3 places on the entire island where a girl can go to find a good deal: The Salvation Army, The Barn, and The Dollar Depot (where everything's well over a dollar).

I only shop for things I can use in teaching James, so this weekend I went to The Barn in search of some practical life materials (for our Montessori lessons). It's usually pretty hit or miss there, and I was sooo excited to find lots of great things - check it out!!Here's what you see:

• A bag of mini strawberries (will use for tonging)
• Duck basket (see close up)
• Mini basket w/ handle
  
• 2 bowls w/ citrus pattern (LOVE these!)
• 2 mini potters (perfect for the spring/garden lesson I have planned)
• 2 colbalt blue egg cups that came with... wait for it... a little spoon! Spooning work ready to go!
• A little handmade basket/box (see close up)
• 2 glass shell bowls (will go great with our shell sorting)
• A beautiful green, ceramic cup (see close up)
• 2 glass fish... things. Don't know what these actually are, but I'm going to use them for spooning.
• And finally, 4 books

All this for $12!! Ok, so I know that probably doesn't sound like much a deal to some of you, but trust me, in Bermuda it's a steal!

Here are the close-ups:
I plan on using these for sorting. That lil basket is handmade and I like that it has a lid. James loves opening things to find surprises. :) And how cute is that duck, honestly? I plan on filling him with some type of spring-themed thing (flowers, maybe?). Lastly the green cup, I just had to show you how pretty it is with that basket looking pattern.

I love love love practical life work and these little goodies will have me smiling all week! Those of you who know Montessori will appreciate my finds that much more.

I love when other Bloggers share their thrifty finds, so I decided to do the same from now on. I *try* not to go thrifting too often (Hubs doesn't appreciate my new hobby), but whenever I do I'll be sure to post about it! And (Hubs is gonna love me for this) I decided that I'll donate something each time I shop. It's a total win-win sitch!

A Real Good Deal

...as they say in Minnesota. In the Land of 10k Lakes a good deal ranks right up there with hot dish and duct tape. And oh man would I make my dad proud with this deal I found on E-moo* the other day.

9 - count 'em nine - wooden puzzles (2 of which are 4 puzzles in one!) for a mere $25 dollars. And (wait for it...) the basket came with them! You must appreciate how good a deal this is; in Bermuda ONE of these Melissa & Doug puzzles is easily $20-$30. So this was basically 9 for the price of 1. Hellooo!!James LOVES puzzles and seeing as we already had a bunch of our own prior to my thrifty purchase, I was glad to take this opportunity to have some fun: I used said *free* basket and put all of James' puzzles in it and then separated all the puzzle pieces and put them in individual Ziplocs. Then I numbered each puzzle and each corresponding bag of pieces. Makes finding the matching set much easier and bonus - it's a tricksy way of teaching James concepts. :)

*E-moo is Bermuda's online classifieds. You can buy or sell almost anything for an excellent price. Since there are always ex-pats coming and going there's tons of nearly new stuff - usually stuff you can't otherwise find in Bermuda - available for purchase. I heart E-moo.