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Thank You’s for January 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! I already published my post with lots of Groundhog Day Activities for Your Classroom or Homeschool. It isn’t too late to decide on an activity or activities to have some extra fun today! Now, on to my thank-you post!

From my Google Analytics report for January 2012

Thank you to all my referrers!

Top 10 Referring Sites (Not counting sites like Facebook, Networked Blogs, Pinterest, Google, Twitter, Blogger, and Stumble Upon)

1. Leptir

2. PreK + K Sharing

3. No Time for Flash Cards

4. 1+1+1=1

5. Early Education with Antek and Kuba

6. My Montessori MOMents

7. Imagination Soup

8. The Princess and the Tot

9. Toddler Approved

10. Peaceful Parenting

Thank you to all my readers!

Top 10 Visited Posts

1. Free Montessori Materials Online

2. Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Winter Activities

3. How to Set Up a Montessori Homeschool Classroom

4. Montessori Practical Life Activities

5. Montessori-Inspired Arctic and Antarctic Unit

6. How to Set Up a Montessori Preschool Classroom at Home

7. Montessori Monday – Inexpensive and DIY Movable Alphabets

8. Top 10 Montessori Principles for Natural Learning

9. Montessori Monday – Inexpensive and DIY Sandpaper Letters

10. How to Prepare a Montessori Baby Room

Thank you for helping the American Heart Association

The Heart ProjectThank you to Jamie Reimer who organized the project, to the bloggers who contributed, and to everyone who’s donated to the American Heart Association and received a gift of The Heart Project eBook or printed book. Over 70 kid bloggers, including me, from around the world contributed to a beautiful book with 100+ heart-related photographs and projects. By simply donating $5 to the American Heart Association in February, you’ll receive your own copy of this awesome book!

Thank you to Mom Blogger eBook Contributors!

Free eBook! Thank you to the mom bloggers and Montessori teachers (“Moms to Many”) who submitted wonderful Montessori activities and ideas for the free eBook Mom Bloggers Talk Montessori: Favorite Ideas and Activities! And thank you to John Bowman, author of Montessori at Home, for all his work in putting the book together! If you haven’t gotten your free eBook yet, be sure to click on the image to find out how to get your copy!

Thank you for photo permissions!

Thank you to the wonderful bloggers who have given me permission to use your photos in my posts (with credit to you, a link to your post, and a comment letting you know I’m using your photo, of course)! If you haven’t seen my request for permissions, here’s a link to my post: Request for Montessori Photo Permissions.

If I may have permission to use photos from your blog, please let me know! Although I use Montessori photos most often, I also link to posts with crafts, art projects, and educational activities (especially unit studies posts with family activities). If you have posts with similar activities, I’d really appreciate photo permissions for them. I love that the photos add to the post content and also bring attention to your link.

Thank you to link-up participants!

Montessori MondayThank you to everyone who links up and to everyone who reads and comments on the Montessori Monday posts! I always enjoy seeing the ideas that are linked up each week, and I appreciate the encouragement you give to each other in using Montessori education at home or school.

Family-Friendly Giveaway LinkyThank you to everyone who links up and/or visits the participants in my Family-Friendly Giveaway Linky (which you can link up with at any time but is refreshed and has outdated links removed each Sunday)!

 

Thank you to my sponsors!

My sponsors all have products I wish would have been around when I had a Montessori preschool and when I homeschooled my children!

Montessori Print ShopThank you to Montessori Print Shop, who has free printables (including a new free Montessori material released each month), beautiful yet inexpensive printables, a wonderful blog, and lots of great information and resources (see all the drop-down menus at the top of the page)! For more information, read my Sponsor Spotlight – Montessori Print Shop. And be sure to check out the Montessori Print Shop bundle that goes along with the Montessori at Home e-book. Montessori Print Shop is offering $60.49 worth of Montessori materials for $19.95 to everyone who purchases the Montessori at Home! Materials Bundle!

Montessori CompassMontessori Compass is a software application to help Montessori teachers and schools (preschool-grade 5) keep records and communicate with parents easily and efficiently. It gives parents a personalized connection with the Montessori classroom. Montessori Compass is offering a 60-day free trial for my readers when you use the promo code LivingMontessoriNow! For more information about Montessori Compass, formerly MontessoriBuddy, read the MontessoriBuddy Sponsor Spotlight.

Total YearbooksThank you to Total Yearbooks, who has competitive pricing (including bulk pricing) for yearbooks for homeschools, sports teams, preschools, and other schools as well as books for sports memories, graduations, weddings, baby memories, and more. The yearbooks can easily be put together online through templates ready to go. You also have the option to upload a PDF or jpgs created with digital scrapbooking software and print books through Total Yearbooks! For more information, read my Total Yearbooks Sponsor Spotlight.

Montessori at HomeThank you to John Bowman and Montessori at Home, with the newly revised eBook Montessori at Home: The Complete Guide to Doing Montessori Early Learning Activities at Home, and the condensed version in paperback Help Your Preschooler Build a Better Brain: Early Learning Activities for 2-6 Year Old Children. In the e-book, you get over 250 Montessori early-learning activities for use at home with 3-7 yr. olds. Read my review of Montessori at Home for more information.

Thank you to my newest sponsor, Maestro ClassicsMaestro Classics, who has award-winning CDs that introduce children to classical music through stories. Each CD is performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel; Peter and the Wolf; Tortoise and the Hare; My Name is Handel; Juanita the Spanish Lobster; Swan Lake; Casey at the Bat; Sorcerer’s Apprentice; and Juanita la langosta! Maestro Classics offers Special Packages, Educational Materials, and Kids Club!

Thank you to Jessica from Keys of the Universe, who sponsored a wonderful giveaway in January: Half Off Keys of the Universe Elementary Montessori Training ($150 Value) OR 2 Montessori Elementary Albums ($90 Value)!

Kids Can Do ItThank you to Kids Can Do It, who sponsored my latest giveaway of 5 award-winning character books for elementary kids written by Sandra McLeod Humphrey!

Thank you to my affiliates!

Please check out my products page for my affiliates, who have wonderful products! I only become an affiliate for companies with products I believe in. I really appreciate if you go through my affiliate links when you’re ordering because I’ll receive a small commission. It won’t affect your order or prices in any way (unless you go through a discount link of mine and receive a better price than normal!)

My MemoriesI’m an affiliate for My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software, iTunes, App Store, Hearth Song, Magic Beans, Melissa & Doug, Plow & Hearth, Problem Solvers, Christian Book, Inspire 4 Less, and Barnes and Noble.

Thank you to my affiliate My Memories, who sponsored the giveaway in August of My Memories Suite 2.0 digital scrapbooking software and continues to offer a special My Memories coupon code for all my readers (and your friends and family). If you use the coupon code STMMMS48784 at My Memories upon checkout, you’ll receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store – a $20 value!

Thanks again, everyone! Have a fun Groundhog Day and a fabulous February! :)

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The Heart Project – Fundraiser for the American Heart Association

The Heart ProjectI’m excited to be a contributor for a wonderful book and cause – The Heart Project eBook and printed book created as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association! The collaborative project was the brainchild of Jamie Reimer from hands on : as we grow in honor of a very special little girl.

Jamie brought together over 70 bloggers to create a beautiful book with 100+ heart-related projects. There are projects to create, cook, play with and display in your home! Thanks so much to Jamie for all her work in making this project come to life! :)

By making a donation to the American Heart Association, you’ll receive this amazing collection of photographed heart projects from bloggers all over the world. Please join us in our efforts to raise $1000 for the AHA by Valentine’s Day!

Sneak Peak Inside The Heart Project Book:

Sneak Peak Inside The Heart Project Book

My contribution to The Heart Project:
Pipe Cleaner and Bead Heart

Turning Valentine Crafts into Montessori-Oriented Activities

Make a donation to the American Heart Association and receive The Heart Project eBook as a gift!

eBook: US $5. Make a donation of $5 to the American Heart Association and receive The Heart Project eBook as a free gift! (Note: the book is only available for donation through February.)

Add to Cart

Beautifully Printed 8.5 x 8.5″ Version:  US $20. $5 of every book sold will be donated to the American Heart Association!

US $20.00

Donate:  If you’d like to make an extra donation to the American Heart Association (or a donation without receiving the book), please click the yellow donate button below. Every bit helps!

Money Donated:

Bonus donation:

Craftprojectideas.com is contributing $1 for every eBook sold this month! So, in addition to your $5 donation, Craftprojectideas.com will donate another $1 on your behalf (up to $500)!

Please stop by the Craftprojectideas.com Facebook page and tell them thank you for being so generous!

craftprojectideas.com showing the love

Giveaways

Giveaways are happening every day from now until the 14th! Be sure to check them all out! These giveaways are from Heart Project bloggers who are generously donating their projects from the eBook or something related to their heart project.

There are also special giveaways from Melissa & Doug, Fudoo Boards and CraftProjectIdeas.com. Check back each day to enter that day’s giveaways!

Fundraiser Auctions:

♥  All proceeds of each auction will go to the AHA  

Melissa & Doug - 4 Trunki with Teddy Bear Auctions!

Fudoo Boards -3 Fudoo Board Kits for Auction!

Contributing Bloggers:

hands on : as we grow
A Little Learning for Two   Among Many Blessings
Angelique Felix
At Home with Ali   Broken Treasures
Busy at Home
Busy Kids Happy Mom   Carrie Saindon’s Photo Journey
Child Central Station
Classified: Mom   Classroom Magic
Creative with Kids
Creativity My Passion   Critters and Crayons
De Tout et de Rien
Dilly-Dali Art   Dinosaurs & Octopuses
Excited 2 Learn
Hand Over the Cookies   Handprint & Footprint Art
Happy Hooligans
Heart Journey   Imagination Soup
Jamie’s Jumble
Kitchen Counter Chronicles   Kreative Resources
Let Kids Create
Little Illuminationss   Living Montessori Now
Loudness of the Lambs
Love and Lollipops   Mama, hocemo nesto da pravimo
Mama Pea Pod
Mama Smiles   MemeTales
Messy Kids
Mindful Meanderings   Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Mommy Labs
Mommy Perks   Mum Paints Lives
Mummy Mummy Mum
My Creative Family   NurtureStore
One Artsy Mama
Peace Love & Rainbows   Play Dr Mom
Putti Prapancha
Rainbows within Reach   Reading Confetti
Ready. Set. Read!
Red Ted Art   Sense of Wonder
Share & Remember
Stacy Molter   Sun Hats & Wellie Boots
Teach Preschool
The Artful Child   The Chocolate Muffin Tree
The Craft Barn
The Educators’ Spin on It   The Golden Gleam
The Imagination Tree
The Iowa Farmer’s Wife   The Joy of My Life
The Kids Fun Review
The Outlaw Mom Blog   The Preschool Toolbox
The Seeds Network
Toddler Approved

Thanks so much for making a difference! :)

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Groundhog Day Activities for Your Classroom or Homeschool

Pinterest - Kids' Groundhog Day Activities

I’m a fan of using special events to add some fun to your classroom or homeschool. Last March, I had a post with lots of calendar resources for creating special events based on the date: Enliven Your Homeschool with Some Calendar Fun. It’ll be Groundhog Day on February 2, and that’s a perfect holiday for adding some fun activities to your classroom or homeschool.

Kids’ Groundhog Day Activities Pinterest Board

Pinterest - Kids' Groundhog Day Activities

I have a Kids’ Groundhog Day Activities Pinterest Board filled with activities of all types for a number of ages and levels. Plan a Groundhog Day celebration, or just add an activity your students or child would enjoy. If you have a homeschool, your child can even help you pick out the activity or activities.

Montessori-Inspired Groundhog Day

Since Groundhog Day is typically only celebrated for one day, it might seem like too much work to create a special activity tray for a preschooler. For a one-day homeschool event, I recommend keeping things simple unless you’d enjoy planning a more elaborate event. And you may always keep an activity out longer than one day if you wish, especially if your child enjoys the activity.

If you’re creating a hands-on activity tray using a printable, you could just use thick, glossy photo paper rather than laminating the activity. If there won’t be a tremendous amount of use, it saves the time and expense of lamination. After Groundhog’s Day, you can save the activity for another year when you might find a way to extend the activity for a higher level if needed.

Have fun! :)
Linked with The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co. and Thrifty Thursday

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Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Valentine’s Day Activities

Heart Pin Punching (Photo from Leptir)

Heart Pin Punching (Photo from Leptir)

It’s time to prepare some Montessori-inspired Valentine’s Day activities! Fortunately, there are already lots of 2012 Valentine’s Day resources available. Here I’ll be listing posts from 2012 (and from 2011 after my last year’s post was published). I’m adding to this post throughout the season.

Montessori-Inspired Valentine’s Day Printables

Valentine's Day Cards and Booklet (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Valentine's Day Cards and Booklet (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Montessori Print Shop has Valentine’s Day materials available for purchase.

My Heart Counting Book 1-10 (Image from Montessori Workjobs)

My Heart Counting Book 1-10 (Image from Montessori Workjobs)

Montessori Workjobs has a free 1-10 Valentine Heart Counting Book.

Montessori-Inspired Activities

I had a post from last year with lots of helpful resources: Activity of the Week – Montessori-Inspired Valentine’s Day Activities.

Last week’s Montessori-Inspired Kindness post has some activities that work well for Valentine’s Day.

Bead-and-Pipe-Cleaner Addition Activity

Bead-and-Pipe-Cleaner Addition Activity

I have Montessori-Inspired Bead-and-Pipe-Cleaner Valentine Math Activities.

Montessori-Inspired Valentine's Day Math Activity (Photo from Leptir)

Montessori-Inspired Valentine's Day Math Activity (Photo from Leptir)

Leptir has Valentine’s Day Activities (4 – Photo at the top of this post) and Valentine’s Day Activities (5).

Valentine's Day Sensory Bin (Photo from 1+1+1=1)

Valentine's Day Sensory Bin (Photo from 1+1+1=1)

1+1+1=1 has a Valentine’s Day sensory bin along with printables that can be made into hands-on activity trays. There’s also a link in the post to heart-themed tot trays.

The Iowa Farmer’s Wife has a Valentine’s Day sensory bucket.

Valentine's Day Water Bead Transfer (Photo from Jada Roo Can Do)

Valentine's Day Water Bead Transfer (Photo from Jada Roo Can Do)

Jada Roo Can Do has water bead sensory play and transfer.

Adventures in Family has Montessori-inspired Valentine’s trays.

Valentine's Day Writing Activity (Photo from Barefoot in Suburbia)

Valentine's Day Writing Activity (Photo from Barefoot in Suburbia)

Mama of Many Blessings has Valentine’s Day activity trays and practical life.

About a Girl has Lovehearts Art.

Mama to 4 Blessings has a post with Valentine’s activities and crafts, including a special activity with heart-shaped chocolate boxes.

Barefoot in Suburbia has a number of Valentine’s Day activities, including Valentine’s Day handwriting work.

The Preschool Experiment has a number of Valentine’s Day activity trays and a Valentine’s Day sensory bin.

Kids’ Valentine’s Day Activities Pinterest Board

Pinterest - Kids' Valentine's Day Activities

I have a Kids’ Valentine’s Day Pinterest board with lots of Valentine’s Day crafts and activities. They aren’t necessary Montessori-inspired activities, although many can be turned into hands-on activity trays.

Are you planning any Montessori-inspired Valentine’s Day activities?

Montessori Monday Link-Up

Montessori MondayIf you have some Montessori activity trays/lessons to share, please link up below. It’s fine to link up a post from your archives – and you may link up anytime during the week! Please place the Montessori Monday button (using the code from the right sidebar) in your post or put a link back to this post.

Thanks for participating! (Note: If you have a giveaway on your blog, please add it to my Family-Friendly Giveaway Linky Page!)

Linked to AfterSchool Linky Party, Pinterest Tuesday, The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co. , What’s on the Tray Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, Living Life Intentionally Linky Party, Preschool Corner, Fun Stuff Fridays, Show-and-Share Saturday, Link & Learn, and The Sunday Showcase at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas and Classified: Mom.  

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Montessori-Inspired Art Appreciation

Study of Claude Monet (Photo by Julie at The Adventures of Bear)

Study of Claude Monet (Photo by Julie at The Adventures of Bear)

Even though I’m definitely drawing/painting-challenged, art appreciation is one of my favorite subjects to teach. Montessori education has wonderful ideas and resources for helping children develop an appreciation of art from the earliest age.

Montessori principles encourage parents to expose children to fine art from birth on. Dr. Montessori wanted parents and teachers to provide famous artists’ works hung at eye level for the child to learn a natural appreciation of art. A Montessori home or classroom is specially prepared to bring order and beauty into the child’s environment as well as give opportunities for children to enjoy their own individual art expression.

Montessori Ideas on Art Appreciation

Montessori Philosophy and Practice: 1-3 years – Art from Michael Olaf

Montessori Philosophy and Practice: Age 3-6+ years – Art from Michael Olaf

Art and Montessori from Birth to Age 12 from Michael Olaf

Why Should Children Study Art? from Montessori for Everyone

Studying Artists and Their Works in the Montessori Classroom from North American Montessori Center

Montessori Art from Muddle Puddle Home Education

Montessori Mama on Making and Teaching Art at The Artful Parent

Celma Perry on “Art Appreciation in the Montessori Early Childhood Classroom”

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Montessori Art Appreciation Materials

Free artist cards from Montessori Materials

Free Montessori Art Cards For Homeschoolers from That Resource Site

Child-Size Masterpieces by Aline D. Wolf (available for purchase … the art appreciation materials I used in my Montessori school and my family used and loved)

“Child-Size Masterpieces for Art Appreciation”

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Emotions in Art Lessons (Photo from Montessori Workjobs)

Emotions in Art Lessons (Photo from Montessori Workjobs)

Montessori Art Appreciation (free emotions in art cards) from Montessori Workjobs

Michelangelo Art Book (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Michelangelo Art Book (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Artist Cards (available for purchase) from Montessori Print Shop

Artist Cards (available for purchase) from Montessori for Everyone

Art Appreciation Materials (available for purchase) from Montessori Services

Free Downloads: Montessori Art Cards and Art Appreciation from Affordable Montessori Homeschool Resources and Free Downloads

World’s Greatest Artists Unit Study (free printable) from Confessions of a Homeschooler (great printable that would be very useful in an art appreciation unit)

Essential Materials for the Montessori Art Curriculum by Andrea Coventry at Yahoo Voices and Touch the Art Board Books Article by Andrea Coventry at Children’s Books @ Suite 101

Montessori-Inspired Art Appreciation Activities

A Montessori Approach to Homeschool Art (what my family did)

Art Appreciation Posts from The Adventures of Bear (Photo at the top of this post from Artists and Art – Claude Monet)

Art Appreciation at Home (Photo from The Montessori Child at Home)

Art Appreciation at Home (Photo from The Montessori Child at Home)

Art at Home from The Montessori Child at Home

Project Montessori at Home: Displaying Art from Carrots Are Orange

Toddler Art Appreciation from Little Red Farm

John James Audubon, Astronomy: Van Gogh, Mozart & Mother Goose, Children’s Art Gallery, and A. A. Milne: Winnie the Pooh from Pirate Ships and Sealing Wax

Picasso Study (Photo from Living Life Intentionally)

Picasso Study (Photo from Living Life Intentionally)

Picasso and Famous Artist: Monet from Living Life Intentionally

Artist Posts from Little Acorns

Cubism (Photo from United Montessori Association)

Cubism (Photo from United Montessori Association)

Art: Cubism to Quilt from United Montessori Association

Artist Baskets from Montessori Mama

Art Appreciation in a Montessori Classroom from Montessori Plus School

Montessori Art History Lessons from American Montessori Consulting

Have you prepared an environment and/or activities for teaching art appreciation?

Linked to AfterSchool Linky Party, Living Life Intentionally Linky Party, Pinterest Tuesday, The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co. , Thrifty Thursday, Preschool Corner, Show-and-Share Saturday, Link & Learn, and The Sunday Showcase at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas and Classified: Mom.

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