It’s time to prepare for back to school or back to homeschool (NOT back to school)! I’m excited to tell you about some fabulous Montessori Services materials … their large hemmed rug, small hemmed rug, and magnetic/non-magnetic activity!
Disclosure: I received the materials in this post from Montessori Services in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and any opinions expressed are my own. This post contains Montessori Services affiliate links (at no cost to you).
You’ll see my reviews of Montessori Services practical life activities and puncher pack in earlier reviews and giveaways. You’ll find LOTS of wonderful materials through Montessori Services whether you’re a classroom teacher or homeschooler. Parents using Montessori principles at home will also find much to offer through Montessori Services or its partner site, For Small Hands, which specializes in child-size tools and materials for families.
Montessori Services Rugs
Large Hemmed Work Rug in Natural/Off-White (Photo from Montessori Services)
Small Hemmed Work Rug in Blue (Photo from Montessori Services)
I always loved the Montessori Services rugs. I used them for eight years in my Montessori school and then in my homeschool. They lasted well through both. The rugs were recently improved. They’re now hemmed instead of with fringes that could fray or get knotted.
The rugs are machine washable. I always had great luck with washing my rugs, and they still looked clean at the end of my homeschooling. The rugs also lay flat and roll up easily. I like that they’re a solid color that doesn’t clash with or take away from the materials being used.
If you haven’t used Montessori work rugs before, I highly recommend them. They’re traditional materials in Montessori schools, and they add a lot to homeschools as well. Rolling a rug is a great activity in itself. It helps develop both coordination and concentration.
And placing work on a rug on the floor identifies a child’s workspace. This is especially helpful in schools and in homes with siblings. In a school or home, rugs can help children learn to respect each other’s work when children are taught to avoid stepping on another child’s rug and to avoid disturbing another child’s work. The rug makes the concept of personal space concrete.
This giveaway includes both the large hemmed work rug in natural/off-white (Item #X552W; 42″ x 28″; $14.50) and the small hemmed work rug in blue (Item #X550B; 36″ x 24″; $11.50).
Olympic Medals Math and Geography Activity (Numbers from the 2008 Summer Olympics) on Montessori Services Small Hemmed Work Rug. Only the rug is part of the giveaway.
The above photo is from an activity that was part of my monthly post at PreK + K Sharing: Montessori-Inspired Olympic Math Activities. I tested out the small blue work rug, which provides a flat surface and is a good size for most layouts. It worked perfectly with my activity. Note: The Olympic activity on the rug isn’t part of the giveaway.
Magnetic/Non-Magnetic Activity
Magnetic/Non-Magnetic Activity (Photo from Montessori Services)
In addition to the large and small work rugs, the giveaway includes the Montessori Services magnetic/non-magnetic activity (Item #SC205; $22.00). Magnetic/non-magnetic activities are an important part of the primary (preschool) curriculum, and they’re typically very popular with preschoolers. This set has small objects and is recommended for ages 4 and up.
The magnetic/non-magnetic activity includes:
- 9 Magnetic Items
- 9 Non-Magnetic Items
- Economy Tray (T200) ($2.50)
- Plastic Box (B108) ($1.25)
- Horseshoe Magnet (SC951) ($7.50)
- Plastic Box (B104) ($0.85)
- Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Labels
- Presentation and Extension Suggestions
I really like the Alnico horseshoe magnet that’s included with the set. It has an especially strong magnetic field and would work well for a variety of activities exploring magnets … as well as for “fishing” games you can prepare to reinforce colors, shapes, letters, or numbers.
The magnetic/non-magnetic activity can be set up in just a few minutes. I learned that the labels are made with a special new material that doesn’t need to be laminated! You can bend the material and get it wet. It’s supposed to stand up as well or better than laminated paper would … amazing!
Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Activity on a Large Off-White Work Rug
If you prefer to prepare your own magnetic/non-magnetic activity rather than purchasing the set (if you don’t win it), you can purchase most of the parts separately from Montessori Services. I’ve added links to the individual parts. The horseshoe magnet is great, and I find Montessori Services trays and boxes useful for activities of all kinds.
I’ve seen magnetic/non-magnetic activities prepared in a number of different formats in Montessori schools and Montessori manuals. Some teachers have the child test and sort the materials on the tray itself. Both sizes of Montessori Services work rugs are also great for laying out the materials on the floor. The photo on the off-white rug shows one way the activity could be laid out.
Disclosure: I received a large hemmed work rug, small hemmed work rug, and magnetic/non-magnetic activity in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and any opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Now for the Giveaway: The giveaway is now closed.
What You Will Win: 1 lucky winner in the U.S. or Canada will win the Montessori Services large natural-colored hemmed work rug, small blue hemmed work rug, and magnetic/nonmagnetic activity (Total ARV $48)!
Who is Eligible:
This giveaway is open to anyone 18 and older in the U.S. and Canada. The first entry is mandatory. You must leave a blog post comment telling why you want to win the rugs and magnetic/non-magnetic activity (and be sure to click the green “ENTER” on the Rafflecopter form to let me know you left your blog post comment and to open up the optional entries)! After you’ve completed your mandatory entry, there are lots of optional entries. You have many chances to win! (Note: For the extra entries, you may count ways of following that you already do. For example, if you previously “liked” Living Montessori Now on Facebook, you may still count that for your “like” Living Montessori Now on Facebook entry!)
It’s easy to enter giveaways with Rafflecopter! Just follow the directions to enter.If you still have questions about the Rafflecopter form, here’s a 52-second video with quick directions for entering through Rafflecopter.
You must complete the Mandatory Entry to qualify for any additional entries. The giveaway closes 10:01pm MST on Thursday, July 26. Best of luck! 
UPDATE:
It’s Friday morning, July 27. I enjoyed reading all your comments and really appreciated the 854 entries! A winner has been selected using Random.org through Rafflecopter!
The winner of the Montessori Services large natural-colored hemmed work rug, small blue hemmed work rug, and magnetic/nonmagnetic activity (Total ARV $48) is Billie R.P.!
I’m very happy for Billie, who had multiple entries! (Note: Billie, you have 48 hours to respond to my email, or a new winner will be chosen.)
The comment for Billie’s mandatory entry (why she wanted to win) said:
“I have two young children 15 months and 2 and a half. I am building my classroom and this would be a fantastic addition!”
CONGRATULATIONS, Billie!!! MANY THANKS to Montessori Services for sponsoring the giveaway – and thank you to everyone who entered!
As always, thanks so much to all my blog sponsors!
Montessori Print Shop Montessori Compass Total Yearbooks Montessori at Home Maestro Classics
I will have 2 sons “doing” home school this year and the concept of personal space will certainly come up. I think these rugs are just what we need. As fo the magnet activity, I had already planned to study magnets this year!
These rugs are great. The hem is so subtle that it does not have a front or back. Magnet works are always fun for children.
Everything I’ve gotten in the past from Mostessori Services has always been terrific and their customer service is fabulous. they’ve even answered Montessori questions I’ve had which weren’t necessarily linked to a purchase. The magnetic/non-magnetic kit will be perfect for my 4 y.o.
These rugs are fabulous and the children love the magnet work!
Hi, thanks for the opportunity to win this Giveaway! I would love to win the magnetic/non-magnetic activity for the children of my preschool class.
i like the
Bones
Skeletons and How They Work book
I love these I’m just starting out in Montessori, so those rugs would be perfect for my collection of materials
Also as a former 4th grade science teacher, magnetic materials were among my favorite exploration materials! Cool giveaway! Thanks so much! I’ve been loving your weekly emails!
Iam teach my daughter at home and my son. My son is impaired and this will help them in learning
I would love to add this to our montessori home school materials as we are just starting out!
I want everything. But I really like Earth From Space Floor Mat
I think this would be great to keep my 2 boys separated while working.
I love the singing bowls
Hi, I have been recently looking at a magnetic board from Lakeshore learning where the materials are sealed behind a plexi glass. This material looks so much better (and cooler) because the kids can touch and feel the magnetic items. It would be great to get this for my sons (4 and 2 1/2)!
Sherry.
I am a Montessori teacher but I would like this for home. My youngest will be ready for this work soon and he would love it.
Thanks for the giveaway! My daughter would love the Montessori rugs. It’s hard to find nice solid colored rugs unless you buy directly from a Montessori supplier, which I still haven’t done. The magnetic/non-magnetic activity is super cute and perfectly sized for small hands and big imaginations 🙂
Love your info! I’d like to win the rug to use with my granddaughters.
I love Montessori Services Products!
I would LOVE to have the boards of education. I can see so many benefits for my K students, and they would LOVE them!
I am a K teacher in a public school, trying to incorporate as much of the Montessori method and materials as possible. I actually have all three of these items marked in the Montessori Services catalog on my wishlist!
I love the Judy Clock and think it would do wonders with helping my daughter learn how to tell time.