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 own several products from Montessori Services, and love everything. I love their Language Objects collections for phonetic work. I have been eying their Timeline of Life, and other evolution related materials for a long time!
My grandson has recently become interested in magnets, and I know he would like this.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have 2 boys (4.5 and 2.5), who quite often get into each others work areas. The Montessori rugs would be perfect way to clearly separate the 2 work areas! And the magnetc/non-magnetic activity is something both my kids can do at the same time and learn!
And the Calypso steel drum at Montessori Services – I love it!
I love the rug and magnet set.
My three year old is just getting started in the Mont. way and these would be a starter.
I would love the chance to start floor activities with the rugs. I have been a Montessorian for over 30 years and appreciate the methodology. Unfortunately the school’s budget does not allow for these items.
This would be a great addition for my two girls. Magnetism is in my curriculum this year and the rugs look much softer and easier to use than the ones we currently own. Thanks for the opportunity!
My son would love exploring with the magnets!
These would be absolutely fantastic for learning and enjoyment! They’re a great idea, and we’re just about to start learning about magnets-great timing!
I really like their Five Slot Puzzle Cabinet – great storage solution.
I want everything on the website 🙂 The Start-Up Practical Life Extensions and Variations set would be perfect.
I work in curriculum development, and preview a lot of activities with small groups of children. The mats would be absolutely perfect for setting up our activities on. The magnets would be a wonderful way to introduce the concept in a controlled, Montessori inspired way.
I like the Crayon Rocks at Montessori Services. They would be a great tool for my 4-year-old daughter with Down syndrome.
Looks great-this would be fun for the boys
I would like to win the rug set and magnetic activity for my youngest (4-year-old) daughter who has Down syndrome. We homeschool and I want to use Montessori materials with her.
Love the moonjar bank options
The rug set would be a great addition at our home for Montessori work and helping my kids respect each others space. I always love how the rug defines the workspace in the Montessori classroom. It not only keeps others from disturbing another work, it also creates a natural boundary and helps with organization of work.
This looks so great! I do not have an opportunity to use something like this now, but I am happy for the winner! Carolyn
I like the mini colander set to help in the kitchen!
I have two 4-year olds in preschool so I’d love to give these a shot!