Montessori Learning Materials: Our Learning Tools

Many materials are compatible between materials. For example, some of the sensory materials above are related to math. Other math manipulatives include:

1. Golden beads – beads that help students become familiar with the decimal system provide a concrete representation of the hierarchical ordering of numbers.
2. Rosary – This is the preparation for multiplication. The numbers 1 to 9 have a multiple identity sequence.
3. Checkerboard – This board is used for long and short multiplications in accordance with the hierarchy of the decimal system.
4. Rack & Tubes – Developed from Dr. Montessori’s experience as a physician, it is sometimes called the “Test Tube Rack” and helps teach long division.
5. Binomial cube – This is a concrete representation of the algebraic equation (a+b)3 and the factors of the equation are represented as cubes and prisms. When first introduced to this material, many parents often say: “If only their children learned algebra that way!

Materials used to directly teach a concept. Students focus deeply on the concepts they are learning. Indirectly, the brain is also stimulated by the senses and therefore Montessori materials attract more parts of the brain, helping students understand and remember information more easily.

Unlock your passion for education and shape young minds as a Montessori teacher!

English and Language Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are also easily used to support language and social studies. Below we see five more Montessori materials that are simply designed but highly effective.

1. Sandpaper Letters – Helps recognize writing direction very accurately.
2. Metal Inserts – This material enhances pincer grip and wrist movement to refine writing, and it also aids in lightness of touch and uniformity of pressure when drawing.
3. The Farm – This resource introduces nouns, articles, adjectives and verbs for deeper grammar teaching.
4. Sentence Analysis Chart – This document shows the parts of a sentence, including subject, predicate, and direct object. Circles and arrows are objects that guide sentence analysis.
5. Grammar Boxes – These activities help students analyze grammar and develop expository reading abilities.

Geography/History/Science Montessori Materials

Below we can see some of the materials that were made to teach these subjects.

• Land and Water Shapes – These shapes are specifically designed to teach children about geography, topography and earth science by working with the senses.
• PuzzleMaps – Puzzle maps are used to teach geography, world culture, and history. They show the shape and size of different countries and continents, as well as their location relative to other countries and regions. Puzzle cards also help children develop visual discrimination skills, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness as well as names of countries, borders, capitals.
• MontessoriTimeline – They are used to learn about the order and sequence of historical events, as well as to develop an understanding of changes over time. Timelines help students visualize the relationships between different historical events and periods, and understand how people fit into the bigger historical picture.
• MontessoriStories – This is a series of five epic stories that encourage children to think and understand the interconnectedness of all living things and the universe, while supporting an integrated curriculum.
• Atom Quiz – This allows students to see the structure of the atom realistically and understand how electrons, protons, and neutrons are arranged in different atoms.

The Arts

Montessori cultural materials, such as geography and history materials, can also be used to teach children the arts of different cultures. For example, children can learn about music, dance, food and visual arts, then create their own works of art related to these cultures. Children can explore different ways to move their bodies and express themselves through dance and movement, increasing their creativity, fine motor skills and appreciation of art. By providing an experiential and hands-on learning environment, Montessori classrooms can help children develop a lifelong love of the arts.

Arts include the following:

• 3-Part Card – 3-Part Montessori Card can be used to teach children about a variety of topics, from animals and plants to geography, culture and art. Using 3-part cards, children can explore the world around them in a practical and engaging way, using labels, images and text related to the topic.
• Artist Studies – As children progress in their art studies, they have the opportunity to focus more deeply on the work of specific artists. They can learn about each artist’s life and work and can be encouraged to analyze and interpret their work. At CMS, students have the opportunity to create artwork inspired by the work of the artists they study. Below we see students in class 3A testing out a piece inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s “The Erase Room.
• Arts Gala – To experience a live arts event, including art creation, event planning, ticket sales and invitations, our 3rd grade students host an annual Arts Gala inviting Parents and community members attend.
• Role Play – In Montessori, role play serves a specific purpose for young children in learning the rules of the classroom (grace and politeness). Children have the opportunity to engage in imaginative play and play out different roles and scenarios. This type of play helps children develop important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and communication.
• Media Arts – Experimentation with modern media is also encouraged at CMS and students have the opportunity to create their own films, photographs and digital media projects. They may have the opportunity to work with different types of equipment and software and may be encouraged to explore different styles and approaches to media arts.

How Do Montessori Materials Work?

• Hands-on learning

Montessori materials are a hands-on learning tool that guides children to discover important learning outcomes through repetition and practice. Each resource breaks down an important concept into simple steps that children can master through hands-on exploration. This aspect makes Montessori materials especially effective because it involves the hands as well as the mind in every learning experience.

• Control of Error

Montessori materials are designed with built-in “error control” as a matter of course. This quality allows children to see their mistakes and discover their learning independently through repetition and practice.
For example, the button post is not inserted into the wrong hole, water may spill on the table, or there are too many/too few objects at the end of the counting activity.

• Order of progression

In the Montessori classroom, Montessori materials are arranged within the curriculum and are displayed from left to right in order of progression, from easiest to most difficult. This logical sequence provides children with a clear learning path as they progress through the Montessori curriculum.

• Fine motor skills

Montessori materials encourage purposeful movement and exploration. This manipulative quality makes them very useful for developing fine motor skills. These skills are essential parts of a balanced approach to early childhood education. This is because they encourage independence and concentration and prepare children for real life.

• One Skill at a Time

Montessori materials teach only one skill or concept at a time. This allows children to engage deeply with the material while exploring, practicing, and mastering learning outcomes at their own pace. Each material is developed within the context of all the others to gradually develop children’s knowledge and skills in each area.

• Auto Instructional

Montessori materials are designed to be used without adult assistance. This helps children discover and master the learning outcomes of each subject through repetition and independent practice.

Unlock your passion for education and shape young minds as a Montessori teacher!

Montessori education materials have the following benefits:

• It provides hands-on learning
• Improves social interaction
• Provides a better learning environment
• It develops soft skills
• It provides independence

This education system allows children to participate Participate in activities, lessons and experiences. This expands their knowledge and helps them grow as individuals. All of this gives students the opportunity to develop their ability to concentrate.

Enhance social interaction

Most Montessori classrooms are integrated with the goal of developing peer groups. This allows children to

• learn from each other,
• talk to each other
• improve life skills such as acceptance and integration.

Learning Environments

Working with older children helps younger children improve their social, communication, leadership and emotional skills. This method is also beneficial for children of all ages.

Soft skills

Several studies have shown that Montessori kindergarten students have better soft skills than other children of the same age. They demonstrate better behavior and are more willing to cooperate and interact with other children.

Independence

Montessori education instills a sense of confidence and creativity. It promotes students’ knowledge and skills such as self-confidence, freedom and confidence in their abilities. Montessori education teaches students the ability to manage and think freely.