Always loving. Always learning.

Continents, Continents, and More Continents!

Note: The globe on the right is textured with sandpaper
for a sensorial learning experience.

We even learned a song, naming the Continents, which goes:

North America,

South America,

Africa,

Europe,

and Asia,

Don't forget Australia,

Don't forget Antarctica!

We've been utilizing the Montessori map puzzle to work on an activity we call "The Continents Book". This "work"has been extended over the past couple of months, and has employed an already great learning tool and has taken it to more levels of "learning by doing".

The process begins by choosing a continent puzzle piece and tracing it's outline onto a piece of paper of the same color. Then, with a push pin, the children poke holes along the traced continental border. This takes tremendous amounts of focus and concentration. Holding onto the small pin is also developing the "pincer grip", strengthening the hand muscles in preparation to hold a pencil.

Once the outline of the continent is completely smothered in holes, it can be ripped away from the rest of the paper. The children then have the task of gluing the continent onto the correct page of their very own book. With a teachers help, the continent is labeled, increasing the child's vocabulary with the purposeful strokes.

This activity is quite frankly a lot of work. Sometimes completing just one continent wears the child out, while other days, the child gains momentum and completes 2 to 3 in one sitting. Overall we have found great success in this activity, with all ages. The students are proud of what they are accomplishing and I am ecstatic the children are examining the shapes of the continents, while at the same time, preparing the body and mind to write.

Felt Continent Map with Animals

The "felt map", which we keep on the classroom wall, is another fun way to explore the continents and the animals of the world. Referencing a guide, the children maneuver the fabric animal pieces onto the correct continent or ocean area. This work has been completed both by an individual and with group effort, so it very versatile. I would be happy just having it displayed on the wall. But that would be a shame, because look at how much learning can be had with a simple felt map!

We are Hard-Working and Willing to Take on a 200 Piece Puzzle!

It was a great time to introduce a more challenging puzzle to the class, and when I came across this one in the store, with continents and also animals (like the felt map), I just couldn't resist. The pieces are small so the children really have to look closely at the borders, expanding their knowledge of the earth. Although it is still a work in progress, it has been a wonderful addition to our geography and science materials. On two different occasions, we've assembled about half of the puzzle, but because we are trained to leave materials how we found them (ready for the next student), both times it was taken apart. When we configure all 200 pieces, I assure you we will have some kind of celebration! This gives us all something to work towards and look forward to!