Tools of the Montessori Teacher

As the time to welcome my new students rolls ever closer I've rediscovered a great tool at home. Meet my favorite appliance (is it an appliance?)-

THE WONDERFUL SERGER!!!!

This old machine was a generous present from my grandmother and oh has it come in handy making classroom materials. There are so many things in the Montessori classroom that are better when they are handmade. I've made over 100 small drying cloths with this thing, as well as some random fabric pouches and other items.

The last few nights I've been working on making some hand towels for the children. Even a washcloth is really too large to be used for drying ones hands when one is only 3 years old. So with the help of this nifty machine I cut them all in half. Plus it's always nice to double the quantity for free- and even better to quadruple it when cutting down regular hand towels. At least it makes ME feels like I'm being thrifty.

I'm really hoping these items last for quite a few years. Unfortunately they are going to have to put up with the abuse of being used on a nearly daily basis as well as being washed on the same schedule. But if not I'll hopefully be able to make some replacements just as easily. That is if I can figure out why that wonderful serger suddenly started cutting its own thread....maybe it's just tired from overuse? Maybe? *Fingers crossed*

Finishing Touches

New student orientation is less than one week away and my classroom is finally coming together. Though there is still plenty more to do (including some things I know won't be done in time for the start of the school year), I'm beginning to feel that the room is ready to welcome the newest children at our school.

Most of the first couple of weeks will be spent getting the children used to completing a cycle of activity (including taking out a work, using it properly, then returning it to the shelf for the next person). I'm also going to be doing a lot of grace and courtesy lessons, such as how to roll a mat, how to move a chair, etc. Oh, and how to wash your hands at the sink. That's probably one of the more important lessons! Actually, the fact that I know how a set of completed hand towels for my students to use may be what has finally made my room feel more complete. If nothing else they will be able to wash their hands!

Washcloths magically sewn in to hand drying towels.
I can now sleep knowing I can teach the children how to wash their hands!