Winter is the perfect time to slow down, get cozy, and enjoy creative indoor activities. These winter coloring pages celebrate the beauty of the season — from playful outdoor adventures and snowy animals to cheerful snowmen and peaceful winter villages. Each set of printable coloring sheets features simple, child-friendly designs that are easy to color […]
Pumpkin Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables- Cute and Realistic)
Pumpkin coloring pages are a simple way to add seasonal fun to the classroom or home. These free printables are easy for children to use with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. The set includes 18 different designs, from pumpkin patches and farm stands to jack-o’-lanterns and fall harvest scenes. Each page has bold outlines and […]
Montessori, Social Justice, and Ayn Rand: Philosophical Tensions in Education
Maria Montessori’s name is invoked across a wide ideological spectrum. To some, she is a pioneer of child-led learning and peaceful social reform. To others, she represents a champion of individual liberty and self-mastery. Over the years, a number of libertarian and Objectivist thinkers have embraced and championed Montessori as a model of educational freedom, […]
Free Printable: May Idea Book
The May Idea Book provides a collection of Montessori-aligned activities to help you bring the season into your classroom. It’s like a photo album of ideas, offering practical and engaging ways to introduce sorting, phonological awareness, early math, and more. This resource includes ideas for practical life, language, and cultural lessons that are easy to […]
Free Printable: April Idea Book
The April Idea Book provides a collection of Montessori-aligned activities to help you bring the season into your classroom. It’s like a photo album of ideas, offering practical and engaging ways to introduce sorting, phonological awareness, early math, and more. This resource includes ideas for practical life, language, and cultural lessons that are easy to […]
Free Printable: March Idea Book
The March Seasonal Idea Book is ready! This resource includes ideas for your classroom that are easy to implement and designed to complement your existing Montessori materials. Whether you’re looking to add variety to your routine or bring in some seasonal inspiration, the activities in this book offer simple yet meaningful options. All materials featured here […]
List of Things That Are Green
This guide is a resource for teaching vocabulary by exploring things that are green. Green is closely tied to nature, growth, and freshness. It’s all around us in plants, animals, foods, and even gemstones, symbolizing life and energy. It can also mean luck and balance, making it a special color in art, design, and daily […]
Free Printable: December Idea Book
The December Idea Book provides a collection of Montessori-aligned activities to help you bring the season into your classroom. It’s like a photo album of ideas, offering practical and engaging ways to introduce sorting, phonological awareness, early math, and more. This resource includes ideas for practical life, language, and cultural lessons that are easy to […]
Montessori Schools Affected by Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction across the Southeast, with many communities reeling from the damage, including several Montessori schools. These schools, which serve as important centers of learning and support for children and families, are now struggling to rebuild. Classrooms were flooded, educational materials destroyed, and families displaced, making it a critical […]
List of Christmas Words
Whether you’re integrating festive themes into lessons, creating holiday-themed activities, or simply spreading some classroom cheer, words can be a powerful tool to engage young learners. The vocabulary of Christmas offers an opportunity to explore new language, share traditions, and add a festive touch to classroom learning. In this post, you’ll find an organized list […]
What are Invertebrates?
Did you know that some animals don’t have a backbone? A backbone is a line of bones that runs down our back and helps us stand up tall and strong. But not all animals need one! The animals that don’t have a backbone are called invertebrates. Invertebrates can be very small, like tiny beetles, or […]
How to Support Teachers: Insights from the Community
Supporting Montessori teachers effectively is essential for fostering a thriving educational environment. Teachers play a critical role in shaping the minds and hearts of their students, and their well-being directly impacts their ability to perform this role effectively. However, support for teachers goes beyond merely providing resources; it encompasses emotional, logistical, and professional aspects. To […]
Preschool Themes for June
Looking for preschool themes for June? From ice cream to sunshine to treasures found on the beach, June is a fantastic month to engage preschoolers with themes that celebrate both the arrival of summer and special events. Whether you’re in school year round or just looking for fun themes to keep your preschoolers engaged this […]
Preschool Themes for Fall
Looking for preschool themes for fall? As the leaves begin to change and the air becomes crisp, fall presents a bounty of opportunities to explore new topics that are both educational and entertaining for young minds. This season is an excellent time to engage children with the natural world through sensory-rich experiences and exciting discoveries. […]
Farm Animals: Preschool Activities and Facts
Farm animals provide an engaging and educational topic for preschool students. By learning about the different creatures found on farms and ranches, children can build language skills, understand biology concepts, practice counting and sorting, and much more. Scroll down for more farm theme preschool activity ideas. This blog post will introduce some of the most […]
Preschool Themes for Summer
Looking for preschool themes for Summer? From celebrating the summer solstice and planting gardens to exploring the ocean and more, these themes provide opportunities for hands-on fun for your young learners. Explore the Season: Preschool Themes for Summer Summer Solstice Transportation Ice Cream Gardens and Forests: Preschool Themes for Summer Camping Fungi and Mushrooms Planting […]
May Themes for Preschool
Looking for May themes for preschool? May is a great month for exploring new themes and topics related to spring with your preschoolers. With warmer weather and longer days, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors and learn about the plants and animals that come to life during this season. You can plan […]
Montessori Behavior Management
In Montessori education, behavior management empowers children to self-regulate within a prepared environment. The prepared adult guides rather than enforces, fostering a classroom atmosphere where children learn to make positive choices and develop crucial social-emotional skills. This approach minimizes conflicts and encourages a peaceful, cooperative environment, helping children build the foundations for respectful and empathetic interactions.
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Classroom Administration: Behind the Scenes
Effective Montessori classroom administration harmonizes the prepared environment with the prepared adult. This approach ensures that the physical space and the educator’s role complement each other, supporting children’s independence and growth. From classroom setup and maintaining records to fostering parent-teacher relations, these practices create a well-ordered and nurturing environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential.
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Montessori Practical Life Activities
Montessori ‘Practical Life’ activities focus on the care of the child’s own person (personal dressing and grooming), care of the environment (cleaning, caring for plants and pets, preparing food), development of fine and gross motor skills, and learning courteous behavior and conflict resolution. The Benefits of Practical Life Activities Independence, Confidence, and Self-Care The activities […]
Montessori Curriculum for Early Childhood
The Montessori curriculum nurtures a child’s natural curiosity and independence across areas like Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, and Cultural studies. In a prepared environment, the prepared adult facilitates hands-on, self-directed learning, encouraging exploration and mastery of foundational skills. This holistic approach supports both academic growth and the development of social-emotional skills, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning.
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Montessori Art
In this category, we’ll explore the role of art in Montessori education, offer suggestions and resources for setting up a successful art space in a Montessori environment, share a list of common art activities found in Montessori primary programs, and discuss strategies for addressing common challenges in Montessori art activities. Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian […]
Montessori and Preschool Themes
Below you’ll find our big list of preschool themes that work well with the cultural area of the Montessori classroom. You’ll find practical ideas for adding hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities to your environments. Themes Seasonal Themes for Preschool Autumn Themes Winter Themes Spring Themes Summer Themes Science Themes for Preschool Animals Plants & Fungi Ecology […]
Free Printable: February Idea Book
The February Seasonal Idea Book is ready! This resource includes ideas for your classroom that are easy to implement and designed to complement your existing Montessori materials. Whether you’re looking to add variety to your routine or bring in some seasonal inspiration, the activities in this book offer simple yet meaningful options. All materials featured here […]
Free Montessori Printables
Looking for our free Montessori printables? We’ve gathered them into this handy list! Use the links below to navigate to the information page for each of our printables. All of our printables are stored in the Free Resource Library. You will receive a password to access the library once you sign up (free). Want to […]
The 5 Components of Reading
There are five components of reading: vocabulary, phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, and fluency. History of the 5 Components of Reading Instruction Reading instruction in the United States has undergone a lot of changes over the years. In the 1980s and 90s, educators were divided on the best way to teach children to read. The “reading […]
The Scarborough Reading Rope in the Montessori Classroom
The Scarborough Reading Rope is a visual representation of the different strands that make up the process of reading, with the metaphor of a rope being used to demonstrate how all of these strands work together to create a strong, cohesive whole. It was created in the early 1990s by Dr. Hollis Scarborough, a literacy researcher, […]
Phonological Awareness vs Phonemic Awareness
Phonological awareness is about being able to hear and manipulate units of sound in spoken words, including syllables, onset, rime, and phonemes. Phonemic awareness is about being able to hear and manipulate the smallest unit of sound, a phoneme. Phonemic awareness is a part of phonological awareness, and they both focus on the sounds that […]
Big and Small Activities for Preschool
Understanding the concepts of “big” and “small” is a fundamental step in a child’s cognitive development. For teachers and parents looking for quick and easy ways to impart these ideas, here’s a list of engaging “big and small activities” that will not only educate but also entertain young learners. The Pink Tower & The Montessori […]
Managing Overwhelm and Burnout as a Teacher
Being a teacher is both a privilege and a challenge. We have the opportunity to shape the lives of young minds, but the demands of the job can also be relentless. If you’re feeling burned out, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll share some strategies that have helped me regain my energy and resilience […]
Plants of the Tundra: Adaptations, Pictures, and Facts
Plants in the tundra biome have to deal with some of the harshest conditions on Earth. With long, cold winters and short, intense summers, these plants have adapted in unique ways to survive. In this article, we’ll explore some of the fascinating adaptations that tundra plants have developed to thrive in this challenging environment. One […]
Animals of the Tundra: Adaptations, Images & Facts
The tundra biome is one of the harshest environments on Earth, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Despite the extreme conditions, many animals have adapted to survive in this unforgiving landscape. From polar bears to Arctic foxes, these animals have developed a range of physical and behavioral adaptations that allow them to […]
What are Biomes?
If you love exploring the great outdoors, you might have heard of the term “biome.” But what exactly are biomes? A biome is a big area of our planet where certain types of plants and animals live together because they like the same kind of climate. It’s a special area on Earth where everything fits […]
Types of Biomes
There are many different types of biomes, each with their own unique characteristics and inhabitants. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common biomes found around the world. What are Biomes? Biomes are large areas of land that share similar climate, vegetation, and animal life. One of the biggest factors that determines what […]
Christmas Words that Start with S
For teachers looking to incorporate Christmas-themed vocabulary into their lessons, here’s a list of Christmas words that start with the letter “S.” These words can help enrich students’ language skills while keeping the holiday spirit alive. Each word comes with a brief description and an example sentence suitable for elementary students. Here Is A List […]
Christmas Words that Start with R
The Christmas season is full of rich vocabulary that can help students learn new words and celebrate the holiday spirit. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of Christmas words that start with “R,” including their meanings and cultural origins, perfect for your classroom activities. Here Is A List Of Unique Christmas Words That Start […]
Christmas Words that Start with L
Introducing students to Christmas-themed vocabulary is a great way to enhance their language skills while embracing the festive spirit. The holiday season is a wonderful time to expand our vocabulary with festive words and these words can add a fun twist to your holiday lessons and activities. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of […]
Christmas Words that Start with Z
The holiday season is a wonderful time to expand our vocabulary with festive words. While we often hear about common Christmas words, there are some unique and interesting ones that start with the letter “Z.” These words can add a fun twist to your holiday lessons and activities. In this article, we’ll explore a variety […]
Celebrating 10 Years of Trillium!
Happy New Year, Everyone! Wow, it’s 2023! I wrote my first blog post on January 1, 2013. That does not feel like a decade ago! But a lot has happened during that time and I am so grateful to all of you for being part of this journey. Want to take a walk down memory lane with me? This […]
2022: A Look Behind the Scenes
My last newsletter of the year is usually a recap of the milestones of the past 12 months. While we’ve had an eventful year here at Trillium, I’d like to take this time to give you a behind the scenes look at my personal year and thank the people who made it possible. Many of […]
2021: Year in Review
Well here we are, at the end of another year. Are you ready to take stock of this year and step into the new one? Are you feeling optimistic about what lies ahead… or not so much? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be a good idea to pause and reflect on the past 12 […]
Why we opted NOT to make the P2P Summit free
Hello Everyone, We are really looking forward to sharing the expertise of this year’s P2P Summit speakers with you! I was going to start this email by saying that Tammy and I thought long and hard about whether to make this year’s Summit free. But that’s not true. This decision speaks to one of our […]
Behind the Scenes at Trillium: It Finally Happened
Y’all…. …I had to make some big decisions a couple of months ago. BIG. Like, the-future-of-Trillium big. Many of you have been following along on my Trillium journey for many years, some of you since way back in 2013 (love you!) You know that I closed my school in 2018 to live a semi-retired life […]
2020 Year In Review
It’s finally time to say goodbye to 2020. What a seismic year to live through. I have been so inspired and moved by the courage and determination I have seen in the Montessori community this year. You have rolled with the challenges of overhauling how you work with and educate children, closing schools and losing […]
Facing Racial Inequality: A Call for Courage
Sometimes being an educator takes courage. In order to show up as the guides our children need us to be, we have to find the strength to look at the things about ourselves and our environments that make us uncomfortable. The things that make us question what we’ve always taken for granted. The things that […]
Learning About Germs and Hygiene
Talking to young children about the concept of “germs” can be quite challenging! Preschoolers have a hard time conceptualizing things that they cannot experience through their senses. However, in this era when lives have been turned topsy turvy because of a global pandemic, the conversation about germs is difficult to put off! The Germs […]
How to Guide the Young Elementary Child
The youngest elementary children…the beginning of a new cycle. When the 6 or 7-year-old child enters into the elementary classroom, teachers sometimes struggle with understanding this newly emerging second plane child. When I was teaching and had the benefit of observing my students in their primary classroom environment before they transitioned into elementary, it was […]
Ramadan Activities for Preschool
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that the months follow the cycles of the moon. This also means that the months do not correspond to the western calendar months. Each year, Ramadan is approximately 11 days earlier than the year before. As the […]
Cosmic Nesting Dolls
“Let us give the children a vision of the universe.” Maria Montessori in To Educate the Human Potential. Update: The Cosmic Nesting Dolls in the video were originally available from Where Am I? but sadly it seems they are no longer making them. If you would like to try your hand at DIYing the […]
A Tour of Erin’s Montessori Classroom
I recently had the opportunity to visit my friend Erin Roberts in Asheville, NC. I’ve known Erin for about 14 years. We worked together at the Montessori School of Syracuse and she is one of the small handful of people I’ve met who seem to have been born with an intuitive understanding of Montessori. A […]
Montessori Resources for Learning About Birds
We always enjoy learning about birds! From eggs, to feathers, to nests, there is a lot to explore. One of our readers, Dagmar Brumovska shared this fantastic bird egg activity with us… including a free printable! You can find this printable in Dagmar’s brand new TpT store HERE. (While Dagmar’s egg printable makes a fun […]
Learning About Frogs and Amphibians
Did you know that amphibians are the only vertebrates capable of breathing through their skin? It’s true! In this blog post, we’ll share a variety of engaging resources for a lesson or unit study focused on frogs and amphibians. We’ve pulled together a range of books, crafts, printables, and hands-on activities perfect for students interested […]
Montessori Resources for Learning About Europe
Learning About Europe | Trillium Montessori These are some of the activities we’ve enjoyed while learning about Europe at my school. Europe Printable Packs | Trillium Montessori Shop Be sure to check out the Europe themed printables in my shop. Unit: Europe | Pinterest Find more learning ideas and resources on my Europe Pinterest Board […]
A Tour of Pine Cottage
I am delighted to feature Pine Cottage from the Montessori School of Syracuse (MSS) in our Classroom Showcase series this week! My Montessori spiritual roots lie at this school. This was the school where I first discovered Montessori. I found a job here as an assistant teacher right out of grad school. I then went for […]
Care of Self for Montessori Teachers
If you have Montessori training for the 0-6 year old levels, then you are familiar with the section in your Practical Life Album called “Care of Self”. This section covers all kinds of exercises to help young children learn to take care of themselves such as dressing, blowing their nose, preparing a snack for themselves, […]
Pumpkin Patch Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
We will be taking a field trip to the pumpkin patch in a couple of weeks. To prepare, our classroom is starting to fill up with “pumpkiny” activities. If you haven’t already downloaded my free October Seasonal Guide for the Classroom with pictures of our seasonal activities for the month, you can get all the details in the […]
Resources for Talking to Children About Race and Racism
We are living in pivotal times. Issues of race and racism are not new. Modern day America was created after a clash of epic proportions over this issue. A world war has been fought over this. Many of us thought that we, as a species, had put the worst behind us and were headed in […]
Learning About North America
Here are the contents of our North America unit studies box. You can read more about how we store our unit studies supplies here. Of course, it would be VERY un-Montessori of us to give the box as-is to our students! Ah, much better! Here are the materials displayed neatly on the shelves so the […]
Preschool Activities for a Camping Theme
If you’re planning to do a camping theme in your summer program this year, here are some shelf activities you can add to the classroom: Spooning little bees We had this Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game lying around and used it for a color matching and fine motor activity. A little setup for pond life Gluing little […]
Asia Preschool Printables
Do you have our Asia Preschool Pack? These printables can easily be added to your shelves during your study of Asia. Also be sure to check out our other posts about Asia! Learning About Asia: Introduction Learning About Asia: East Asia Learning About Asia: Middle East Learning About Asia: South Asia On the Art Shelf […]
Cooking in the Montessori Classroom
Food preparation and cooking are some of the most fun practical life activities in a Montessori environment! My personal preference is to create individualized food preparation activities that children can choose on their own, rather than group cooking activities that have to be done with a teacher. I want to show the children how to […]
Learning About Bees
Hands on activities for learning about bees in the preschool and Montessori classroom. When you’re working with preschoolers and young children, keep in mind that they need to have exposure to the real thing before working with abstract representations of it. This is particularly true for nature. Spend lots of time in nature. Get dirty, see […]
A Tour of Jennifer’s Montessori Language Shelves
Jennifer Nichols’ gave us a tour of the materials on her Montessori Language shelves in the Trillium Community Facebook group a few weeks ago and I am delighted to feature her photos on the blog today! Jennifer has a charming little Montessori school in her home, called Whole Child Montessori. Affiliate links are used in this […]
A Tour of Audrey’s Montessori Classroom
This week’s classroom showcase comes to you from Audrey Morrison of The Walden School in Pennsylvania. Audrey shared these photos with us in the Trillium {Community} Facebook group and graciously answered lots of questions! If you’re wondering about something you see on the shelves, you can find more details in this thread. (You will need […]
Spring Ideas for the Preschool Classroom
Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time for all sorts of nature studies with your preschoolers! Go outside and get your hands dirty as much as you can! Every week, the members of the Trillium {Community} Facebook group share photos of their shelves and activities in our weekly “Shelfie Saturday” share thread. […]
Simple Ways To Bring More Diversity Into Your Classroom Materials
If you’re reading this, I’ll assume you already care about diversity in your classroom. And that you put in a conscious effort to make sure you avoid enforcing stereotypes and cultivating an atmosphere of tolerance and respect in your classroom. “Peace” and “inclusion” are probably mainstays of your curriculum already. With that in mind, […]
A Pun for Father’s Day
Here’s an easy Father’s Day craft if you need to throw something together at the last minute! Even the preschoolers got a chuckle out of this one! “He’s cute!” “He looks nothing like my dad!” “I love his nose!” We talked about how this was a “pun”. “A pun is a kind of joke where […]
9 Keys to Writing Effective Progress Reports
I find it helpful to think of progress reports as just one of the components in my overall parent relations strategy. Building a strong connection with parents is an essential piece of running a successful classroom and school. Keeping this in mind, we can structure our progress reports in a way that meets our overall goals […]
Earth Day Preschool Activities
Here are some of the activities we have on our Montessori preschool shelves while we celebrate Earth Day! On the Art Shelf Cutting Strips This is a great activity for who children who are just beginning to learn how to hold scissors properly. (Source: Earth Day Preschool Pack ) Cutting Lines Cutting on the […]
Easter Preschool Activities
This week I’m honored to share with you some photos contributed by one of our long time readers, Dagmar Brumovska! She has a lot fun ideas that you can try on your preschool shelves for Easter. We also have photos of the printable cards included in the Trillium Montessori Easter Preschool Pack. Between the two, your […]
Free Printable: Penguin Life Cycle
We have a new free printable about the life cycle of a penguin on our subscriber page this week! Emperor penguins are one of the most fascinating and iconic birds in the world. Known for their striking black and white feathers and their incredible endurance, these penguins live in one of the harshest environments […]
Social Stories
I was introduced to the concept of Social Stories about 10 years ago by Pat Getz, the support services coordinator at the Montessori School of Syracuse. The Social Stories technique, in my experience, works very well with Montessori Grace & Courtesy lessons. What are Montessori Grace & Courtesy Lessons? “Grace and Courtesy” is the term […]
Chinese New Year Preschool Activities
Here are some of the activities we have on our Montessori preschool shelves in preparation for the Chinese New Year! On the Fine Motor Shelf We kept our fine motor shelf pretty simple. We just have a red theme with some rice and dishes from China. Pouring red water Pouring 3 Tonging 1 Tonging […]
Montessori and Preschool Activities for Winter
Preschoolers really enjoy winter activities! The winter season is a great opportunity to introduce children to new experiences, concepts and skills. Below you’ll find some great resources from around the web to help you create a winter theme for your classroom and provide fun and engaging preschool activities for winter. Montessori Preschool Activities for Winter: […]
A Year of Early Language Shelves
I love the early language development area of my classroom! There is a lot of foundational work that comes before children are introduced to letters. Today’s post is about the kinds of activities we have on our pre-literacy or early language Montessori shelves. The Language Area This is a photo of the Language area […]
Hanukkah
These were some of the activities we had on our Montessori shelves in honor of Hanukkah last week. On the Fine Motor Shelf We kept our fine motor shelf fairly simple with a blue and white color theme. Dry Pouring Wet Pouring Funnel Pouring Tong Transfer Tonging and Making a pattern with pom poms Spooning marbles Spooning glittery […]
Prepare a Montessori Classroom Feast
By mid-Autumn our class was ready to combine lots of practical life skills to come together and prepare a classroom feast! Here’s our step by step process for preparing food, setting the table, and enjoying our meal together! 1. Decide what you want to prepare with your class. In our 3-6 classroom, we made apple […]
Bat Coloring Pages: Types of Bats 3-Part Cards Free Printable
Bats are some of the most fascinating animals in the world. With their special adaptations and many different species, bats play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy. Learning about bats can spark curiosity in children, and pairing this study with a bat coloring page or printable activity gives them a hands-on way to connect […]
Fire Safety
A Visit from the Fire Fighters Don’t be afraid of the fire fighter! Up close and personal with the fire hydrant outside We got to see the fire truck! Fire Safety Work I printed this set of Fire Safety Tips Posters from PreKinders in card size (four posters to a page) to make a […]
Classroom Tour: Amy N
Today I am thrilled to feature my dear friend Amy’s room on the Classroom Showcase Series. Amy and I worked together for many years. She is one of the most peaceful, thoughtful, down to earth, and fun people I know! This is an all-day classroom for children ages 3-6 years old. The room is open from 7:30-5:30 daily. The outdoor […]
Music Resources for the Preschool Classroom
You can’t have a preschool classroom without music! But if you’re a tone deaf preschool teacher like I am, putting together a music curriculum can be a daunting task. These are some of my go-to resources for music in my classroom. Free Music Nancy Stewart has a hundreds of free songs available to download on her website. […]
Free Printable: Snakes 3 Part Cards
This week, we wanted to use these beautiful snake clipart illustrations by EduClips to create some 3-part cards to share! This set of 3-part cards includes color illustrations as well as blacklines. American Copperhead The American Copperhead is a venomous snake native to North America, known for its distinctive coppery-brown color and hourglass-shaped markings. It prefers wooded […]
Classroom Tours: Beth Bitts
I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend Beth Bitts on this week’s Classroom Showcase. You can find more information about Beth on her blog, Simply Sewn. About Beth I have a BA in Social Work and an AMS Montessori Certification. I came to Montessori as a second career after working in child welfare […]
How to Set Up a Classroom in 48 Hours
This week’s Classroom Showcase post is not a tour of a classroom but the (brief) story of how I had to set up my space in under 48 hours when we moved to our current location. These pictures are from 2010. Step 1: Get Some Efficient Movers Friday Aug 20th 7pm (in the garage) […]
Classroom Tours: April Waxler
This is the second post in our Montessori Classroom Showcase Series. Today I’m delighted to introduce you to April Waxler from the Bloomington Montessori School in Indiana. About April I have been a Montessori teacher for twenty years and I have yet to have a boring day. Bloomington Montessori School (in Bloomington, Indiana) has been […]
Classroom Tours: Miss Stephanie
This is the very first post is our Montessori Classroom Showcase series. I’m very excited about sharing with you Montessori classrooms from around the world! I’ve been in the classroom for over 15 years now and I still don’t get tired of looking at how Montessori teachers have arranged their shelves. I always get a […]
Strawberry Patch
We enjoyed a family field trip to go strawberry picking last weekend! The weather was perfect The berries were plentiful And we couldn’t wait to eat them! Slicing strawberries with an egg slicer (affiliate link) Strawberry Theme Activities in the Classroom We had some red and berry themed activities on our fine motor shelf Spooning little […]
Phonetic Books for Beginning Readers
Finding decodable reading books for early readers can be quite a challenge! Below are some of the books we have in our classroom. The Peacekeeper Series I absolutely love the Peacekeeper Series available on Montessori Services. Each story is set in a Montessori classroom and shows how the children prevent or resolve a conflict. The words are phonetically […]
The Montessori Blue Series for Reading
A few months ago we were gifted a box of treasures by a former Montessori teacher who also happens to be the grandmother of one of our students. Even after a decade and a half in the classroom, I still love this stuff! All that organizing put me in the mood to take photos […]
Introduction to the Life Sciences
Living and Non Living A few years ago we introduced the concept of living and non-living by introducing the students to our brand new class pet. The big reveal! Observing the fish. They named him Violet. (RIP Violet. You served us well for 3 years. We loved you.) Comparing the living fish to a […]
Preschool Printables for March and St. Patrick’s Day
Here are some ideas for St. Patrick’s Day themed preschool activities to help you get ready for March. These printables are available in the Trillium Montessori Shop. Sorting pictures of shamrocks and people Shadow matching 0-10 Number Cards 0-10 Number Clip Cards Where is the leprechaun? Prepositions Game Follow 1-3 step directions Related Products Click […]
So You Want to Get Montessori Training
I often get questions from people who are interested in getting Montessori training but have no idea where to start. Even though Montessori has been around for a long time, it is just recently coming into mainstream awareness. You have to dig a little bit to find the information you need. Hopefully the overview […]
The Solar System
Today’s guest post is by Disha Patel of Lotus Montessori Extensions. She has some fun pictures of the variety of ways in which they explore planets in her class. Click the image below to see some of the activities we do here at Trillium when learning about Space in the following posts: by […]
Short Vowels: How Much is Enough Practice?
By Cathie Perolman Read more about Cathie’s process for practicing letter sounds here: Are Sandpaper Letters Enough? The Letter Race Game Once a child has mastered some letters and is able to blend sounds into words he is ready for some “heavy duty” work with three letter short vowel words. As I visit schools and support […]
Free Printable: January Idea Book
The January Seasonal Idea Book is ready! This resource includes ideas for practical life, language, and science lessons that are easy to implement and designed to complement your existing Montessori materials. Whether you’re looking to add variety to your routine or bring in some seasonal inspiration, the activities in this book offer simple yet meaningful options. […]
A Year of Montessori Fine Motor Shelves
“Practical Life” is a huge area of the Montessori Curriculum. It’s about giving children opportunities to engage in real everyday activities such as taking care of themselves and their surroundings, preparing food, cleaning up etc. Real. Life. Stuff. Many Montessori teachers call their fine motor activities Practical Life activities. I think of them more as […]
December Activities for Preschool
Here are a few more December activities to round off the month! Sensorial Smelling and matching Christmas scented candles. Use a blindfold for a fun challenge! Language We LOVE this “I Have Who Has” vocabulary development game from Kindergarten Squared Matching Christmas erasers with their outlines. I don’t remember where I got these but they […]
A Celebration of Light – The Winter Solstice
By Lisa Anderson Spending this time of the year with children reminds me of the beauty the holidays have to offer. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and we try to acknowledge each family’s cultural traditions and share the joys of the season. This year we are celebrating the winter solstice and preparing […]
Free Printable: November Idea Book
The November Idea Book provides a collection of Montessori-aligned activities to help you bring the season into your classroom. It’s like a photo album of ideas, offering practical and engaging ways to introduce sorting, phonological awareness, early math, and more—each tied to the themes of autumn, from leaves to turkeys. This resource includes ideas for […]
Pumpkin Patch Fun
Pumpkin Patch Fun We will be taking a field trip to the pumpkin patch in a couple of weeks. To prepare, our classroom is starting to fill up with “pumpkiny” activities. If you haven’t already downloaded my October Seasonal Guide for the Classroom with pictures of all our seasonal activities for the month, you can get all […]