It’s that time again! Let's just say, this post took me a little longer than usual. My brain is most definitely on “Spring Break” mode! ;)
For this post I want to do a quick overlook of the Sensorial materials in my classroom and why they are so important!
It is with the Sensorial materials, that the children learn to observe, compare, contrast, reason, make judgement and problem solve! These skills come with the hands on use of the Montessori materials, which are specifically designed to manipulate each of the senses! The skills obtained from working with these materials, are essential for success in future Math work.
You could even say that Sensorial is Math prep!
The Sensorial Materials are presented in the same fashion as the Practical Life materials, from concrete to abstract, top to bottom, left to right, counter-clockwise, and on top of this, by the sense they involve!
The Sensorial materials are categorized by the sense they acquire:
- Visual Sense:
- Muscular- Tactile:
- Auditory
- Olfactory
- Gustatory
The Visual sense materials are likely the ones that you are most familiar with, for it contains the majority of the Sensorial materials. It is also the first category that my students are introduced to through matching and sorting (which can also be found in some of our Practical Life works), and through the Knobbed Cylinder Blocks. The Knobbed Cylinders help the children recognize dimensions and in-particular gradation of size, through thickness and height. Each of the Knobbed Cylinder blocks are presented separately and a child is to fully mastered the concept before moving onto the next! Once the child has mastered all four Cylinder Blocks they are welcome to explore the material!
I’m not going to get into details about all of the materials, for this blog would end up being as long as my Sensorial Album (AKA my Sensorial Bible!) Instead I’ll let the picture do the explaining!
One of my favourite aspects of the Sensorial material is that it allows for so much exploration and creativity. Children often take part in Variations and Extensions of the materials and in doing so refine their skills and further their understanding of the concepts.
Variations and Extensions take a higher level of thinking than the imitation of a regular presentation.
A Variation is using the same materials in a different way.
One of my favourite aspects of the Sensorial material is that it allows for so much exploration and creativity. Children often take part in Variations and Extensions of the materials and in doing so refine their skills and further their understanding of the concepts.
Variations and Extensions take a higher level of thinking than the imitation of a regular presentation.
A Variation is using the same materials in a different way.
A Extension is adding new material to an activity!
We try to have the children discover variations and extensions for themselves. It shows that the child is mastering the skill in which they are attaining with the material and is seeking a way in which to work harder!
Remember, children naturally love to work!
We try to have the children discover variations and extensions for themselves. It shows that the child is mastering the skill in which they are attaining with the material and is seeking a way in which to work harder!
Remember, children naturally love to work!
The children in our classroom are so enticed by the materials and they attempt to mimic my movements as closely as possible; watching a child perfect their movements and the handling of the material always amazes me. Seeing them so concentrated on their work, repeating the actions they have just seen and slowly perfecting the movement with every repetition of work, is truly remarkable!
One of the most important parts of every Montessori material is that they have a Control of Error. Meaning that the child is able recognize, on their own, if they have made a mistake! This is necessary to ensure that the teacher does not need to interfere with the work. The child is able to work independently and confidently, without the aid of an adult.
The Knob-less Cylinders are also a great material within the Visual/Size category!
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I could literally write about the Sensorial materials forever! In a world that is becoming more and more technological, it is now even more important to take part in the education of your senses! I have only highlighted the very tip of the iceberg in this post! If you are interested in learning a little more about the Sensorial materials please free free to ask me! I love sharing my knowledge! ;)
So to finish up, check out these awesome Extensions of our Pythagoras Square that took place on our very last day of school before Spring Break!
So to finish up, check out these awesome Extensions of our Pythagoras Square that took place on our very last day of school before Spring Break!
And then this happened.... Celebrating the discovery together!
My students are just so beautiful!
I couldn't be more proud!
My students are just so beautiful!
I couldn't be more proud!