Montessori Geometric Cabinet and 3 sets of corresponding Cards

MATERIALS:

Three sets of Geometric cards.

Set 1 – Solid Outline

Set 2 – Thick Outline

Set 3 – Thin Outline

OBJECTIVES:

To make the child familiar with, and to teach him the appropriate geometric names for the various geometric shapes.

To make the child aware of the geometric shapes that are found in the every day environment.

Preparation for Geometry.

Preparation for reading and writing.

Co-ordination of Movement.

CONTROL OF ERROR:

There is a card for each inset.

AGE:

3 plus years.

PRESENTATION 1:

This is an individual exercise done at the table or on the floor on a floor mat.

Bring the Circle Tray to the mat and place it in the centre of the mat. The child sits on your non-dominant side.

Take the circle cards from the Solid set and lay them out around the tray. Lay two cards out to the left-hand side of the tray, lay two cards out in front of the tray and lay two cards out on the right hand side of the tray.

Remove the insets slowly and gracefully by grasping the little white knob. Place them on their matching solid cards ensuring that the blue solid shape is totally covered.

EXERCISE 1:

The child works with the exercise as presented.

EXERCISE 2:

On another day, invite the child to work with the second drawer, and so on working with each drawer in succession.

The child places the inset on to each card in turn.

EXERCISE 3:

Later, the child repeats the exercise with:

The broad outline cards

The thin outline cards.

Game 1:

Place all the drawers of the cabinet at one end of the room, ensuring that the children can see the shape. Take one set of the cards, show a child the card and ask him to fetch the corresponding wooden inset. When he brings it, let him fit it over the card. Show another card to another child and continue in this way until all the cards and insets have been matched.

Game 2:

Scatter two or three sets of cards on the mat from the solid set or from the broad /thin outline. Take one card away and see whether the child can identify which one you took away.

Game 3:

Place two mats on the floor a good distance apart.

A variety of insets are placed on one mat and assorted cards are placed on the other mat.

Point to one inset and ask the child to bring the corresponding card. Specify whether it should be solid, a thick outline, or a thin outline.

Game 4:

Spread all the cards from set 1 on the table. Place set 2 on another table and place all the drawers from the cabinet on a third table. Mix the cards from set 3 and give a few to a group of children. Ask them to find the corresponding insets and cards to those they have been given. In doing so they have to remember the figures they have been given.

Game 5:

Using two sets of geometric cards e.g. The solid and thick outline, share out one set of cards among the children who then place them on their tables face up. Hold up one card from the other set and the child who has the corresponding card turns his card down. The game continues until all the cards are used up.

Game 6:

A more difficult variation of this game can be played by turning the cards face down on the table after the children have thoroughly looked at them. Then when the Montessori Directress holds up the card from her set, the child remembers and recognises it as his card.

NOTE

The children must be familiar with the cards and cabinet before playing these games.