Number rods and Sandpaper numerals

Another aspect of Montessori education I really like is math.  All lessons are "hands on" versus worksheets and the materials are really beautiful and practically beg to be touched and used.  These are our number rods and sandpaper numerals.  Wyatt is already counting past 10 and recognizes numerals 0-9 easily.  This next exercise was pretty easy for him but he still enjoyed it.  He has had earlier lessons in just the number rods (making the "staircase", counting each one, putting them in order 1-10) but today we added something new. 

First we reviewed the sandpaper numerals and practiced tracing each one.  Then he laid out the number rods on his mats.  Next he had to count each rod and match the corresponding numeral to the correct rod.  When he was finished he had me come over and he counted each one, proudly showing me that he matched them all correctly.

Fire Prevention Week!

In honor of Fire Prevention Week, our local fire department visited the local library to talk to kids about fire safety.  Although this was part of the life skills curriculum I used to teach my special needs students back when I was a teacher I realized I have never directly taught many of these lessons and concepts to Bean.  He has actually been on 3 firehouse tours with our parenting groups but I can't say that fire safety lessons were actually sinking in versus merely enjoying the big trucks at that age.  So off to the library we went to see the big trucks and hopefully learn a few new things.   

 

The program started off with watching a plain-clothed fireman getting suited up from head to toe.  The first time Bean saw a fireman in head to toe gear he was scared to death.  By the third time, he felt comfortable enough to give the fireman a high five.  Today he was shy, but definitely chatty about all the pieces of his uniform.                                              

                                                                    

Then of course the big draw was to go out and see/experience the fire truck and ambulance.  Here is Bean "driving" the fire truck. 

 

The program was short and sweet but I wanted to go in a bit more depth with him at home.  Meet "Fireman Bob" and his safety rules!  "Fireman Bob" was from my teaching days and so we pulled him out and went over each of the safety rules.  We practiced making 911 calls on an old, disconnected cell phone and giving our personal information.  We talked about how fire is useful for certain things but when it gets out of control or burns something it's not supposed to then it's dangerous and so we shouldn't play with matches or lighters.  We practiced Stop, Drop and Roll (mom, too!).  We went over all of the exits in our house and I made sure he could open/work the locks on all of our doors (except our slider which is top bolted as well) including opening the garage door if he needed to escape.  We also chose a family meet-up spot if we had to evacuate the house.  When Daddy came home he tested our smoke detectors for us and Bean got to hear what they sound like in case of an emergency.  While he still needs more practice in giving his whole address in an emergency (namely the house number) I feel a lot more confident that Bean knows a bit more what to do if needed.