Life A3.1 Spooning

Shu-Chen Yen's On-Line Montessori Albums

PRATICAL-LIFE DEVELOPMENT ALBUM

ELEMENTARY MOVEMENT

A3.1 SPOONING

MATERIALS:

Tray, 2 identical bowls, a spoon, and material to be used, (beans lentils, small noodles etc.)

PREPARATION:

Invite child. Make sure materials are ready and available. Name the activity. Show child where materials are located on shelf.

PRESENTATION:

1. Take tray to table, carrying it with two hands. Set work on table and sit down.

2. Pick up spoon with dominant hand.

3. Lower spoon into bowl on left. Twist and scoop beans up and onto spoon.

4. Move spoon up and over to the bowl on the right.

5. Tilt spoon sideways and let beans drop into bowl.

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until left bowl is empty.

7. Check tray and table for spilled beans.

8. Observe work. Place spoon on table.

9. Turn tray around so full bowl is now on the left again.

10. Replace spoon. Tell child he/she can repeat the exercise as often as desired but that you are finished.

11. Stand up and push in chair. Replace work. Invite child.

CONTROL OF ERROR

1. Spilling materials on tray or floor.

2. Clattering spoon inside empty bowl.

3. Using hand, instead of spoon.

4. Taking everything off tray.

5. Materials not restored to original state.

6. Leaving some material in both bowls.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

1. Sound of material being used, falling into bowl.

2. Tipping bowl to scoop up last bit of material into spoon.

3. Appearance of bowls.

4. Varying height of spoon when pouring material from spoon.

5. picking up spilled Materials,- using three finger grip.

DIRECT AIMS:

Concentration, order, small muscle control, eye-hand coordination

INDIRECT AIMS:

Learning to use a spoon to transfer, preparation for cooking, preparation for other transferring exercises using other tools, learning to use a spoon effectively.

VOCABULARY:

Name of activity, spoon, bowl, name of material, tray, empty, full, carry, scoop

AGE:

2.5 to 4 years

VARIATIONS:

Using different sizes and types of spoons, (ladles, measuring spoons, scoops, long handled spoons, etc.) using spoons made of varying materials, (silver spoons, plastic, wood, clear plastic, metal, etc.) using 2 spoons and discovering which one transfers the material most efficiently, using different materials to spoon, (rice, plastic beads, glass beads, etc.)