Friday, September 17, 2010

Continent Boxes

This year I am using Galloping The Globe for both the kids.  I have been trying to include books and ideas that will keep Aiden interested as we study each continent.  While I was searching for ideas I found a blog post on Montessori For Everyone about continent boxes and fell in love with the idea. 

Continent boxes are a great way to keep items from each country together in one place.  You can include books, music, pictures, small plastic animals, fabric, money, stamps, flags ~ basically anything you can find from the continent.

I used black photo boxes and made labels for each continent ~ using traditional Montessori continent colors. 

  • North America  ~ orange
  • Europe ~ red
  • Africa ~ green
  • South America ~ pink
  • Antarctica ~ white
  • Australia ~ brown
  • Asia ~  yellow

Continent boxes

I have our boxes where the kids can get to them any time they want.   As we study each continent we will display the items in the box and talk about them in more detail.

continent boxes

Where I Found Items to Fill Our Boxes:

  • I started out by looking around the house (and my mom’s).  I was really surprised at the number of items we already had from other countries.
  • Thrift stores are a great place to find dolls, souvenirs, and books.
  • I found some cute souvenirs online at Happy Mall.
  • eBay – is a great place to find some very inexpensive items (stamps, money, flags, etc.).  I only buy from sellers with 95% or higher positive feedback.
  • Each of our continent boxes contains a book about the continent.  I found continent books on Amazon for $7.99 each.  They ended up being cheaper because they are eligible for the 4 for 3 promotion, which brought the cost down.
  • I would like to include Continent Kits from Montessori for Everyone but right know I only have one for Asia.  The kits include:
    • Maps
    • Animals – 3 part cards
    • Plants – 3 part cards
    • Flags
    • Places – 3 part cards
    • Pictures - 12 pictures of people and daily life
    • Fact Sheet
    • Arrows (one for each country)
    • Instructions for making & using this material
  • Toob animals from each continent – I got my from Amazon and Michaels.  I was able to use a 40% off coupon at Michaels.

Our Continent Boxes:

Some of our boxes have more items then others.  We will continue to add items and crafts as we study the continents.

 continent boxes   continent boxes 

 continent boxes  continent boxes  

 continent boxes  contient boxes

continent boxes

Our continent boxes have been a great way to get Aiden excited about our geography studies.  

To check out more Preschool ideas and activities visit Preschool Corner!

~Cindy

21 comments:

Mary Prather said...

Cindy, I love these boxes. We have no formal geography program right now (my kids are 5 and 9), but we pick it up through our Five In A Row and Sonlight curriculums. I love your ideas, though, and am going to look at what you are using. It may be time we took geography to the next level!

Corina said...

What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing it!

Laura Lee said...

I used Galloping with my oldest two and LOVED it! They still remember so much from those studies...I'm tempted to use it again with my youngest. :)

Have you checked this 'site? http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/category/5107

I've gathered a few bits from it and plan to stick a continent puzzle in each stocking this Christmas. ;)

Mozer said...

I love this idea. We are doing something similar (traveling the countries) but I have things in folders b/c I have to carry them to co-op. I like the boxes idea b/c you can fit more 3-D things. I also purchased a set of World Landmark flashcards from the Target Dollar Spot and file those picture cards in with the countries we are studying.

_ said...

This is a GENIUS idea. I love it! My kids are currently 1, 2, and 3 so I'm filing this idea away for later. Brilliance.

Anonymous said...

wow these boxes look great.. so rich in culture!! I bet Aiden loves playing with all the small things in them!

Mommy Moment said...

Thanks for sharing what is in your boxes! We use similar boxes and the colored labels - I also have a cut out of each continent on the lid.
I love the books that you have in each box - I would love to add them to mine too!
I love your blog!!!

Jody

Melissa @ Half Dozen Mama said...

Love this idea! Finally a place to put all those odds and ends and coins and things we beg people to bring us back from their travels.

Carrie said...

When I first began researching homeschooling, I loved the idea of Galloping the Globe ... but we still haven't added it in our schedule!! :(

Your continent boxes are a swell idea ... you always have such great ideas!! I'm so glad I found your blog! ;)

Ticia said...

I love the idea of continent boxes. I keep thinking I'm going to follow through and do that, but I haven't taken the plunge yet.

Airamty said...

This is such a GREAT idea! My daughter is just 2 years old but I think I can start collecting things and putting them together. Thanks and love your blog!

www.pinkyslearningworld.blogspot.com

Lynn said...

What a great idea, and I love your boxes! I noticed your Geo Puzzles on the shelf. My son loves his. We is really into maps and countries, but doesn't seem to get into learning ABOUT the country, so much. So this would be a great way to engage him.

The Adventurer said...

What a great idea!

Sarah said...

Very cute idea!

Michelle said...

Oh wow these are amazing...I am so glad that I found your blog I am really enjoying all of your ideas!

Kelly said...

I love these. And your look awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Rebecca said...

Great visuals!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
I finally got some pictures posted this evening on my blog sharing our Continent box contents. Thank you again so much for the inspiration and encouragement :)

Many Blessings, Tamara

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the work you have put into this post. I have this post bookmarked in Delicious and will refer back frequently over the next several day.



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