Comments on: Continent Boxes Add Excitement to Geography

By: Sue Macfarlane

Sue Macfarlane — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:10:47 +0000

Hello Lori – I have been preparing continent boxes for our local mobile toy library here in the Highlands of Scotland. These have been on a larger scale since they also include ‘dressing up’ versions of national or traditional costume. The latest one to be completed is the Antarctic Box. It contains a felt map of Antarctica, simple reference book and story books, photos, snowflake-shaped cutters for making biscuits, an ‘aurora’ (multi-coloured silk banner, model penguins and whales (toothed and baleen), a child-sized penguin outfit and baby penguin, fish-shaped ice cube trays (for ice fish!) and a small rucksack with mixture of teddy/doll clothes to select for the trip to Antarctica.
If anyone has any further ideas for an Oceania box, I’d be very greatful. Best wishes, Sue.

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:54:23 +0000

Hi, Susana! Glad you like the post. I never specified an age group because continent boxes can be used with all ages.

Thanks for stopping by!

By: Susana

Susana — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:28:04 +0000

Hi Lori! Yet again, another brilliant post. This is going to be very helpful to so many of us putting materials together before the start of the new school year. Thanks a bunch!

Lori, do you think that continent boxes would be beneficial in the primary classroom as well? I’m hosting a Montessori 3-6 co-op in my home this year and was wondering about the boxes for them. I will definitely be making these for my 6-9 year olds though!

Thanks!
-Susana
http://www.montessoricandy.com
P.S. I’ll have to blog about this one Lori! You are awesome!

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:41:26 +0000

Hi, Hayley! I love that idea. Easy to find the boxes (rather than searching for colored ones) and then, as you said, the children can see that something interesting is inside. Thanks for sharing!

By: Hayley Gulab

Hayley Gulab — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:02:02 +0000

Hello,
I used see through storage boxes for mine, then added a large Colour Coded label (as per continent globe) on the lid. That way the children can see into the boxes to encourage use. In the last nursery I worked for the boxes used to just sit on the shelf as the children did not see what they were missing out on!

By: PS Montessori

PS Montessori — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:27:50 +0000

I just rearranged and set up my geography area today. It turns out I might have some space for boxes (eventually). You can see pics over at my blog. Thanks for the ideas!

By: Kylie

Kylie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:54:16 +0000

Fantastic! I can’t wait to make my continent boxes, this will be a great help.

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:16:15 +0000

Those look great, Patty! I like the idea of painting the boxes if you can’t find the right colors. I’m glad to know that acrylic paints work well for that.

By: Patty

Patty — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:48:59 +0000

I painted my boxes using acrylic paints. I just put on a couple of coats. The boxes turned out nicely. I couldn't find yellow or orange. You can see them here.

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:38:47 +0000

PSMontessori – I’ve never used folders, just the envelopes and boxes. But I’m only using card materials, not larger pictures, so that works for me.

Marian – thanks for the link to your site! Your stuff looks great.

Gigi – those books sound awesome! That reminds me of one of my favorite books: Children Just Like Me! from Dorling Kindersley. They describe a day in a typical child’s life for many different countries, in a way that makes it come alive for children.