Montessori Basics 5: Essentials of a 3-6 Classroom

Welcome to the next installment of the Montessori Basics series! According to my visitor tracking program, the first four posts in this series have been extremely popular. I actually did a variation on this post a few months ago, but I’ve updated and expanded it for this series.

Many times people ask me what the very basic items are that are necessary for a 3-6 classroom. This can be a parent who is looking to homeschool with Montessori, or a teacher or director who is opening a new classroom. This list is flexible, and should be modified to fit the specific needs of a home or school. It’s just a starting point, and materials can always be added as needed.

So, here are the very basics of a 3-6 classroom setup:

Essential General Equipment:

1. Child-sized table and chair
2. Rug (flat, off-white) and table mat (cloth placemat)
3. Pencils and paper
4. Plants, animals (pets) and artwork
5. Age-appropriate books of all kinds

Essentials for Practical Life:

1. Pouring, spooning, tweezing, and tonging work
2. Cleaning equipment (child-sized broom, sponge, scrub brush, etc.)

Essentials for Sensorial:

1. Pink Tower
2. Red Rods
4. Color Tablets – Box 1

Essentials for Math:

1. Spindle Boxes
2. Sandpaper Numerals
3. Cards & Counters
4. Golden Bead Set

Essentials for Language:

1. Matching Cards
2. Sandpaper Letters
3. Movable Alphabet Set

Essentials for Cultural:

1. Globe and world map puzzle
2. Nomenclature Cards (plants, animals)
3. Land and Water Forms (cards, clay, and water)

Essentials for Art and Music:

1. Musical instruments (rhythm instruments)
2. Art supplies including paint, scissors, glue, crayons, etc.

Essential Teacher Tools:

1. Comprehensive List for 3-6
2. Montessori Play & Learn by Lesley Britton
3. Shu-Chen Jenny-Yen’s Online 3-6 Albums
4. MTC Online 3-6 Albums

Many thanks to Hanya, of My Montessori House, for the original list of 3-6 essentials.

Posted by Lori Bourne on Monday, May 14th, 2007 at 7:29 am
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15 Responses to “Montessori Basics 5: Essentials of a 3-6 Classroom”

  • Bridget said at September 1st, 2007 at 8:03 am :

    I have referred to this post several times as I’ve worked on developing homeschool preschool for my 4 year old. I appreciate the basics aspect – it’s easier to find comprehensive lists than basics lists and Montessori is overwhelming when you’re getting starting, so many great things to do!

  • montessori_lori said at September 1st, 2007 at 8:06 am :

    So glad it’s been helpful for you! That’s what I was hoping for when I launched the Montessori Basics series. Thanks for your comment!

  • Kylie said at September 12th, 2009 at 4:45 pm :

    Thanks for the post Lori, very helpful.

    Just to let you know that the link to Su-Chen Jenny-Yen’s Albums is broken on this post.

  • Lori Bourne said at September 13th, 2009 at 8:30 pm :

    Thanks for letting me know – looks like she had moved it to a different URL. I fixed it!

  • Monica Utsey said at January 26th, 2010 at 9:55 pm :

    Thank you, thank you, and thank you! Now I actually have a plan. Before I used to just stare at the Montessori catalogs not knowing where to even start, what to make, what to buy. Now I can move forward with a budget.

  • carey montgomery said at February 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm :

    I just responded to you about how to set up the classroom, and this covers what is in it — I think I would inlcude the knobbed cylinders work, for the pincher grip that is so important, especially for getting that proper pencil grip.
    Carey

  • usha said at March 11th, 2010 at 8:09 am :

    Thanks for sharing this info!

  • jeannie hughes said at April 19th, 2010 at 7:40 am :

    New teacher is trying to find pictures of upper elementary layout for classroom. Are there any on web. If so please guide me in the right direction. I have all the materials but I need suggestions for design of areas , tables and study areas.

  • Lori Bourne said at April 19th, 2010 at 9:52 am :

    Sure, I have a picture here: A Brief Overview of Montessori Elementary. I would recommend Googling “montessori elementary” and then clicking “Images” at the top left to see if there are any pictures. You can refine your search by adding words like “class” or “classroom”.

  • Maryam said at February 8th, 2011 at 1:30 am :

    Thank you so much for such a beneficial and useful article!!
    You should compile them together into an e-book!

    My husband just got his job, so it will be a while until we can get all the stuff for our kids. This is exactly what I was looking for, to start with.

    Many thanks

    <3

  • Lori Bourne said at February 8th, 2011 at 8:01 am :

    So glad to be of help! Thanks for your kind comment :)

  • Alisa said at March 11th, 2011 at 12:41 pm :

    I have a small private school and am looking to spice things up add a new something.
    jaze up our spanish class .

    It is very hard to get parent participation as our parents are busy as everyone else is too! I would like some suggestions as to something new we could add to our school to get new enrollment or excitement

    ages 18months-3 years class
    3-6 classes

    HELP! HELP!!

  • Lori Bourne said at March 11th, 2011 at 12:55 pm :

    Hi, Alisa! The Montessori Services website is filled with those special “extras” that make Montessori classrooms so beautiful. They have items for language, math, art, and especially practical life. You can also call them and ask for a catalog. I have ordered from them many times and have always been pleased.

  • inna said at April 4th, 2011 at 4:54 am :

    Hi Lori
    Would you have a list of activities/equipment that is essential for 3-6 year old classroom for each area? I saw on the website that you have a list for sale in PDF format? Would it have the scope and sequence of presentation of materials for each area as well?

  • Lori Bourne said at April 4th, 2011 at 7:02 am :

    Hi, Inna! Yes, the Comprehensive Lists I have are extremely thorough for every area, and can be used as scope & sequence lists as well.

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