Montessori Basics 6: Essentials of a 6-9 Classroom
Ah, the Montessori 6-9 classroom! One of my favorite places in the whole world. Here’s a look a the essential materials that every Montessori elementary classroom should have.
Essential General Equipment:
1. Sturdy table or open floor where work can be done
2. Shelves for holding the work
3. Work rug and a table mat (placemat)
4. Clipboard, writing paper, and sharpened pencils
5. Plants or artwork for the school area
6. A pet for the child(ren) to take care of
Essentials for Language:
1. Pink, Blue, & Green Series materials
2. Word study materials
3. Movable Alphabet
4. Grammar Materials
5. Age-appropriate books of all kinds
Essentials for Math:
1. Strip Boards and Equations for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
2. Box of bead bars (the largest you can afford)
3. Large & small (decimal) number cards
4. Math symbols (+, -, x, รท, >)
5. Checkerboard
6. Small Bead Frame
Essentials for Geometry:
1. Geometric Solids
2. Geometry Nomenclature Cards 6-9 (Geometry Folders)
4. Constructive Triangles
5. Geometry Cabinet
Essentials for Botany & Zoology:
1. Living/non-living cards or objects
2. Zoology Nomenclature Cards with definitions (all vertebrates and invertebrates)
3. Botany Nomenclature Cards with definitions (plant, flower, root, seed, fruit, leaf, stem)
4. Botany Charts & Experiments
5. Characteristics of Vertebrates Cards
6. “Types of…” Cards for all botany & zoology categories
7. Plant & Animal Kingdom Charts
Essentials for History & Geography:
1. Land & Water Form Work (photos, clay, advanced)
2. Globe
3. Puzzle Maps for all the continents & child’s own country
4. Parts of the Earth, Mountain, River, and Flag
5. Advanced Calendar and Seasons work
6. Geography Impressionistic Charts 9-12
7. Fundamental Needs Chart & Cards
Essentials for Art & Music:
1. Cards for study of art and artists
2. Cards for study of types of instruments and musical symbols
3. Musical instruments (and lessons for an instrument)
4. Art supplies of all kinds
Essentials for Research:
1. Access to a library
2. Access to a computer (with a child-safe program installed and adult supervision)
3. Books for research; see this post: Recommended Books for the Elementary Classroom
4. Research Guides
Essential Teacher Tools:
Comprehensive List for 6-9
Elementary Albums (Manuals)
Elementary Workplans
[...] of a Toddler Classroom Essentials of a 3-6 Classroom Essentials of a 6-9 Classroom I don’t have a list for 9-12 but if someone does, email me at montessoriforeveryone@gmail.com [...]