First up is Parts of a Seed, with brand new drawings and updated definitions:

Next we have the Asia Maps from the Asia Continent Kit – updated with colors to match the Nienhuis maps:

And finally the Europe Maps from the Europe Continent Kit – also updated with colors to match the Nienhuis maps:

Here’s how it works: If you’ve ever purchased one (or more) of these items from us, either as an individual PDF or on a CD-ROM, please email us at montessoriforeveryone@gmail.com and let us know which item(s) you bought, and we will email you the updated version.

If you’ve never purchased them before, from this point on anyone who buys them will receive the updated version – no need to ask for it specifically. In the case of the Asia and Europe maps, they are only available as part of each Continent Kit.

Every single workplan has been completely revised and updated; they are now consistent and thorough. And, I’ve added workplans for 4th Grade for September through December.

Sometime this fall I will be adding more workplans, for January through March, for all four grades. Please don’t ask when as it really depends on my schedule – but it will be announced at our blog, our Facebook page, and through our email newsletter so you will not miss it.

How to use the workplans:

Each child gets their own workplan; one per month. They check off work after they’ve completed it. Your presentations should follow the workplans fairly closely, although you can certainly make changes as you go and write in things on the workplan that aren’t listed.

In my elementary classrooms, the children used clipboards for writing their work and put the workplan on the clipboard under their writing paper (we used wide-lined notebook paper). Then they could easily check their workplan and use it to get ideas for work as well as see what they had already done.

Helpful info about the workplans:

The monthly workplans are intended to be a flexible tool for teachers and parents. They are in Microsoft Word so that you can edit and change them as needed. They will look different at each school or in each home.

You may want to:

• Add materials that you have that I have not included
• Remove materials listed that you do not have
• Tailor them to an individual student
• Go through them more quickly (one workplan every 1-2 weeks for an advanced student)
• Go through them more slowly (one workplan every 2-3 months for a student who needs more time)

The workplans, while very comprehensive, do not include other activities that you will want to do in your classroom. These kinds of activities differ greatly from school to school and country to country so I did not include them. You will want to keep a record of them another way (or you can add them to the workplans yourself).

Additional activities may include:

• Spelling Tests
• Handwriting
• Foreign Language Study
• Reading (Phonics Readers, Basal Readers, Junior Great Books)
• Art Projects
• Field Trips

In addition to these workplans, I recommend printing out a Comprehensive List for each child you work with. These lists are for the 3-year cycle, and are invaluable in terms of planning presentations and keeping track of work, materials, and concepts.

I also offer a blank workplan, which some people prefer to use all year (or the last few months of the year).

While obviously presentations of new materials continue until the end of the year, it’s nice to give children to freedom to choose their own work from the new materials as well as everything they’ve been shown up until that point.

Some of you may prefer to use a blank workplan right from the beginning. That works well for the 9-12 age group.

I am excited about using the new, updated workplans with my children and I hope you find them helpful as well!

You can find the workplans on the Elementary Workplans and Teacher Tools page of our Free Downloads pages.

Our CD-ROM Collections are the best way to get our materials – the PDFs are over 50% off what you pay when you buy them individually. As we brainstormed this spring, we thought of three ways to help families and schools get their hands on one of our CD-ROMs.

1. There’s a 25% discount in June on all three of our CD-ROM Collections for any first-time buyer. Just use the code “june” (without the quotes) in the discount code box when you checkout to get your discount. (Expires at the end of June!)

Please note: This discount is for CD-ROMs only, not PDFs individually or in a set.

2. If you’ve purchased a CD from us in the past, you can upgrade to the current CD by paying the difference between your purchase price and the current price. We can’t apply a discount to the difference, but since we don’t increase the CD price that frequently, you’ll still be getting an amazing deal.

Getting a new CD also means you get the most recent version of our older materials – we often add extras or improve them (like replacing clipart with photos) so it’s nice for that too.

If you take this option, please email us first at montessoriforeveryone@gmail.com – we’ll generate a custom discount code for you for the difference between your first purchase and the current CD price.

3. If you’ve purchased PDF files (either individually or as Package Deals) from us before, you can buy the CD and we will give you credit for your previous purchases, and then take 25% off the difference.

For example, if you’ve purchased $50 worth of PDFs from us and would like the Elementary CD, it would go like this:

Elementary CD $455.99
-previous PDFs -$50
Subtotal $405.99
- 25% discount
Total: $304

As in option #2, you’ll need to email us first at montessoriforeveryone@gmail.com so that we can figure out your discount and get you the right discount code.

Please let us know how we can help get a CD into your hands!

This week’s winner is Trish Wymore, who said:

“One of my resolutions for the new year ahead is to help create a continuity of care between home and school through parent education. SO many parents are anxious for their children to “get ahead” and I find they are giving them workbooks and such at home. I want to help parents see that the best education they can give their children involves quality time spent doing family things – not “school” things. Cooking, reading, and playing outside together are far more beneficial to the well being of the child (and her family!). I am sure this will be no small task! ”

Great comment, Trish! Thanks for entering our giveaway and enjoy the lovely weaving loom!

Happy New Year to everyone from me and my husband Bruce here at Montessori for Everyone. Remember, the 10% discount code “december” is only good until tonight at midnight!

Welcome to the last giveaway between Montessori for Everyone and Alison’s Montessori! I hope you’ve been enjoying the giveaways, especially all the great comments that have been left. If you haven’t already, take a look at the holiday tradition comments, the holiday lessons comments, and the multicultural ideas.

This week’s giveaway is our grandest! The winner of this giveaway receives a $50 gift certificate from Montessori for Everyone and this lovely weaving loom from Alison’s Montessori:

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment sharing some kind of resolution you’re making for the new year when it comes to education – something you’ll do differently in the classroom or try for the first time.

For example, my resolution is to stop myself each time I’m tempted to step in and help my children right away and instead, let them figure out the issue themselves – even if it is frustrating to them and takes them some time to work out. That is really hard for me!

The guidelines:

The giveaway will close on Wednesday, December 30th at midnight CST.

The prize ships to the US only – weaving loom will be mailed, gift certificate will be emailed. If you are outside the US but have friends or family here that could get the loom to you, feel free to enter.

One entry per email address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday morning, December 31st.

Best of luck to everyone!

I’m delighted to announce this week’s winner:

Congratulations, Monica! Love the idea of having a huge map available at all times. Hope you enjoy the prizes!

This next Sunday will be the last giveaway from Alison’s Montessori – please check back because it’s going to be the best one of all!

The winner of our second giveaway is Julia S.:

Congratulations, Julia! Lovely thoughts for the holiday season. I hope you enjoy your movable alphabet and gift certificate!

Please come back on Sunday to learn about the next giveaway!

Just a reminder – use the code “december” (with no quotes) to get 10% off any order at Montessori for Everyone. This code is good until December 31, and can be used multiple times.

If you’ve purchased a CD-ROM from me, email me (montessoriforeveryone@gmail.com) for a code good for 60% off during December – I’m always making new items so you should be able to find something you like.

I’m excited to add materials in two new languages this month: Russian and French. Check out the Russian Vertebrate Card Set and the French Vertebrate Card Set. I’ll be adding more of those languages (and more Spanish too) in the coming months.

Now that my husband is working with me full time, he’s committed to making lots of new work for all of you! This month he’s contributed a lovely Water Cycle Set.

This month’s freebie is an Ordinal Numbers Activity – it’s simple but fun!

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my email newsletter and become a fan of my Facebook page. That’s the first place you’ll hear about specials, new materials, helpful links, and more!

Here we are, already starting our second holiday giveaway! The first giveaway generated some fantastic ideas for holiday traditions, so take a look at the comments there if you haven’t already.

This giveaway is for one $25 gift certificate from Montessori for Everyone and one printed Movable Alphabet from Alison’s Montessori:

You can even choose the color of the movable alphabet (black, blue, green, or red) and style (print or D’Nealian)!

To enter, please leave a comment sharing one thing you hope to pass along to your children or the children you work with during the holidays. As an example, I want my children to always do something for others less fortunate during the holidays. One yearly tradition is to save all our change during December (they contribute their allowances as well) and then we donate it to a charity that they help choose.

Prize ships to US only (if you live outside the US but have friends or family here that could pass it along to you, feel free to enter).

Contest closes Thursday, December 17th at midnight CST. One entry per email address. Winner will be chosen by random.org and posted on Friday, December 18th. Good luck!

I’m excited to announce that the winner (the comment # was chosen by random.org) is:

Congratulations, Liz! I love your last name and the theme you use for your tree! I hope you enjoy the prizes.

Come back on Sunday to find out about our next giveaway – and remember, during December you can use the code “december” (without the quotes) to get 10% off at Montessori for Everyone.