In response to some requests to provide more illustrations for the diy projects that we undertook to enhance our baby’s environment, I finally started posting pictures. See our Pull-up post and its description here: Illustration of the Pull Up Bar for the most adorable pulley in your house.

My older one, Sunshine, is a true fan of the Magic School Bus series. He knows every cartoon by heart. He loves every single book I could find. So when I found their phonics series, I was very excited – and there was a good reason: he loved it!!! Every book is on a different subject. Every book has list of words in the beginning. Every book has facts listed at the back. And, the best one – it has clear simple text with excellent illustrations. Not too busy, not too difficult, neither too easy. It doesn’t teach phonics, it is merely a set of Level 1 books. An excellent collection. Highly, highly recommended.

My little one, Smiles, really doesn’t care about the animals. He happily moos and baas for them in the pictures… but honestly prefers the trucks and tractors to any adorable furry creature. Boys will be boys. So, I created a Russian Transport Alphabet for this car-loving gentleman:
Russian Trasport Azbuka

Also, I caved in and started showing him words on the computer instead of cards. It seems to work better with our schedule, and he is a lot more interested. So, here is the file with Russian site words (I create one large file with all the words, and then slowly create small files with 5-7 words, replacing updating them all the time. Use any technique that works for you).
Introductory Words In Russian

• Geography – felt continent map
  Posted on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 in Encyclopedic Knowledge – Comments: (0)
  Our next topic was Geography. For this topic I had to prepare lots of materials, so today I wanted to share the details about one of them: felt continent map. The wonderful idea for this map came from montessorimakers group in Yahoo – thanks to Lisa and Sarah for an inspiration!!!Materials that I used: Hard felt in different colors Blue marker Map file: there are plenty on the web, but I used this one – Large World Map.

• Growing our roots into Botany
  Posted on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 in Encyclopedic Knowledge – Comments: (0)
  We started Botany last month and picked Zoology as our next topic. It really worked well for us to learn their introductory units one by one – so much in common! Though, it stretched a little – holidays, long weekends, flu… but we don’t mind – it is fun! We even have a new PPT presentation about all the things we’ve learned:  Introduction to Biology, Botany and ZoologyOther Categories and how we use these materials.

History, by far, is my own favorite subject. It is truly rare to be able to find information on that subject adapted to younger kids, so these gorgeous presentations wonderfully fill the gap. I truly love how in these presentations A.P.P. is bringing a historical perspective to the subjects that are dear to every kids heart – such as sports, reading, and writing. Thanks to A.P.P. for sharing!

• Encyclopedic Knowledge – History: Ancient Greek Sports. Thanks to A.P.P.!(1/16/2010)
• Encyclopedic Knowledge – History: The First Nomads Become Farmers. Thanks to A.P.P.!(1/16/2010)
• Encyclopedic Knowledge – History: History writing and archaeology. Thanks to A.P.P.!(1/16/2010)

Wonderful, most wonderful new books by A.P.P. I really loved that this set of presentations helps the young readers with vocabulary and that it has more depth to the Charlotte Web lovers – more information about the pigs, about virtues and vices, and about swans and trumpets. Thanks to A.P.P. for sharing these gems (and many more that are coming over the next couple of days)!!!

• Teach your Baby to Read: Books: Virtues and Vices. Thanks to A.P.P.!(1/16/2010)
• Teach your Baby to Read: Books: Words from Trumpet of the Swan. Thanks to A.P.P.!(1/16/2010)

Single Words, phrases and sentences, to help your baby to learn to read! Enjoy!

• Teach Your Child to read… in English: Introductory Sentences 2 . With illustrations & sounds. (12/21/2009)
• Teach Your Child to read… in English: Couplets 13 . With illustrations & sounds. (12/21/2009)
• Teach Your Child to read… in English: Introductory Single Words – Animals 3 – Coral Reef Sea Animals . With illustrations & sounds. (11/22/2009)

I am reading quite a few Montessori books at the moment. I am looking through the videos. Nevertheless, I have tons of questions and it still is in a bit of a haze! So I decided to try Karen’s course for parents and teachers.

The course is available online only, as a subscription to a WorldWideMontessori Yahoo group: WorldWideMontessori Yahoo.