the butterfly game

Wow have things been busy... I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the AMS conference in Chicago this past weekend and the experience was amazing. There's something to be said to be surrounded by 3,000 fellow Montessorians who believe in and share the same philosophy of teaching as you do! (and who feel as strongly about Maria Montessori as you do!)

Let's just say the whole weekend was filled with amazing energy.

But let's get to the purpose of this post! I wanted to share with you a new, creative way to work with the short bead stair in your classroom that I learned from my current lead.

It is a game that's played by two children and the purpose is to fill both 'butterfly wings' with a complete set of the short bead stair (1-10).

I drew a simple butterfly (with triangles as wings large enough to fit the complete bead stair)on 2 pieces of felt. Each child gets a butterfly and a bowl with 2 sets of bead stairs.

Taking turns, the child rolls two dice. The child then counts the dots on dice and places corresponding bead bars on their butterfly. 

They have the option to take the sum of the dice or split it up. For example if the child rolls a 2 and a 1, they can have a 2 and 1 bead bar or  a 3 bead bar. 

They continue the game until one child fills both butterfly wings. Towards the end of the game the child may roll a number but won't be able to place any bead bars. They just pass their turn and try again next time! 

You can alter this game to make it easier/more difficult depending on the age and capabilities of the child. We added a different set of dice (to make it more challenging for the kindergartners!)

dancing fairies

So with a new room nearing the future I have been constantly (day & night) thinking of everything that needs to get done/made for it to be a success! and better yet, for it to be a reflection of me! I want my room to feel warm and be a welcoming, organized, colorful-but not over stimulating, simple environment. Does that make any sense?!


Since I am a newbie, my stash of classroom goodies is quite limited. I am still working on building up a good amount of items and I am always on the lookout for new treasures. Since I love to try new crafts, I decided to make some art to decorate the classroom for next year. I searched online for different ideas and came across a colorful fairy mobile... how montessori right!! I thought of finding the materials needed myself at the local craft store, but realized that this kit had it all! How perfect and definately reasonably priced. I ordered it and a few days later it was waiting on my doorstep!

everything you need!

It took me a few nights to complete, but the whole process was pretty simple (and of course fun). I stuffed each satin square with a ball of wool and tightened around it with craft floss.

Once all of the satin squares were transformed into fairies, I threaded gold thread (cut at varying lengths) through the tops of their heads. I then had to decide the color pattern- do I go with a traditional rainbow-type pattern or do I mix it up a bit.... I decided to go with the traditional rainbow-type pattern. The rainbow is loved by all children and I thought if I mixed up the colors it might confuse my kids!!

Once the pattern was chosen I began hanging....which was the most difficult part of the whole process. Making sure they hung at differend lengths was a bit tricky- especially since they gave me JUST enough gold thread to finish the deal. I messed up cutting one and ended up having to split another piece of thread into two pieces to make it work! But low and behold I finished and it came out perfect! I can't wait to hang it up in it's new home <3

my dancing fairies

a close up view of how they hang from wooden ring