When I first learned Montessori Geography, I often got stuck. Okay, pull the puzzle pieces out, put them back in, place them on the control map, put them back in the template…then what? Soon I discovered the amazingness of Montessori geography extensions with the maps. The greatest part about extensions is that the map work can grow with the child. So, work for a three year old may be sufficient at the puzzle piece placements, whereas a five year may need more.
Montessori Geography Extensions
- Trace the control map only
- Trace the control map, then use colored pencils to color according to Montessori maps color scheme and cut or pin poke map out, then staple or paper hole punch to “sew” {with yarn} the two halves together
- Trace the continent pieces
- Trace and then pin poke the continent pieces
- Pin poke or cut each continent and the two halves of the round earth with construction paper, glue the continent onto the blue round earth pieces, then staple or paper hole punch and “sew” {with yarn} the two halves together
- For each of the above stuff with tissue paper to simulate a globe. Children get the direction connection of a flat map to a sphere shaped earth.
- Trace the map and use colored tissue paper to match each continent. Pinch the tissue paper and glue onto the map.
- Trace the continents and two halves of the earth with a white colored pencil onto a large enough piece of black construction paper, then pin poke. Display on a window and let the light shine through the paper.
- Use water colors to paint the map
- Use chalk pastels to color the map
My Favorite Montessori Geography Resources
- Land Forms Books
- Montessori Map Work Book
- Continent Book Set
- Continent Critters Set
- Beginner World Atlas
- Montessori World Continent Puzzle
- My First Book of Land Forms
- Sandpaper Land Form Cards
- Montessori Color Continent Globe
Do you have any favorite map extensions? Please share! Also, check out these Geography posts:
- Teaching Geography to Preschoolers {Land Forms}
- Preschool Geography {Clouds}
- Preschool Geography {Air}
- Preschool Geography {Land, Air, Water}
- Preschool Geography {Land Forms}
- The Continents
Marnie
