Lentil Pouring

Incorporating Montessori Elements

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

Activity:  

Lentil Pouring
Practical Life Skills

Age Group:

Preschool
Special Needs

Objectives:  

Children will:

• apply fine motor skill practice to strengthen skills.

CDA Competency Standard:   

II.4.2a

Lentil Pouring

• Activities and materials encourage children of varying abilities to develop their small muscles

a)    Individual fine motor skills are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities

Materials: 

• tray
• lentils, beans, beads
• small pitcher
• small bowl

Procedure: 

• Fill one small pitcher with lentils, beans or beads.
• Place pitcher and a small bowl inside of a shallow tray.
• Give children a brief demonstration and explanation of how to pour the contents into the bowl slowly without spilled.
  
• Be sure to explain the purpose of this activity, which is to strengthen their fine-motor skills and to practice real-life skills.
• Place the tray with contents on an appropriate shelf in your classroom for the children to use independently.

Assessment: 

• Observe and record any improvement in the children’s fine-motor skills with the pouring and handling of the contents on the tray.

* When children are able to pour the contents successfully, use a larger pitcher instead and continue to observe and record their progress.

Montessori Basics

Maria Montessori was a pioneering educator, physician, and visionary in Italy during the late 1800s. She studied medicine and psychiatry, and was eventually selected as a co-director at a school for special education. During her time there, she was able to use her knowledge along with much scientific research and observation to develop a new method of classroom instruction. By 1910, the Montessori Method was a widespread success, and continues to this day, worldwide.