Montessori Wrapping Blocks

STEM Lesson Plans

Montessori Lesson Plans

Toddler Lesson Plans

Activity:  

Montessori Wrapping Blocks

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

Age Group:

• ​​Toddler

Objectives:  

Children will: ​

• practice problem-solving skills while wrapping building blocks in foil.

Montessori Wrapping Blocks

CDA Competency Standard:

II.5.2a

• Activities and equipment stimulate children’s thinking and problem-solving.

a) Activities and equipment provide a variety of opportunities for cognitive development

Materials: 

• hot glue gun
• clear plastic plates (we used 2 clear plastic container lids instead)
• dried beans
• beads
• cut straws
• corn meal

Procedure: 

• Arrange the materials in a shallow basket or tray and allow children to use them to wrap the blocks in foil.
  
• Children may need a demonstration beforehand.
  
• Encourage children to build with the wrapped blocks and also point out the differences between the dull wooden blocks and the shiny tin foil.

Assessment: 

• Observe and record the children’s experience with the materials. 

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What does STEM stand for?

Science
​Science is the study of the natural world and all of its laws which includes biology, physics and chemistry. The most important aspect of the study of science is that the use of facts, concepts, controls, and tests are used to prove or disprove scientific theories with evidence. Over time, these scientific theories may be elaborated, further studied, or connected to new or different ideas. Science is always changing, but it stays factual and evidence-based no matter what.

Technology​
​Technology is an entire system that encompasses the knowledge, processes and devices that have been used for various purposes throughout history. We often think of technology as things like computers, but in reality, technology is a tool. Arrowheads used by Native American hunters are an artifact of technology. Likewise, the process of creating those arrowheads is technology; it is a technological process.​

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​Engineering
​Engineering is the study of the design and creation of products as a result of solving problems. Engineering encompasses math, science, and technology as well as other skills. It is a valuable subject to learn and experience. Teaching engineering is teaching the process of designing and building something that is needed. You can also think of it as the process of creating those pieces of technology that are critical to serving a purpose or meeting a need.

​Math​
​Mathematics, or math, is the study of numbers. This includes patterns, equations, systems, and shapes. These are integral parts to the early childhood classroom. The study of math links many different subjects together and can be seen in the natural world as well as in the manmade world. This makes it such an important subject to learn and be comfortable with.