Preparations for the First Great Lesson!

I finished my charts for the First Great Lesson!

Cartelón 1A | Chart 1A Comparación del tamaño del sol con el de la Tierra (en la esquina derecha abajo) Comparison of the size of the sun with Earth (in the bottom right-hand corner)

Chart 1A
Comparison of the size of the sun with Earth (in the bottom right-hand corner)

In Elementary Montessori, for ages 6-12, the Great Lessons are the structure of the entire curriculum. The first one, called “God with No Hands”, is the creation story. Though it mentions God, it is not exactly a religious story, and is used in all Montessori schools, even public ones. It can be changed a bit to conform to the beliefs of the teacher, or as she (or he) should be called in Montessori terms, the guide.

Cartelón 2A | Chart 2A El baile de los elementos, los calientes subiendo y los fríos bajando The dance of the elements, with the hot ones rising and the cold ones falling

Chart 2A
The dance of the elements, with the hot ones rising and the cold ones falling

The presentation consists of the story, told dramatically, several experiments that demonstrate scientific laws introduced in the story, and posters that illustrate ideas presented in the story. It is a very exciting presentation for the children, and also for the guide!

Los volcanes y las nubes | The volcanoes and the clouds Caos en la Tierra, con una espuma formándose, y los elementos calientes atrapados saliendo repentinamente Chaos on the newly formed earth, as a skin forms on the surface, and hot elements trapped inside burst out

The volcanoes and the clouds
Chaos on the newly formed earth, as a skin forms on the surface, and hot elements trapped inside burst out

Ideally, this story is told to the children on the very first day of class. Since this presentation requires quite a bit of preparation, and as we switched to Montessori mid-year, it didn’t work out that way for us. We’ve had to wait until I was ready! But it is very important to present the Great Lessons as soon as possible in the 6-12 classroom.

Los volcanes y el agua Volcanoes and Water La Tierra tranquilizándose, preparándose para la próxima etapa de la creación Earth calming down, and preparing for the next stage in creation

Volcanoes and Water
Earth calming down, and preparing for the next stage in creation

I will tell you more about the story and the presentation soon; for now, I’ll show you the other materials I’ve prepared!

Materials for the first demonstration on the three states of matter

Materiales para la segunda demostración de las leyes de atracción de las partículas Materials for the second demonstration on the laws of attraction for particles

Materials for the second demonstration on the laws of attraction for particles

Materiales para la tercera demostración de cómo se mueven las partículas de un liquid Materials for demonstration three on how the particles of a liquid move

Materials for demonstration three on how the particles of a liquid move

Materiales para la cuarta demostración, del efecto del calor en los estados de material Materials for the fourth demonstration, on the effect of heat on the states of matter

Materials for the fourth demonstration, on the effect of heat on the states of matter

Vista más cercana de materiales de la cuarta demostración: hierro, soldadura, y cera Close-up of the fourth demonstration's materials: iron, solder, and paraffin wax

Close-up of the fourth demonstration’s materials: iron, solder, and paraffin wax

Materiales para el quinto demostración, el volcán, utilizando dicromato de amonio y sulfur para una explosion impresionante Materials for the fifth demonstration, the volcano, using ammonium dichromate and sulphur for an impressive explosion

Materials for the fifth demonstration, the volcano, using ammonium dichromate and sulphur for an impressive explosion

Hay que tener una tacita de metal en el cráter del volcán para poder usar las sustancias químicas. El volcán fue pintado de 5 capas de poliuretano para poder limpiar las sustancias químicas, también. You must use a metal cup in the mouth of the volcano in order to use the chemicals. The volcano has also been painted with five coats of polyurethane in order to be able to clean up those chemicals.

You must use a metal cup in the mouth of the volcano in order to use the chemicals. The volcano has also been painted with five coats of polyurethane in order to be able to clean up those chemicals.