Silly Three Period Lesson Ideas

Koko is easy to charm and when she's not in a bad funk, we actually are goofy hams. She responds to music and plain ole silliness. I managed to teach her the Montessori phonetic alphabet by placing the sandpaper letters on the ground in fast succession to the beat of my version of an old Milax commerical. But somehow, the letter blends did not click. Then I heard about the "Three Period Lesson."

For example, showing the manipulative to her, you would say,"This is 'Ta'. Repeat after me."
And the same with the other manipulative"This is 'Ca'. Repeat after me."

Period Two: You do interactive activities with the two.

For example: "Touch 'Ta'"
"Where's 'Ca'?"
Hide one of the two with the palm of your hand and ask, "Which one is missing?"

And my silly additions:
Touch it (the manipulative) with your hair.
Touch it with your toe.
Tickle it.
Touch it with your hand shadow.
Kiss it.

It can get very funny. I guess this wouldn't work too well in a class setting because of noise control regulation, but it definitely works well at home!

And, of course, period Three:

Showing the two manipulatives, ask the child, "What is this?" And if the child can answer correctly, she has learned the concepts. If not, you go on your merry way and on another day return for more silly two period lessons.
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