Geography box-Montessori style

I have posted a whole ditty about the Montessori Geography box I have been working on. You can read about it over on my main blog:  Homeschooling on a Wing and a Prayer.

Making activity component/ trinket boxes [for Montessori works, hands-on-activities] out of food boxes

So what does one do with all those little pieces or parts that are a must when using Montessori works [aka: a specific activity meant to teach something], or some matching activity or whatever it is you have that will need to be contained?  What can you use that keeps them all nice and tidy and looks good too?

Well, being frugal is always a great way to start. So you search your humble abode, and perhaps even ask friends/family for those particular boxes that once housed delicate chocolates or sugar packs. Then you scrounge thru your various scrapbooking paper, collect glue, scissors, a bowl and a brush and you get busy. And that is exactly what I have done lately.  Whenever we get (usually a gift) those nice quality chocolates, I always save the boxes.  My husband actually found one I tucked away and he had the nerve to pitch it.  I gasped in horror and immediately plucked it from its demise.  Thankfully there wasn't anything in the trash yet so it was safe from grossness, and I must say-he won't make that mistake again. The shocked look from such outlandishness across my dazed face surely left a lasting impression on him. LOL

Anyhoo-the reason I am posting this because there are times folks need a box or something to hold those little goodies. So why pay a lot of cashola for something you can make?  I don't know why you would.  I try my best re-purpose things when I can; this is a fun, creative way to get a few storage boxes that are sturdy and useful for our schooling needs.


Now I do not have a canister of Modge Podge about the house, so I did what any frugal gal would-I made the 'poor man's version' of it using Elmer's Glue and water to thin it.  Worked like a charm!
Figured I would just do a picture tutorial (for those who have never tried such things) and put a wee comment under when necessary.  Hope this helps you out.

The Basics:

Find a piece of scrapbook paper that appeals to you. I recommend using the thinner style. Then figure out there the lid fits best-allowing for enough paper to cover up over the sides and slightly over into the inside edge.

 Cut to the area where the corners meet

-but not too far in as you can always fix as you go.

 Put a nice, but not too heavy layer of glue down on the

 lid then lay down in the center area of your paper.

 Flip over and use one of those handy-dandy Pampered Chef  

scrapers (or a soft edged tool) to get rid of any air bubbles.

 Glue, fold and press out any bubbles, along all sides.

 Trim off any excess and tuck the corners in nicely.  Try not to over do it on the inside because the extra bulk may prevent the lid from going over the bottom.

Let dry thoroughly. I actually did two coats.  

Very smooth and durable.

And there ya go-

 

Now I have a lovely box to contain language materials.  And hey, if it gets crushed-well I am out like 30 cents.  Not too shabby!  :)

Craft Idea: Reindeer Candy Canes

I am sure this is nothing new in the crafting world-but it is adorable.  Just pop the book (Lisa's or the one on the Candy Cane) and the supplies into the workbox and then you'll have a lovely family activity!  (not the glue gun if you will be using that)

image from Amazon.com

Using Lisa Whelchel's ADVENTure of Christmas book as our jumping off point (on the history of the candy cane) we made these puppies or shalt I say deersies (? new word there for ya)...they are really easy too.

No candy cane deer was injured during the posing of this picture, neither was it strangled by the string. 

This is actually hanging from one of those magnetic hooks and let me tell ya, these are awesome. Before getting them, I had that hook thing you hang on the door, the one where part of it hooks to the top of the door and that caused the weather stripping to gap letting in cold air.  Plus, these won't hurt the paint on the door.  I am so excited to have our wreath hanging on our front door without all the annoyances those hooks caused.  This is a spare and I put it up on the inside of the door-made for a great photo op here. :)

Supplies needed:

Red and white candy canes (we only had these green/red ones to use during this session, but will be using red/white for the additional ones we'll make this weekend) 

Pipe Cleaners/Fuzzy Stix (Meijer's brand is called this) -One per deer [18"] (now Lisa says to use 2 but we only used one-and it looks just fine)

Wiggly Eyes (we have colored ones but black eyed ones are good too) obviously 2 per critter

Ribbon (about 8" per deer)

Small Pom-Poms (I found red ones in a package of at least 30 or so in it-I believe at JoAnns but any craft store should have these, black would be cute too)

Glue (I used a glue gun but will use tacky glue when we do this with the little kiddos, we didn't find the glue melting the wrapper so as long as the tip doesn't touch the stuff, it should work OK)

Scissors

Directions:

Basically, glue the eyes and nose on the front hook part of it.  Tie a bow around the neck area.  Cut the pipe cleaner in half.  Twist one half around and form antlers. Cut the second section into two parts, twist each half onto the straight antler parts.  We manipulated the pipe cleaner a bit to better resemble antlers.  

Story behind it:

This is the shortened version of it:  A candy maker decided to make candy sticks for the babies/toddlers to suck on to keep them quiet/non-fussy.  Then in the 1670s a choirmaster decided to angle them into shepherds crooks, again this was used to keep the little ones quiet.  And, after all shepherds use crooks to herd their sheep and Jesus is called our Shepherd in the Bible.  Then later on, hundreds of years later (or so it is told) a candy maker in Indiana decided to add the thick red stripe to remind folks of Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross,  Then smaller ones were added to symbolize the lashes Jesus received prior to being hung on the cross.  The white color is to remind children that Jesus lived a life without sin.   The peppermint was added to mimic hyssop which is a  plant that was used in Old Testament times for sacrifices.  Obviously, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for mankind by defeating death and bearing our sins on the cross.  Apparently, the hardness of the candy mimics the fact that Jesus is our Rock of Salvation.  Awesome heh?  Oh yea, turn the candy cane upside down and you have yourself a "J"...which is another way to remember Jesus.  This is a cute and tasty treat that opens the door to sharing with family and friends, what Jesus did for us some 2000 years ago.  

There is also a great book that explains the candy cane-we read that last year when we did the Christmas Lapbook:  The Legend of the Candy Cane (which you can find the mini-books to on Homeschool Share) It was written by Lori Walburg.

Legend of the Candy Cane LPBK

Enjoy!!!

Some fun historical goodies to pop into a workbox

 Look at these neat project packs!

I put this in my teen's box-it required sewing this together and I wasn't sure if the boy could do it-besides, she begged to do this one!

Our little corn lady is uh-naked, as we still need to sew her apron and hat...LOL That is her fancy material behind her...now to just get some sewing done and she won't be so "out there"...

so I received these goodies to review for the TOS Review Crew (I am the head First Mate on this so I received all of em-whhoooot)...and thought I would share how neat these are for tossing into the ole workboxes.

We are covering American History right now, and so these are rather timely!  So far, my son has painted and assembled his Tomahawk, helped with the corn doll (which is definitely one where you need two people), and the teen has stitched up the coin purse and (as pictured) the fringe purse.  They really have enjoyed making these!  We will work on the quilt next week, since it requires a bit more time and energy...but when we are done, we'll have some very cute items to remember this period in time.

You can always add such things to the workboxes and the kids will totally dig them-even if they usually don't like this sort of thing. It certainly will add some new, exciting things to do- and it meets the "handiworks" requirement that Charlotte Mason strongly encouraged the children to be exposed to and do.

You can see the great products that the Corps of Re-Discovery company has to offer, and take a look at the other goodies too! I am seriously pondering that Quill Pen and Paper kit!

Enjoy!

**OK, this is not a review per say, but it should be duly noted that I did receive these products for free, from the Corps of Re-Discovery company-to enjoy and use with my fam.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post or for my opinion of them.  It is what it is-fun stuff to put into your child's workbox to serve as hands-on projects, for their history curriculum.