Island and Lake

To continue our geography curriculum, we have begun studying land and water forms.  We have presented the children with the forms for lake (an area of water surrounded by land) and island (and area of land surrounded by water).  We do this by presenting a model in which the children can interact.  Our aim is to help the child develop their knowledge of, and interest in, the forms and shapes that land and water can adapt.  As in most Montessori materials, we give a concrete representation of the concept.  We also give the children the vocabulary.  As Montessori (The Absorbent Mind, 2007, pg. 154) said, "We found that our children who had the opportunity of learning these words early, recalled and remembered them easily when they found them later in the ordinary schools... while those children who met them for the first time found it difficult to remember them.  So the logical conclusion is to give scientific names at this age, of 3 to 6 years.  They are not given mechanically of course, but in connection with specially prepared apparatus, so that they are based on real understanding and experience." 

Here a child is pouring water into the lake. 

The child then pours water into the Island form.

We will continue with cape and bay next.