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June 2, 2010. Volume 6, edition 29.  UMA. all rights reserved.  Follow us:   
May's Contest Winner!

Laura MacIntyre, director of 12 Bridges Montessori School  in Lincoln, CA is the winner of this month's contest - Geography theme. She wins a $50 Amazon.com gift coupon. Congratulations, Laura!

Curriculum Area: Geography
Title of Lesson: Australian Animal Matching
Age Group: 3-5 yrs.
Direct Aim: Use the Animals of Australia to Introduce the Continent of Australia.

Materials:

1. Photos of Australian Animals
2. Basket with Matching animal figures














                         















Brief Steps in Presentation:

1. Place mat on floor.
2. Explain that these animals are from Australia.
3. Pick up picture of animal
4. Say the name of the animal
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all pictures are laid out on mat
6. Pick up first animal figure
7. Say the name of the animal
8. Match the animal to the appropriate photo
9. Place animal below the photo.
10. Repeat steps 8 & 9 until all animals are laid out on mat

Variations/Extensions: Use a different continent

Laura used natural materials such as a wooden tray, a basket, and a woven mat. Her photos were clear and the picture cards realistic. Plus, the animal figures matched the pictures very well. The placement of the cards and figures were in a proper left-to-right order on the tray. She also used a "Montessori-friendly" font for easy letter recognition. Well done, Laura...this activity looks attractive and inviting!
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World Environment Day, June 5th- that's this Saturday!

What are you are doing to help create awareness, at home or in your classroom? How do you help instill personal responsibility... if even in small ways?

Send UMA your ideas by filling out this form.  We will post it to the blog.

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

For more information, go their website at: http://www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/tips.asp
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