How to Present the Smooth and Rough Boards – Montessori Sensorial Lesson (AMI Approach)

SMOOTH AND ROUGH BOARD Materials from: https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/rough-... Material: Four rectangular boards. The first is divided into 2 equal squares. One is covered with sandpaper and the other is highly polished wood or smooth paper. The second is divided into 10 partitions and covered alternately with sandpaper and smooth wood. The third board has a gradation from rough to roughest, and the fourth board has gradations of smoothness. To sensitize fingers: A wide-mouthed small thermos filled with warm water. A supply of terry cloths for drying the fingertips briskly. A tray which holds all of the material on a shelf where the child may come to stand while softening fingertips. Presentation: Invite a child Introduce the name of the activity Show the child how to bring the 2 boards together Have the child bring the two boards (the one with two divisions and ten divisions) to the table in front of the child and stay standing up Tell the child that for this activity we need a blindfold, tissue and we need to sensitize our hand Go together with the children to get the blind fold and tissue and put them on the table on the top right Go together to a counter, invite the child to wash his hands to sensitize: Open the thermos, dip the fingers tips into the warm water for few seconds and rub your finger tips on the towel, do the same with both hands. Invite the child to do the same. Close the thermos Go back to the table and sit down Take one board with two divisions , the other board facing down on top right corner of the table, with open eyes feel the board (smooth side) with four fingers tips very gently slide your finger down, lift your hand lightly and start again, do more than three. Quietly. Now look away and touch the board 4 times with four fingers, then tell the child you are going to close your eyes, close your eyes and do the same. Quietly. Invite the child to feel that side Do the same with the rough side Close your eyes: tell the child that you are going to close your eyes and feel the surface and say “smooth” for four times on each surface Invite the child to repeat Do the same with rough side Place the two division board to the upper right on the table Take the other board Tell the child that you are going to do this one with eyes closed and two fingers Close your eyes and start feel along the strips with two fingers. Slide your fingers one time and say smooth, Slide your finger one time and say rough. Invite the child to do the same Show how to prepare the blind fold Take the blind fold and put the tissue (so the child’s eyes will not touch the blind fold) Put on the blind fold Do the same manner with the two boards When he finish or the following day, Invite him to work with other boards Language: Rough & Smooth * Plus comparatives & superlatives We give the language at the same time during presentation when we say “smooth” or “rough”. Control of error : Within the child and his ability to discriminate the texture Direct Purpose: Refinement of tactile sense Control of muscular movement to the lightness of touch Refinement the movement of the wrist Indirect Purpose: Indirect preparation for writing Age: 3