{Made For Learning} A Moveable Alphabet
Moveable Alphabets are one of the most important (and fun-to-use) tools in a Montessori-style schoolroom. At least, that’s how our family feels about them. And they are easy and fun to make at home. Here’s how::
Sort your letters - vowels from consonants. If you wish, put half of your "Y" s in each pile.
Gesso, and two different colours of paint. I chose blue and red because they are more traditionally Montessori style (pink in place of red also works). You choose whichever colours you like.
Paint each letter with a coat of gesso and allow to dry. The gesso comes right off of the brush with warm, soapy water.
Paint two coats of coloured paint on each letter. Blue for vowels...
... and red for the consonants. Next, apply two coats of varnish. You will need to wait a minimum of one hour between coats.
A purpose-made or purchased box is best for storage, but something like this little box with a clasp will do for a time. You really do want something that will allow you to keep each letter separate... Like with like. I'll show you how to make a proper storage box in an upcoming tutorial.
Scrabble™ Tiles also make excellent upper case moveable alphabets – and it’s a great way to recycle! You can also purchase blank tiles from Etsy – purchase alphabet transfers in the scrapbooking supply section of your craft store. Simple varnish over the top, or apply a couple of layers of Mod Podge.
Your kids will be saying this about you, too. (Thanks, Will!)
Resources:
Cut out wood letters available for just under $12 for each set of upper or lower case letters. I suggest 1/8″ thick baltic birch letters in Arial, (Garamond and Rockwell are also available) – 2″ tall by 2″ wide. {These are my favourite ones, but more expensive}
Cut wood letters sold in packs of 36 are available at Michael’s crafts (and probably at Hobby Lobby) for about $4/pack. I bought four packs.
Scrabble letters are available on Etsy, and eBay, and can also be found at neighbourhood yard sales, flea markets, and car boot sales.
– Because I remember Julia Child so fondly. It was she (through her PBS series) and my Nana who first taught me to cook. This looks like a lovely living picture book for my little ones
– Gorgeous illustrations, classic French tale.
– So appropriate with the Olympic Games in London next month. Lots of sweet illustrations and historical/factual tidbits sprinkled throughout.
– Because the lyrics quite wonderfully tell a fantastic story, and the illustrations are adorable. This volume came with a music CD, which may please parents of a certain age… 🙂
– Because Voltaire’s wit delivered so subtly is precisely what I need for long sunny days in a hammock (if I had one to swing in). A sunny window will also do nicely.
– Another story from the Salem Witch Hysteria, a topic that interests our family enormously since a branch of my Nana’s tree (Towne) descends from the brother of THREE women accused, tried, and convicted in 1692. Only one, Sarah Cloyes, survived. 
– Apropos of these times, I think.
– I have been meaning to read this book for ages. We could all awaken more to kindness and the value of life.
– On the recommendation of farming friends who were surprised that I hadn’t read it yet. Now that diaconate classes are done, I have some time!
– Can you believe that I didn’t own a copy? Time to get one of our own and introduce my older children. Also seems somehow appropriate to current events.
– Another one that friends have been encouraging me to read over the years. I have picked it up at the books store more than once in the interim. This time it landed inside the basket instead of back on the shelf.
– This was chosen primarily for William, by Carrie. He loves history, geography, and factual tidbits. I’m looking forward to hearing him narrate back to me what he reads.
