Welcome to The Paper, where the sellers and staff of The Shared Environment share news and feature stories about the marketplace.

The Paper

Bringing Fall Into the Classroom

Bringing Fall Into the Classroom

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment

Flower arranging is a favorite in many Montessori classrooms. Here’s how that same activity carries into the fall season, as children gather pine cones, leaves, and grasses on a nature walk and use them to make their classroom beautiful.

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Morning Routine Cards

Out the Door with Grace

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment 

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to leave, but your child won’t put on their shoes. Then it’s a meltdown over which shoes. Then they want to bring three stuffed animals to school. By the time you’re finally in the car or standing at the classroom door, you’re both in tears.

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Six Buckets: The Story Behind The Shared Environment

Six Buckets: The Story Behind The Shared Environment

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment 

The Shared Environment will multiply the opportunities that Montessorians are already working so hard to offer.

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Easiest Edible Flowers to Grow: Marigold & Nasturtium Tips

Easiest Edible Flowers to Grow: Marigold & Nasturtium Tips

By Matthew Enloe | Cerca Cultivation

This guide covers growing techniques, flavor profiles, and post-harvest care for marigolds and nasturtiums. You’ll learn how to identify healthy seedlings, maximize shelf life, and integrate these flowers into your garden-to-table routine. The focus is on practical, high-yield strategies for home growers.

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Montessori from Birth: Month 12

Montessori from Birth: Month 12

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

One of the most important Montessori materials for this age is a Montessori practical life activity, such as pouring or spooning activities. These activities promote independence, concentration, and fine motor skills, and can be introduced in a structured and simple way.

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Beautiful, Durable, Useful Aprons for Children

Beautiful, Durable, Useful Aprons for Children

By Montessori Beautiful

In Montessori classrooms, every item is designed to be useful and beautiful to a child. Materials are high quality and long-lasting. Moving parts are just tricky enough to present an age-appropriate challenge, while still being manageable.

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Montessori from Birth: Month 11

Montessori from Birth: Month 11

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

At this age, Montessori materials can be used to promote exploration, support language development, and encourage independence.

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Montessori from Birth: Month 10

Montessori from Birth: Month 10

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

Wooden push or pull toys, stacking rings or towers, and simple matching games can become favorites in your home for years to come!

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Learn More About Monarch Readers

Learn More About Monarch Readers

By Sara Cotner of Monarch Readers

We believe that beginning readers deserve phonetically-controlled, beautiful books. While children learn to read, we also want them to learn that reading is fun. Children deserve “mirrors” that help them see the beauty in themselves, as well as “windows” that help them see the beauty in the world around them.

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