5. Trim around each card.
- be sure to leave about a ¼ inch of laminate around each edge of the cards. This will help to ensure the laminate does not open and peel off the card
This method is fine for materials that will not be used excessively, or for older children who are more aware of the care and handling of materials. This method does not leave a laminated edge around the cards.
2. Cut out each card and label (we highly recommend using a paper cutter).
- use a glue stick (not white craft glue) to adhere your cards and labels on to cut cardstock
- leave a nice border around each edge
3. Place your glued cards into your laminate pouch.
- be sure to leave adequate space between each card so that the laminate will seal and you can leave an edge of laminate around each card
4. Trim around each card.
1. Print your file on to cardstock.
- we recommend a minimum of 65lb cardstock, but 110lb is best as you are relying on the thickness and durability of it for long term use.
2. Cut out each picture card and label.
- you can choose to "code" the set on the back of each card wither by colors, shapes, stickers, etc.
- we've coded this set with a red dot on the back of each one
5. Trim around each card.
- be sure to leave about ¼ inch of laminate around each edge of the cards (this will help to ensure the laminate does not open and peel off the card)
Method #2 - Print the pictures on cardstock and leave a laminate edge.
1. Print your file onto cardstock.
- we recommend a minimum of 65lb cardstock, but 110lb is best as you are relying on the thickness and durability for long-term use.
1. Print your file on to regular printer paper.
Prepare Montessori 3-Part Cards
A fully prepared Montessori environment is a goldmine of 3-part cards. From enrichment of vocabulary in language to nomenclature, art cards, and land and water forms in geography. Three-part cards are found in virtually every area of the Montessori environment. You can learn how to Use Montessori 3-Part Classified Cards, and 3-Part Nomenclature Cards in our tutorials. But before you can use them you need to know how to prepare Montessori 3-Part Cards.
Color-coding is Essential
With so many sets of 3-part cards, it's important to keep them organized. You certainly don't want 'farm animals' showing up in the 'land and water forms' set! This can be accomplished by backing the cards on to colored cardstock, or by marking the backs of the cards of each set with a 'code' - either by color, letter, number, shape, etc. It's completely up to the teacher to decide how best to tackle the 'code', however make sure you use something that the children will be able to understand as they're the ones who are suppose to be able to keep the materials in order.
You will find a huge selection of 3-part cards in our store and so we want to help make it easier for you to prepare all these cards. There are 3 different ways to prepare the cards. We give you 3 options so that you can decide which is best for your particular environment and child situation (the more children that will be using the cards means they need to be made to endure their use).
Method #1 - Back the picture on to cardstock and leave a laminate edge.
This method is best for materials that are going to take years of use by many, many children. It is more time consuming, however the results are well worth it. A 5mil laminating film will ensure a very durable card.
4. Feed the pouch through the laminator and then let it cool.
4. Feed the pouch through the laminator and then let it cool.
This method is good for materials that don't require full color-coding, or for the teacher who wishes to "code" the cards on the back of them.
Method #3 - Print the pictures on cardstock, laminate the entire sheet, then trim the cards.
3. Feed the pouch through the lamintor and then let it cool.
2. Place an entire sheet into your laminate pouch.
3. Place your cards into your laminate pouch.
- be sure to leave adequate space between each card so that the laminate edge will seal, and so that you can leave a laminate edge around each card