11. Slide your cards inside.
8. Feed through the laminator. When the pouch has cooled, trim off the excess edges. Be sure to leave a ¼ inch of laminating film around all of the edges of the pouch so that the edges don't split open.
9. Using an exacto knife, carefully slice open the pouch area along the edge of the top flap. Leave about a ½ inch uncut on either side of the pouch opening. When making the cut, do not press to hard or you will cut right through the back side of the pouch - you just want to slice through the thin layer of laminating film.
How to Store Montessori Language Cards
Anyone who is familiar with Montessori knows that there are many cards in the language area. Between the phonetic and phonogram language lessons (Pink Blue Green Series or Step 1 2 3) and the entire grammar section, it's hard to know how to store everything, and it's easy to lose track of all the cards. The question is, how to store Montessori Language cards?
We've shown how to Store our Pink Blue Green Language Series (or Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Language Series). But what about all the extra lessons that don't fit in to those towers? Or all the cards that can't just be put into small baskets or bins? Shelf space is usually pretty tight in most well-equipped Montessori environments.
A simple solution is to make pouches to hold the various cards. They can be sized and color-coded to suit your materials. And, they're inexpensive to make.
You'll need the following materials:
- file folders (any color)
- scissors or paper cutter (we recommend a paper cutter for nice, even cuts)
- glue stick (do not use white craft glue)
- laminating pouches
- laminator
- exacto knife
1. Select a file folder (consider if you want it to be color-coded for the material)
2. Trim off the label portion.
3. Turn it sideways (with the crease at the bottom) and cut it so that it is wide enough for the material.
4. Measure the newly cut file against the cards that will be stored inside it (leave a minimum of 1 inch on other side)
5. Trim the top flap so that the top section of the cards will be visible.
6. Using the glue stick, glue the label for the cards on the top flap of the pouch.
7.Place the file pouch in to the laminating pouch. Cover with the 'carrier' file to prepare for the laminator. A 'carrier' is just like a file folder. The laminating pouch is placed in the carrier before it's fed through the laminator. (Please read the instruction manual that came with your laminator to see if they recommend a 'carrier'. Some laminators are very hot and will melt, burn, or wrinkle the laminating film if you do not use the 'carrier')
10. Gently ease open the pouch opening.