Metal Insets -Montessori Language

The Montessori Metal Insets consist of ten flat metal squares, in each of the squares is a metal shape cut-out. The shape cut-outs are the same as the shapes found in other Montessori materials such as the geometric cabinet. The Metal Insets are accompanied by colour pencils, white square paper, and a tray specifically designed to hold the paper and insets.
Materials

– Two stands with a slopping back and a narrow cornice at the bottom on which rest ten metal frames with matching metal insets. The square frames are pink and the insets are blue. In the corner of each inset is a knob by which to hold it.
– The insets are square, triangle, circle, rectangle, oval, trapezoid, pentagon, curvilinear triangle, and quatrefoil. They are exactly the same measurements as the wooden insets of the geometric cabinet.
– Boards which are 14cm x 14cm.
– A plentiful supply of white and colored paper, which is the same size as the frames and boards.
– Colored pencils in pencil holders.
– Box for finished work.

Presentation

Assemble the material: the tray, the pad or board placed on the left side of the tray, place the paper onto the pad, choose an inset and place it on the right part of the tray, place the frame on top of the paper and the inset inside of the frame, and choose a pencil holder.
Place the pencil holder on the right side of the tray and then choose two pencils.
Bring material to the table.
Teacher will demonstrate: take the pencil holder with the pencils out, take out the inset and place it to the right of the tray, place the frame to the right of the paper, take the paper and board and place it in front of you.
And finally, place the frame on top of the paper.

Select a color pencils, and show the child that we start the tracing at the bottom of the frame while holding the frame steady with your left hand.
Then trace around the frame, making sure the pencil touches each corner and changes direction each time.

Replace the pencil, put frame on tray, and observe the square that was drawn.
Cover the square with the inset, use the other color pencil and trace around the inset, keeping the point of the pencil always against the inset and changing directs.
Replace inset on try.

Set the finished inset drawing to the side, place materials in front of child, ask child to draw the double outline.
Child does as shown by the directress.
The child can be encouraged to repeat on the backside of the paper.
Child’s finished product has name and date written on it.
Tell child to place finished work in the box.
The child is encouraged to take another piece of paper and to continue the work.
Once finished, put work away.
Replace the pad, with the frame, then inset into frame, pencil and pencil holder to the right.
Exercice 

Choose one inset and trace it in three different directions.
Fill in one of them in completely in one color.
Fill in the rest of the second with the second color pencil.
Fill in what is left of the third with the third color pencil.

Purpose

Direct
To acquire mastery of the hand in using a writing instrument.
Direct preparation for writing ONLY.

Indirect
To learn to make designs

Control of Error
To keep within the outlines.