Because this is still an unusual summer, I designed these cutting strips a bit differently than normal (like I did with the spring cutting strips). They’ll be appropriate any year, but they’re also special “social distancing” cutting strips where each photograph only shows one child outdoors in the summer. As usual, the free summer cutting strips are an instant download … super simple to download and prepare.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Montessori-Inspired Printables at Living Montessori Now
My daughter, Christina (a former Montessori child), and I are partnering to bring you a series of Montessori-inspired printables. (Note: Christina has some sweet, themed kids’ fitness printables that are great for homes or classrooms!)
The printables are typically themed and use a number of Montessori principles (although you don’t need to be a Montessori teacher or homeschooler to use them). The cutting strips use photographs or realistic images to emphasize reality. These cutting strips have photographs of children outdoors in summer. I give more details on the credits page of the printable.
Preschoolers love to learn proper terminology, so I tell you the name of the objects or animals featured whenever I can.
Free Summer Cutting Strips
To download, click here and then click on the file image in the upper right corner of the PDF to save to your computer (just choose where you want it saved).
Montessori-Inspired Activity Using the Summer Cutting Strips
Summer Cutting Strips with Basket
Cutting skills are so important for preschoolers. Two year olds can begin working on them, too. When children are first working on cutting skills, they’ll have an easier time cutting cardstock than paper. So, in the beginning, I recommend printing the strips on cardstock. Printer paper is fine for children with more advanced cutting skills.
I’m not sure where I got the basket, although the small Multicraft tray would work, too. I’ve always liked Fiskar scissors for kids, which are sharp enough to cut paper easily.
For home use with the cutting work, I like to have a small container to catch the paper scraps. I used a small wooden box we had, although you could use any small container. For younger children, I recommend keeping the basket or tray up out of reach when it’s not being used.
For classroom use, you might want to use Ziplock bags to catch the scraps. Children have fun taking their scraps home in a bag … or saving them to paste onto a collage.
More Summer Resources
Amazon Affiliate:
For more Montessori-inspired summer activities, check out these posts with lots of activities and resources:
- Free Summer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Summer Activities
- Free Sun Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable
- Free Summer Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Playdough Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Activities for Casey at the Bat
- Top 10 Summer Themes for Preschoolers
- 20 Outdoor Phonics Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}
- Montessori Nature Tray with Vocabulary – Parts of the Plant
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities (an especially helpful post if you’re looking for a variety of summer themes)
- How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Tea Party Picnic
- How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Teddy Bear Picnic
- 50+ Creative Ways to Use Materials Found on Your Nature Walks
- Free Summer Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Summer {Free Printables}
- Montessori Summer Resources for Classroom or Home
- Fun with Montessori-Inspired World Travel Activities and Games
- Free Travel Printables and Montessori-Inspired Travel Activities
- Summer Fun Pinterest Board
Don’t miss our themed monthly packs! You’ll get the link and password for the Living Montessori Now subscriber library with the current pack and all the past monthly packs if you subscribe to the Living Montessori Now weekly newsletter!
The Best Way to Begin Working on Scissor Cutting Skills
Even before using cutting strips, I recommend using an easier object to cut, such as strings of beads. You’ll find lots of tips and ideas for teaching scissor skills in my post on developing scissor cutting skills with Montessori-inspired activities.
More Montessori-Inspired Paper Cutting Activities
You’ll find ideas for home and classroom setups in my post on Montessori-inspired paper cutting activities.
All Our Free Themed Cutting Strips
I’ve arranged the following gallery in alphabetical order. Just click on an image to go to the post with the related free printable!
You can see all our free cutting strips with the latest at the top here.
I hope your child (or students) enjoys using the cutting strips. 🙂
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
The Montessori at Home! eBook and Montessori at Home! eBook and Materials Bundle are AMAZING resources! You can learn more about them here. Buy them in the Living Montessori Now shop.
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