You might google "handmade Montessori Materials". There are many pdf files (probably less than $1 each) that can be printed out and laminated for the children to work on independently. Some of them will be particular to Montessori, but some will probably lend themselves to "learning centers". You won't get the beauty of some of the traditional montessori manipulatives, but I can see how something structured like this would be helpful to a new teacher/teacher working with bright to gifted students. Anything to keep them motivated and learning!
http://www.shop.montessoriprintshop.com/Picture-Cards_c150.htm might be a good place to start.
