Language

The Montessori language curriculum covers vocabulary development, writing and reading. Montessori children are taught the basic letter sounds through the use of sandpaper letters – these letters are cut from sandpaper and glued to a wooden board.

Tactile learning of how the letter feels is achieved as the child traces a letter. Montessori children also feel if a mistake was made because of the different texture of the sandpaper from the board. As such, they are constructing words with the Montessori moveable alphabet (cut-out letters made from either wood or plastic) before they even learn to read words.

An emphasis is placed on story-writing and grammar in the later years using very tactile Montessori materials.

In a 6-9 Montessori classroom, children use grammar symbols that represent each part of speech and these symbols are placed above particular parts of speech in a sentence.

These symbols are:

Noun - large black triangle
A triangle is used because it represents a very sturdy object and something that is concrete. The triangles are used again with articles and adjectives as they are part of the noun family.
Article - small, light blue triangle
Adjective - medium size, dark blue triangle.
Verb - red rircle
A red circle is used as it represents action. Since the adverb is related to the verb, it also uses a circle.
Adverb - smaller orange circle
Conjunction - pink line
A pink line is used as it represents a ribbon that ties the ideas together.
Preposition - green bridge
A green bridge is used as a preposition connects two nouns together and bridges their relationship.
Interjection - a golden object that looks like an exclamation point or key hole.
Emphasis in a 9-12 Montessori classroom is placed on learning gerunds, abstract nouns, and other more advanced grammar concepts. The materials are similar to the parts of speech symbols used in 6-9 as outlined above with additions.