LA 7.06Grammar Symbols: Introduction
The child learns the Montessori symbol for each part of speech already known (noun, article, adjective, verb) and places symbols above words in phrases.
Presentation
- 1
Lay out a noun slip "cow." Place the black triangle above it and say, "This is the symbol for a noun."
- 2
Explain briefly: "The noun symbol is a large black triangle. It is based on the pyramid, because nouns name things that have weight and size."
- 3
Add "the" before "cow." Place the small light blue triangle above it: "This is the symbol for the article."
- 4
Add "black" and place the medium dark blue triangle: "the adjective."
- 5
Use a slip like "The cow runs." and place the red circle above "runs": "The verb is the action; its symbol is a red circle."
- 6
Mix the symbols and invite the child to place them over a new phrase.
- 7
Check together, reading each word and naming its part of speech.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Symbolizing phrases from the grammar boxes or sentence strips
- Drawing symbols above words in their own writing with a stencil
- Symbolizing a sentence from a book
Control of error
The adult; later, prepared phrase cards with symbols on the back.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Names the part of speech for each of the four symbols
- Places the correct symbols above a four-word phrase
Guide note
Symbols may also be introduced one at a time as each part of speech game is given; this work gathers them together.