Books To Cozy Up With This Winter

As winter settles in and we spend a bit more time huddled inside our homes, it makes perfect sense to gather books to read. Whether our young children snuggle up with us as we read to them, or they’re getting a bit older and find a comfy spot to lose themselves in a book, we have titles here for all ages. From board books to YA (and everything in between), we skipped over the books you probably already know and love in an attempt to share some new ones.

Board Books

Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Henke’s books are always charming and so appealing to young readers; Winter Is Here is no exception. Along with Dronzenk’s beautiful illustrations, the text celebrates the simple joys of the season.

Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Richard Jones

As winter approaches, all the animals have different ways of preparing. Fox doesn’t head south, gather nuts, or change out its coat...so what should it do? We love this sweet tale with a focus on nature.

Picture Books

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Campher, illustrated by Kenard Pak

Lina can’t wait to wake up and help her grandmother make stuffed grape leaves, but when she gets up, she discovers a blizzard has covered her city with snow. On the walk over, she thinks about how her grandmother can’t see very well, and she tries to listen to the sounds snow can make. This is a story everyone can enjoy and is sprinkled with Lebanese heritage and tradition.

Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes

Fans of Krommes’ Caldecott winning The House in the Night will adore this gorgeous book. Some winter mornings feel almost magical, and what could be better than a big snowstorm to keep a traveling parent home a bit longer than expected? Full of rich text and cozy illustrations, this is a perfect book for this time of year.

Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Constance R. Bergum

Some of the best picture books blend masterful storytelling with factual information. Children of this age are eager to learn about their world, and often, especially, about animals. While humans enjoy their time above ground during winter, countless creatures are surviving beneath the surface.

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

Grownups, the radio, and the television all say there won’t be snow, but the boy with the dog knows better. One flake becomes two, then three, then more, as the town transitions from an eerie grey into a beautiful blanket of white. Snow is a Caldecott Honor book.

Early Readers and First Chapter Books

A Snowy Day (Ana & Andrew) by Christine Platt, illustrated by Sharon Sordo

A brother and sister enjoy a wholesome winter day together, filled with bundling up to play outside, making a snowman, eating “snow cream”, having grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch, and imagining how their cousins in Trinidad might enjoy the weather.

Henry And Mudge And The Snowman Plan by Cynthia Rylant, illustrations by Suçie Stevenson

If your child enjoys this book, it is just one in a fantastic series! Henry and his dog Mudge hear about a snowman-building contest at the local park. When Henry runs home to tell his dad about it, he finds him painting a green chair and covered in green paint himself. This is hilarious, but it also gives Henry an idea...

Caterflies and Ice (Zoey and Sassafras) by Asia Citro, illustrations by Marion Lindsay

One book in another great series, Zoey always seems to find herself helping out magical creatures. While caterflies may be completely fictional, the way Zoey approaches her problem-solving is anything but. Readers learn how to think like scientists, ask questions, and learn about real topics.

Juvenile and Middle Grade Fiction

The Reindeer Girl by Holly Webb

Another fantastic fiction title that gives readers factual and interesting information! Young Lotta has always enjoyed her Norwegian great-grandmother’s stories. Somehow, one evening, she finds herself immersed in and actually living one of these stories, and she’s suddenly responsible and caring for reindeer. She always hoped for her own adventures, but never dreamed they would be quite like this.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Two main characters - Hazel and Jack - have always been best friends. As we all know, growing up means friendships change, and that transformation can be hard. The pair are now eleven years old, and while it’s common for boys and girls to go their own separate ways at this age, Hazel believes there is more to the story. While she searches for the answer, the two find themselves in a world of fantasy and fairy tales.

Young Adult

Into the Blizzard: Heroism at Sea During the Great Blizzard of 1978 [The Young Readers Adaptation] by Michael J. Tougias

In 1978 a massive blizzard struck New England with a force that has been unmatched since. During the storm a large oil tanker found itself in trouble and called for help. The heroes who rushed to meet them marched straight into the storm, and straight into danger. One book in a series of true rescue stories, this title will keep teens on the edge of their seats while teaching them a bit about history and the power of nature.

Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Andrea Pitzer

William Barents was a sixteenth-century Dutch explorer, who, along with his team, made multiple trips to the Arctic. One of these trips resulted in the crew losing their ship and being forced to spend an entire year attempting to survive on their own in an unforgiving landscape. A perfect pick for lovers of danger and adventure.

How to Encourage Joyful Readers

Proficient reading skills set our children up for success in so many ways. Cultivating a love of joyful reading provides them with a lifetime of inspiration, entertainment, and knowledge.

Do teachers teach kids to read? Of course. What parents do at home plays an enormous role in a child’s perspective and success. Here are our tips to support learning and make reading a positive experience that your child will carry with fondness throughout their lives.

Read to your child - early, often, and as long as they will let you

It’s never too early to begin reading to your child. Even infants benefit greatly from hearing the sound of our voices; listening to spoken language is one of the ways most children learn to speak and communicate with others. The tone of your voice also brings comfort, lends familiarity, and reading together daily can become a special part of a child’s routine.

As infants and toddlers begin to grow, board books are perfect because children can learn to turn the pages themselves without fear of accidentally tearing them. When you read to your child at this age, they will delight in the stories and your voice, but they will also begin to learn how to hold and use a book.

As your child gets older, the types of books you read to them will change, but we advocate for sticking with it as long as they are willing. Many families find they still read to their child into their preteen years and beyond. Even when children get to the point of complete reading independence, it’s still a treat to have someone tell us a story.

Be a reader yourself, and let your child see

For so many of us, reading takes on different roles in our lives at different times. You likely had a time in your life when you read for pleasure, though you may or may not do so now. Some parents would like to read more, but feel like they never have enough time.

Consider this a note of encouragement: you deserve the time to read for yourself. Books enrich our lives. They give us a healthy escape when we need one. They teach us and give us new perspectives.

Even if it’s just for ten minutes a day, carve out some time in your routine to read for yourself. Subtly or not, make sure your child knows you’re doing this. While the reading is for you, you may as well reap the benefits of your child seeing you as a reader. Our children look to us as models; we may as well become the people they need us to be by treating ourselves well.

Celebrate the diversity of books

There are heaps of incredible children’s books out there. You may have a few that hold a special place in your heart from your own childhood. You may want to explore current award winners with your child. There are many new titles that cover a vast array of current important topics. Go ahead and explore these all together. 

Yet another example of ‘follow the child’, your child will develop literary preferences. We think this is great! Find ways to support their book interests, while also introducing them to new authors, genres, and topics. The more they explore, the better.

Keep in mind this also means your child might be interested in books you would never choose for them! Whether you find yourself dreading yet another sparkle princess fairy book or fart-joke-heavy graphic novel, it’s good to find balance. Some books are like candy: it’s great to enjoy them as long as we fill our diet with other more nutrient-dense choices as well. We also believe that any book that makes a child excited to read is a good thing.

Visit your local library regularly

Some books are nice to have on your shelves at home, especially if you plan on rereading them over and over throughout the years. The truth is, however, children can become fairly voracious readers if we provide them with good materials. Regular trips to the library allow them to explore more books than we could ever keep in our homes.

Libraries also provide so much more than just books to borrow. Many have reading programs to encourage children, programming to get them involved with learning and creativity, and lots of other resources that support literacy and parenting. Every library is different, but they all work hard to serve their unique communities.

If you are able, a weekly visit to the library can become a special ritual you create with your child. Perhaps you go every Tuesday after school, or Saturdays before soccer practice. Whatever you decide, it’s something your child will look forward to, and can add to their list of positive associations with books and reading.  

Explore different ways to enjoy literature

Whether your child is a reluctant reader, pre-reader, is differently-abled, or not, audiobooks are a valuable resource. We often speak of the ways technology might level the playing field for everyone, and audiobooks are one option that allow more people to appreciate and engage with literature.

There are many ways to access audiobooks:

• CDs - Often expensive to purchase, these are often available at libraries.

• Stream - Using services like Audible, CloudLibrary, or Hoopla, folks can listen to audiobooks directly from their own devices.

• Playaways - Available at many libraries, these are standalone devices with a single audiobook recorded. All you need to do is plug in your headphones. 

We will leave you with one final thought: reading should be fun. If your child is resistant, there’s probably a good reason. Give them some time, explore other strategies, and ask their teacher for more tips. 

Wishing you all a lifetime of joyful reading!

Book List: We Could All Use a Little More Poetry

Poetry. 

It may not be completely necessary for our survival, but can you imagine a world without it? Poetry helps us express our emotions, illuminate the beauty of the everyday, and document the human condition. It is a splendidly unique form of art, and the world is better for it.

Of course, our children may not be quite ready for Poe or Wordsworth, but it’s never too early for an introduction to poetry. Kids’ poems are often lyrical, silly, and completely appealing. Here is a brief list of some of our favorites, should you want to enjoy them at home!

Jabberwocky by Jennifer Adams (Lewis Carroll)

‘Twas brillig, in the slithy toves…  Many of us recall this nonsense poem from Carroll’s classic tale Through the Looking Glass. Adams has taken the best parts (and taken out the scariest parts) and reworked the words so that they are absolutely perfect in a board book for infants and toddlers. Bright, whimsical illustrations help make it even more fun!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers
by Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers was an incredible individual who dedicated his life to bettering the lives of children and their families. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was a staunch supporter of Montessori education. This lovely collection of his songs warms our hearts and inspires us to celebrate children just as they are.

Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones
by Ruth Heller

Heller has a way of making scientific information extra fun and interesting for children, and she does it lyrically through poetry. In this lovely example, she teaches children all about the various egg-laying animals and what makes them special. 

Chicken Soup with Rice
by Maurice Sendak

An absolute classic, Sendak created one poem for each month of the year. The silly spin is that each one celebrates the narrator’s deep affection for chicken soup with rice. This book is fun to read bit by bit throughout the year, or just to keep on the bookshelf for everyday reading.

Whiskers & Rhymes
by Arnold Lobel

Does your child love cats? Lobel is perhaps most famous for his Frog and Toad books, along with Mouse Soup, but Whiskers & Rhymes is just as good. Children and their adults will adore the ridiculously fabulous cats dressed in 1800s formalwear, as well as their seriously silly poems that deal with a range of emotions and topics.

Everybody Needs a Rock
by Byrd Baylor

What young child doesn’t occasionally come home with pockets full of stones? There is something so alluring about beautiful rocks, and our children have the sense to stop and appreciate them. Baylor’s poetry is always stunning, and this particular book celebrates the finding of a person’s perfect rock. The narrator shares specific rules for finding just the right one.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Gorgeously illustrated, this peaceful, timeless poem by Frost is perfect for families, especially this time of year. There is something truly magical about stepping out into nature when there is a chill in the air. Frost leads us to recall the importance of noticing and appreciating, all the while looking forward to getting back to the cozy indoors with the ones we love.

mammalabilia
by Douglas Florian

Florian has a fantastic way of blending unique art, scientific facts, and poetry into verses that really draw children in. Each page highlights a poem that celebrates a particular mammal, from well-known elephants and bears, to more curious creatures such as the ibex and the tapir. Florian also employs occasional examples of concrete poetry, a form in which the words take shape and help to literally illustrate their meaning. 

A Humble Life: Plain Poems
by Linda Oatman High

Plain people, or various groups of Mennonites and Amish, are highly religious people who intentionally live apart from the larger society. Their lives focus on their faith, but also on living with the land and following the seasons. This book of poems follows such people and their lives throughout the course of a year.

Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughs
edited by David Roessell and Arnold Rampersad

This book is one in a series that makes classic poetry more accessible to young people. Poems are carefully selected to appeal to children, and illustrated beautifully to enhance their appeal. Hughes’ powerful verses serve as a reflection of the African American experience and are important for all people to hear.

Book List: To Read Before Family Movie Night

There are SO many incredible pieces of children’s literature that have eventually been made into movies. In this article, we’d like to share just a few of our favorites. With a bit of extra time at home together, you might enjoy reading one of these books together, then watching the movie. Children love noticing the similarities and differences, plus doing so is great for building reading comprehension skills.

Enjoy! 

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The classic Christmas tale is appealing to both children and adults. It’s hard to tell which is more magical - the story of a boy’s journey to the North Pole or the stunningly gorgeous illustrations. So many movies stray noticeably far from their original book inspiration, but this one does not. The movie evokes the same feel of the book’s plot and artwork.

Shrek! by William Steig

Many of us are familiar with the animated classic, but did you know that Shrek! originated as a hilariously disgusting children’s book? Shrek reaches an age at which his parents decide to kick him out of their swamp and out on his own. Shrek prides himself on his repulsiveness, and after meeting a fortune-telling witch on his journey, he sets out on a mission to find his princess.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Max, like most children, is replete with mischief. Unfortunately, one evening, his mother has had enough of his antics and sends him to bed with no supper. Whether Max slips into a dream or sets out on a journey is left for readers to wonder, but his travels take him across vast oceans to a land of mysterious beasts, of which he becomes the leader.

The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

One evening Sophie peeks out her bedroom window, only to see a large creature. When the creature sees her, he packs her up with his things and takes her away to his distant home. Luckily, for Sophie, the creature is the BFG, or the Big Friendly Giant. They become fast friends on a mission to save the world from the other giants, who are even bigger and not the least bit friendly.

The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

Children have loved this relatable series for generations. Romana and her big sister Beezus, their cat Picky-Picky, and their parents live on Klickitat Street. The books explore all sorts of phases and situations children understand, including sibling relationships, friendships, starting at a new school, negotiating with parents, having to spend time with a babysitter, mischief caused by pets, preparing for a new baby, and so much more.  

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Young Opal is new in town, and she and her father the preacher are all alone. Opal thinks about her mother, who left when she was three years old, and wishes she knew more about her. One day, while Opal was in the Winn Dixie grocery store, a stray dog snuck in and began running around the produce aisle. It was on that day Opal claimed him as her own, named him Winn Dixie, brought him home for a bath, and her life began to change.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Fern, a precocious child, begs and pleads with her father in an attempt to save the life of a young runt pig. Her father capitulates, and Fern cares for the growing pig (Wilbur) until he is too large and is sent to live at her uncle’s nearby farm. It is here that Wilbur meets a new friend - a spider named Charlotte. After learning about Wilbur’s unfortunate probable fate, he and Charlotte work together in an attempt to save him, securing his safety and cementing their friendship.

The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

A young boy and his grandmother take a vacation together, during which they find themselves inadvertently amongst a convention of witches. Witches, in Dahl’s tale, look very much like ordinary women, but after a childhood mishap, the grandmother knows exactly how to spot one. She teaches her grandson all she knows, and the two work together in hopes of protecting children everywhere.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Be warned: this book is beautifully written, but terribly sad.  Jesse and Leslie are both in need of a friend. They’re neighbors, the same age, and seem to have a lot in common - even when they don’t. Near the creek by their homes they create an imaginary world that they both retreat to as often as possible. Their friendship grows, and Jesse’s life changes for the better. One day when Jesse is away, he returns to discover a horrible tragedy.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit; and imaginary creature of Tolkien’s creation. This is a story of an epic journey which Baggins takes in hopes of winning a share of a treasure guarded by a dragon. Throughout his journey, he grows as a character in various ways. Another well-known book and sequel to The Hobbit is The Lord of the Rings.

Raising a Reader

Over the years, study after study has proven the importance of emphasizing reading in the lives of young children.  The benefits are numerous and varied, and you can learn about just a few of them here. You have no doubt heard the advice before, but here are four simple steps to raising your child as a reader.

1. Read aloud to your child

If you don’t already, now is a great time to start.  Regardless of their age, reading aloud to your child every day will make a huge impact.  Babies begin to learn early language by hearing a parent read.  Toddlers and preschoolers increase their vocabulary, which helps them excel in the classroom.  Elementary-aged children can listen to your voice to learn about fluency, pace, inflection, and emphasis as they begin to read aloud.  Even preteens and young teenagers stand to benefit from reading aloud if they’ll still let you (many will!); reading together as your child gets older is an opportunity for bonding and to discuss a wide variety of topics.

The key?  Make reading aloud part of your routine.  Many families squeeze it in at bedtime, but find a time that works for you.  Mixing it up can keep reading fun.  Explore picture books and chapter books, Caldecott and Newbery winners, or delve into an author study.  Make sure the books are something you both enjoy and you will both look forward to the experience.

2. Let your child see you reading

Specifically, let your child see you reading for pleasure.  As a busy parent, it can be easy to let enjoyable reading slip to the wayside, but modeling the habit will help instill it in your child.

One simple way to make this happen?  Set aside some family quiet reading time on the weekends.  Everyone can get comfy, gather up their books, and sit together while doing their own reading.  This may be tough to do in the beginning, especially for little ones, but with some practice you may all come to love this special ritual.  Two pro tips: grab some snacks and use a visual timer.

3. Support their gradual independence

At some point (often during first grade but there is plenty of variability) your child should begin reading to themselves for 20-30 minutes each night.  As with any other skill, this doesn’t happen overnight, and takes lots of support and incremental steps toward independence.

If your child isn’t reading yet or is resistant to reading, don’t push it.  The goal is to keep reading fun.  If you have specific questions about your child’s progress, their teacher is your best resource.

If your child is starting to read on their own, take it slow and don’t expect too much at once.  Some ideas:

• Read a familiar book (rhyming books work best for this).  Point to the last word on a page without saying it and let your child chime in.

• Take turns.  To prevent fatigue, try alternating pages.  You read a page, your child reads a page, and so on.  

• Utilize a combination of read aloud and read alone time.  You may read one picture book or a chapter, then send your child off to bed to read to themselves until it’s time to go to sleep.

• Designate specific read aloud and read alone days of the week.

• Remember that everyone has tired and grumpy days.  Sometimes we all need a break!

Another great way to support early readers is to suggest strategies or point out when you notice they are using them.  Pictures can help us figure out words we don’t know.  Breaking a word into chunks is another helpful strategy.  Asking ourselves, “Does that make sense?” is a good idea.  Even the act of noticing when we’ve made a mistake, and going back to reread is the sign of a great reader.

4. Help them discover books they love

The best way to raise a reader is to surround them with books they love.

Some parents may balk at this.  After all, do we really want to encourage those books about bathroom humor, or graphic novels that have more illustrations than words?  Yes!  We do!  Many graphic novels today and visually stunning but also great examples of a newer style of literature.  As for the potty joke/unicorn puppy/tv character books?  Treat them like you might treat candy.  Explain to your child that we all enjoy a little junk once in a while and that’s okay, but we need to balance our reading diet just like we balance our food diet.

What is your child interested in?  Nonfiction is often a great place to start.  There are books written for all interests and it’s often easy to find them at all reading levels.  As time goes on, you may notice your child gravitating toward a particular genre or author.  Go with the flow!  Their interests will change over time, but we can all remember a time when we couldn’t stop ourselves from soaking up every book we could in a series.

Introducing our children to a wide variety of genres is a good idea.  Think beyond fact and fantasy!  Try out some realistic fiction, historical fiction, poetry, folktales, myths and legends, or even a play script.  

There are lots of great ways to keep your collection fresh without breaking the bank.  Visit your local library, check out second-hand bookstores, have a book swap with friends, or organize a used book sale.  

We hope these tips have been helpful.  Do you have any you would add to the list?

Wishing you all many beautiful years of reading with your child!

Montessori Basics: The Language Curriculum

Have you ever wondered how Montessori guides teach children about language?  Parents are often astounded when they observe children learning to read at a young age in our schools.  What’s the secret?

There’s no secret - we’re happy to share our methods!  Read on to learn more about our approach, how we align our teaching with a child’s natural development, and what the progression looks like as children get older.

Early Language Activities

Children’s language development begins long before they enter the classroom.  Dr. Montessori asserted that children from birth to age 6 were in the age of the absorbent mind.  During this time they are able to learn language simply by living around others who are using language.  Montessori classrooms incorporate both spoken and written language into the environment to further enrich this early learning.

In our primary classrooms we teach children songs and poems so that they may hear and experience language in a fun and playful way that appeals to them.  We encourage parents to do the same!  Share poems from your childhood with your children and discover new ones together.  Sing your favorite songs from when you were little, or enjoy kid-friendly tunes from musicians such as Raffi or Tom Chapin.

Montessori guides introduce children to as much vocabulary as possible in their early years.  This may start with naming objects around the classroom, but will also expand toward specialized nomenclature.  Children learn the names of the continents, plant and animal names, and specific terms that apply to areas of interest.  These vocabulary words are spoken and shown in written form. 

Writing

As you may have guessed, writing starts earlier in Montessori classrooms than in many other settings.  Consider the goal of writing: to visually communicate one’s ideas with others using standardized symbols.  This is actually separate from the ability to hold a pencil and form strings of letters, words, and sentences on a piece of paper.

Once a child has a basic understanding of most of the letter sounds, they begin to use a material called the moveable alphabet.  Exactly what it sounds like, the moveable alphabet is a box containing sorted wooden letters.  Children lay the letters out to write words, and eventually sentences.  At this stage we do not expect children to conform to conventional spelling, but rather we allow what is often referred to as inventive spelling.  “I love my mom” may look like “I luv mi mom”.

Montessori classrooms use many materials to help children strengthen their finger muscles in preparation for the physical act of handwriting beginning at age 3, or arguably even earlier.  Our experience has taught us that children are ready to express themselves in writing before they are ready to start writing in the traditional sense.  That pencil-to-paper writing usually starts in kindergarten, though it varies with individual children.

Reading

One beautiful material that you have likely seen is called the sandpaper letters.  The letters are used to teach both reading and writing.  

It’s important to note that when Montessori guides begin teaching children about letters, our focus is on the sounds the letters make and not so much their names.  This means we do not teach the alphabet song, because knowing the names of letters isn’t really helpful in learning how to read.  That’s not to say there is no value in such learning; it will certainly come in handy when learning to alphabetize, or when talking about letters when they are a bit older.  We just want parents to know that if you want to continue the work we do in our classrooms, consider using a letter’s most commonly used sound when referring to it.  

An example: when a Montessori child learns to spell cat, they will say, “k-ah-t” rather than “see-ay-tee”.

Object boxes are used to help children learn to read as well.  A box labeled with the letter p may contain tiny toy versions of a pig, pot, pin, etc.  Eventually, children are able to match the objects with label cards.

Much of our reading work is done while teaching children other subjects.  For example, if they are learning about mammals, they will read lots of text at their level about mammals.  

There are also special series of books used by many Montessorians, including Miss Rhonda’s Readers (created by a Montessori guide) and Bob Books.  Guides typically prefer that families not use these same books at home.  Young children are often able to memorize text, and if they have been exposed to the same books at home and school, it can be difficult for guides to have an accurate observation of the child’s true decoding skills.  Check with your child’s guide if you’re curious or would like some advice on what books to read at home.

Card materials are also used as children progress, allowing guides to help children isolate specific sounds and blends.  One series of cards/lessons may focus on the various ways to make a long a sound.  One color of cards displays words containing ai, another will contain ay, and yet another will teach children about words with the silent e.

Word Study

This area of study includes a wide variety of skills and begins once a child has begun to read; some of the earlier lessons are given during the final (kindergarten) year of primary, but many are given during the first two years of lower elementary.  The guide will give the child a lesson teaching the skill.  In the days and weeks following, children practice the skill independently using special card materials.  The skills include:

• Classification

• Alphabetizing

• Compound words

• Synonyms

• Antonyms

• Prefixes

• Suffixes

Grammar

Grammar is taught early and in what we call a spiraling curriculum; that is, we circle back on the same content as the child gets older, building on previous knowledge and giving more depth to their understanding.  Parts of speech are taught in a very specific order, and each one has a corresponding symbol that children use in many activities.

Beginning in the final year of primary, children typically learn about nouns, articles, and verbs, as well as their corresponding symbols.  This helps them to understand the core parts of our sentences and gives them an introduction to grammar in a way that appeals to them. 

Sometime during that final year in primary or the first year of lower elementary, children are introduced to grammar through what we call the function of words.  Traditionally, a model of a farm, complete with animals, is used to guide children through the process.  Again, they begin by learning that nouns are naming words, and they name each animal and feature of the farm.  They then go on to learn the corresponding articles, followed by all other parts of speech, including adjectives, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections.

Once a child has learned the functions of words, they will move on to the Montessori grammar command cards.  Knowing that children learn by doing, these cards give children specific directions to physically follow so that they may experience the words for themselves.  

Another classic Montessori activity involves the use of colored wooden grammar boxes.  Children use cards to recreate sentences, word by word, and sort the words by various parts of speech.

There are many extensions to grammar work that Montessori children enjoy.  Some will write their own sentences and use colored pencils to label each word with its corresponding grammar symbol.  Others enjoy using grammar strips: a material that shows a series of grammar symbols which students must use a guide to write a sentence with that particular pattern.

Sentence Analysis

Going beyond grammar, elementary-aged children learn to analyze sentences.  This begins simply with subjects, verbs, direct, and indirect objects.  As children get older and have a better grasp on language, the work extends considerably.

Children in upper elementary classes learn about complex sentence structures.  This includes structures like predicate adjectives and nominatives, attributive adjectives, various types of phrases and clauses, and many more.

For seasoned Montessori parents: did you learn anything new from this article?  New families: what do you find the most interesting, or what do you still have questions about?  As always, we believe in the power of observation, and we invite you all to schedule a time to sit and observe in one of our classrooms.