Adjective
From Montessori Album
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| Adjective | |
|---|---|
| Language - Grammar | |
 | |
| Level | Primary |
| Age | 5.5 + |
| Prerequisites | Noun Article |
| Materials | a few objects that differ only by color two objects that differ only by length writing tray (pencil, red pencil, slips of paper, scissors) Grammar Symbol set |
In this activity the child is introduced to the concept of adjectives.
Presentation
In this example, the objects used are different colored rocks, and a short and a long stick. Just about any objects could be used (see the #Materials section below).
- Take the material to a mat or table. (The Grammar Symbol set can be fetched later in the lesson if you wish.)
- "I'd like you to get something for me. I'll write a message to show you what I want."
Write 'the rock' on a slip of paper and give it to the child. - The child should get one of the rocks from the basket. Set it on the table with the label underneath.
Say, "Thank you. That is a rock, but it's not the rock I was thinking of." - "I'll write another word to add to the message."
Write the color word of one of the other rocks on a slip of paper in red pencil and give it to the child. - The child should get the green rock.
Set it on the table with the labels underneath.
"This is the rock I was looking for, but this doesn't sound quite right, does it? 'The rock green.'" - "How about this?" Move the adjective to the beginning. Let the child try moving the words around.
- "Wait, I have an idea."
Cut apart the words 'the' and 'rock'. - "Try it now."
Let the child put the words in order. Give them time to try things out if they need it. - "Let's do another one. I'll write a message for you."
Write 'the stick' on a slip of paper. - The child should get a stick from the basket.
"That is a stick, but it wasn't the one I was thinking of." - Write the word 'long' (or 'short', whichever is the other one) on a slip of paper.
- See if you can get the child to prompt you to cut the words apart on the paper as was done before (or they may wish to cut them apart) so the adjective can go in the middle.
- "These words are called adjectives. They describe nouns so we know which one we mean."
- "Let's get the grammar symbols box and I'll show you the symbol for adjectives."
Get the grammar symbols box, mark the nouns, then the articles, reminding the child about these word types.
"This is the symbol for adjectives."
Mark the adjective with the symbols. - The labels can be put in the basket for the child to work with independently later. You will want to make extra adjective labels so there is one for each of the colors, and be sure to have both 'short' and 'long'.
Note
It is important to include two example like this because otherwise many children get the idea that adjectives are just color words.
Points of Interest
Control of Error
Variations and Extensions
- Multiple Adjectives could be used:
Material
You will need a group of objects that differ only by color. Possibilities include:
- rocks, buttons, beads, animal figurines, fabric squares, yarn, plastic cubes, plastic Easter eggs, dice, socks
You will also need two objects that differ only by length (short/long), or size (big/small). Possibilities include:
- sticks, pencils, spoons, safety pins, ribbons, socks
Make Your Own
Free printable Grammar Symbols (black outlines, print on the appropriate color of cardstock and cut out):
Grammar symbols could be cut out of card-stock, craft foam, or plastic (maybe from plastic lids).
Stencil
Where to Buy
Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
| Basic Grammar Symbols Box | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Adena | $20.92 |
| Affordable Montessori | $39.00 |
| Alison's | $27.56 |
| Alison's | $54.60 |
| Alison's | $46.00 |
| Bruins | $85.00 |
| E & O | $35.10 |
| ETC Montessori no box? |
$30.00 |
| IFIT | $23.00 |
| Kid Advance | $22.99 |
| Leader Joy | $24.95 |
| Materials Co. of Boston small |
$65.00 |
| Materials Co. of Boston | $65.00 |
| Materials Co. of Boston | $75.00 |
| Montessori Concepts | $25.00 |
| Montessori Outlet no box |
$9.95 |
| Montessori Outlet box only |
$13.95 |
| Thinkamajigs | $32.95 |
| Waseca | $70.00 |
| Basic & Advanced Grammar Symbol Set | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Alison's plastic |
$58.00 |
| Alison's | $46.00 |
| Nienhuis plastic |
$94.55 |
| Box for Both Sets | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Montessori Outlet | $15.95 |
| Nienhuis | $57.75 |
| Advanced Grammar Symbols only | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Adena | $17.92 |
| ETC Montessori no box? |
$28.00 |
| Materials Co. of Boston | $40.00 |
| Montessori Outlet | $7.95 |
| Grammar Symbols Stencil | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Affordable Montessori for 2 |
$6.00 |
| Albanesi for 5 large |
$52.00 |
| Albanesi for 5 small |
$52.00 |
| Alison's for 2 |
$6.82 |
| ETC Montessori | $8.10 |
| Mandala | $10.00 |
| Montessori Outlet | $3.95 |
| Nienhuis | $8.10 |
| Waseca | $5.00 |
| Grammar Symbols Stamps | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Alison's | $29.95 |
| Great Extensions | $55.00 |
| 3D Basic Grammar Symbols | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Adena | $20.92 |
| Alison's | $37.48 |
| Bruins | $90.00 |
| E & O | $120.60 |
| IFIT | $28.00 |
| Kid Advance | $65.99 |
| Leader Joy no base |
$26.95 |
| Leader Joy | $34.95 |
| Materials Co. of Boston no base |
$55.00 |
| Montessori Concepts | $38.00 |
| Montessori Outlet no base |
$28.95 |
| Montessori Outlet base only |
$8.95 |
| Montessori Outlet | $57.95 |
| Nienhuis | $183.90 |
| Thinkamajigs | $45.95 |
| 3D Noun and Verb | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Adena | $10.92 |
| Affordable Montessori | $17.00 |
| Alison's | $16.53 |
| Bruins | $40.00 |
| E & O | $15.30 |
| Kid Advance | $11.99 |
| Leader Joy | $15.95 |
| Materials Co. of Boston | $48.00 |
| Montessori Concepts | $13.00 |
| Montessori Outlet | $13.95 |
| Nienhuis Noun only |
$28.30 |
| Nienhuis Verb only |
$28.30 |
| Thinkamajigs | $17.95 |
Further Reading
- Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, pages 116-117, 139-140
