Montessori Elementary Language Curriculum

Language is a remarkable human invention that allows us to share ideas, build community, and make sense of the world. In the Montessori elementary curriculum, language is seen as more than just a way to communicate. It’s also a powerful tool for personal growth and connecting with others.

Maria Montessori understood that language plays a huge role in developing our identities, expressing our thoughts, ideas, and creativity, and linking us to other humans near and far. This idea guides the Montessori language curriculum for elementary students which explores reading, writing, speaking, and listening in an exciting, hands-on way.

Table of Contents

• The Story of Language
• Spoken Language
  • Grace and Courtesy
  • Read-Aloud
  • Oral Presentations
  • Drama and Debates
• Reading Fluency
  • The Science of Reading
  • Interacting with Surroundings
  • Interpretive Reading
• Handwriting
  • Cursive or Print?
• Word Study
  • Suffixes and Prefixes
  • Compound Words
  • Word Families
  • Etymology
• Grammar
  • Grammar Boxes
  • Parts of Speech
  • Command Cards
• Spelling
  • Using Dictionaries
  • Syllables and Patterns
• Sentence Analysis
  • Progression of Sentence Analysis
  • Application of Knowledge
• Expressive Writing
  • Figures of Speech
  • Poetry
  • Writing Paragraphs
  • Research and Report Writing
  • Creative Writing
• Drama
  • Warm-Up Activities
  • Skits and One-Act Plays
  • Dramatic Productions
• Literature: A Window to Empathy, Quality Language, and Community
  • Novel Studies
  • Read-Aloud Sessions
  • Independent Reading
• Style
  • Studying Literary Works
  • Experimenting with Writing Styles
  • Creating a Supportive Environment
• Final Thoughts

The Story of Language

The Story of Language is a lesson in the Montessori elementary curriculum that teaches children about the development of language over time. It takes them from the time of early humans, with their simple gestures and grunts, to the complex language systems we use today. Early humans also had to find ways to communicate with others who were far away, so they started carving symbols and markings into rocks and caves, which led to the creation of writing. This was a big step forward in how humans communicated.

The Story of Language shows children that language is not just a way that people talk to each other, but also a part of human progress and creativity. It is always changing and evolving to meet the needs of society. By learning about the development of language, children can see how it has shaped human experience throughout history.

In the story, children also learn about the origins of our modern alphabet. They discovered that early writing systems used pictures and symbols to represent objects and ideas. They also learn about the contributions of different civilizations, like the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, in shaping the alphabet we use today.

Spoken Language

In Montessori classrooms, the development of spoken language is given a lot of importance. Different lessons and activities help children learn how to speak clearly and effectively.

Grace and Courtesy

• Grace and courtesy lessons teach children how to have polite conversations, use grammar correctly, and speak with kindness and clarity.
• Children also practice greeting each other, resolving conflicts, asking for help, or expressing gratitude in these lessons.

Read-Aloud

• When children hear stories that are read aloud, it helps them hear how expressive reading and clear speaking sound. It also gives them a chance to discuss the story and share their thoughts. 
• When children read out loud themselves, it helps them improve their speaking skills and express themselves better. It also gives them a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.

Oral Presentations

• In Montessori Elementary environments, children enjoy taking the lead in giving oral reports, making presentations, and delivering speeches. They might research a topic they’re interested in and then give a talk about it.
• Making presentations not only helps them improve their speaking skills but also makes them more confident when speaking in front of other people. For example, a child might give a small presentation about butterflies, learning how to organize their thoughts and explain information clearly to an audience.

Drama and Debates

• Through drama, children act out different scripts or make up their own scenes. This helps them practice speaking clearly and using expression.
• Debates give children the chance to make arguments, use persuasive language, and have respectful discussions with others.

By facilitating these different activities, Montessori classrooms create a supportive environment where children can develop their spoken language skills. This prepares them not only for success in school but also for meaningful communication in the wider world.

Reading Fluency

In Montessori schools, teaching reading is customized for each child’s needs. From ages 3-6, in the Children’s House, children start learning the foundations of reading in a way that builds their abilities naturally and with guidance.

The Science of Reading

• Previously, it was thought that most children would be able to read by age 6 when they moved to the Montessori elementary environment. Now, we know that’s not always the case.
• To help children from different backgrounds or those who need more help with reading, many Montessori educators are incorporating a structured literacy approach based on the science of reading.
• This matches well with the Montessori approach to teaching reading and helps meet the varied needs of elementary students, especially in phonics, vocabulary, and understanding texts. 

Interacting with Surroundings

• Children learn to read by interacting with their surroundings. They label and read items around the classroom, using their reading in everyday situations.
• They also use hands-on manipulatives and sequenced phonetic booklets that help them improve their reading and comprehension.

Interpretive Reading

• Another key part of learning to read in Montessori is through interpretive reading. This involves reading short texts on cards, often taken from literature, that get increasingly more complex. After reading, children get to act out what they’ve read.
• This method goes beyond just sounding out words; it helps children grasp deeper meanings and sparks their interest in stories.

Montessori’s reading program is carefully organized yet adaptable, allowing children to progress at their own level and pace. It starts with simple word recognition and leads to a thorough grasp of reading. This approach not only prepares them for reading success but also encourages a lasting love for reading.

Handwriting

Handwriting is important because it helps develop fine motor control and cognitive thinking skills.

Cursive or Print?

• Traditionally, Montessori teachers introduced cursive writing before print because it is believed that the continuous flow of cursive helps with the natural development of motor skills. Cursive writing is seen as more aligned with a child’s natural hand movements, allowing for faster and more fluid writing.

• However, some Montessori schools are now teaching print writing first, especially public Montessori schools or those trying to follow local school rules. This is because print writing is more common, and starting with print helps children be prepared for environments where print writing is the norm. Cursive then comes later, adding to their writing skills. 

No matter which writing style is taught first, Montessori’s way of teaching writing focuses on loving writing, careful formation of letters, and being able to express thoughts and ideas through writing. The goal is for children to write neatly so they can communicate well and express themselves creatively in written form. 

Word Study

In Montessori education, Word Study isn’t just about memorizing words. It’s about discovering the heart of language and how it works. Children learn about different parts of words such as suffixes, prefixes, and compound words, as well as the history and culture of words, which is known as etymology.

Suffixes and Prefixes

• Suffixes and prefixes are important in English. They can change the meaning of a word.
• For example, by adding ‘-ness’ to ‘happy’, children learn how an adjective can become a noun (‘happiness’).
• Prefixes like ‘un-‘ or ‘re-‘ are introduced to show how words can be changed to mean the opposite or to do something again, like ‘undo’ or ‘redo’.
• Through studying suffixes and prefixes, children learn how language works and how it can be changed.

Compound Words

• Compound words are another focus. Children learn how two separate words can come together to make a new word with a different meaning, like ‘sunflower’ or ‘playground’.
• Studying compound words helps children learn new words and how words can be made.

Word Families

• Word families are a way to learn patterns in spelling and pronunciation.
• Words like ‘play,’ ‘replay,’ ‘playful,’ and ‘display,’ are grouped together because they have similar sounds.
• Studying word families helps children learn how words are made and helps them read and spell better.

Etymology

• Etymology is the study of the history and culture of words.
• Children learn where words come from and how they’ve changed over time because of different languages and cultures.
• Studying etymology helps children learn new words and appreciate different languages and cultures.

Montessori Word Study uses hands-on materials and language games for learning. This helps them learn new words and how language works, which helps them become more interested in words and language for their whole lives.

Grammar

In the Montessori classroom, grammar is taught in a fun and interactive way that helps students understand how language works. Instead of just memorizing rules, the Montessori grammar material is a set of boxes containing symbols and cards containing sentences for children to symbolize. This makes learning grammar an engaging, hands-on activity. 

Grammar Boxes

• Each Grammar Box is focused on a different part of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• These materials are color-coded and have symbols to help students see how words fit together in a sentence. For example, a red circle represents a verb, and a black triangle stands for a noun.
• This visual way of learning helps students understand how words work.

Parts of Speech

In the Grammar Boxes, children learn about different parts of grammar, starting with the basic parts of speech.

• Nouns: Children learn how to classify nouns, such as proper nouns for names, common nouns for everyday things, and abstract nouns for ideas.
• Verbs: Children learn about verbs and how they change with different tenses, such as past, present, and future. They also learn about verb conjugation, voice, and mood, which helps them understand how verbs can express different times and states.
• Prepositional Phrases and Pronouns: Children learn about prepositional phrases and pronouns. This helps them build more complex and descriptive sentences, thus improving their writing.
• Conjunctions and Interjections: Children learn about conjunctions, which join words or sentences together, and interjections, which indicate strong emotions.

Learning about these different parts of grammar helps them understand how to combine words to convey more specific meanings and feelings.

Command Cards

• Command Cards are another material used to teach grammar. These cards have instructions that ask students to do different language tasks. For example, they might say “Walk slowly over to the door.”
• This hands-on practice with language helps students understand grammar and use it in real-life situations.

Montessori’s approach to grammar gives students a deep understanding of how language is structured. It makes them curious and excited about how words work and how we communicate. Through hands-on activities and interactive learning, students build a strong foundation in grammar, which helps them use language effectively and creatively when they speak and write.

Spelling

In Montessori elementary education, spelling is taught in a structured way to help students master language.

Using Dictionaries

• Students use dictionaries to improve spelling and expand vocabulary.
• Children learn how to use dictionaries to find the correct spellings and meanings of words, which encourages independent learning and a deeper understanding of words.

Syllables and Patterns

• Breaking words into syllables is another important part of Montessori spelling. This helps children spell longer and more complex words and improves their pronunciation.
• Alongside syllables, students also learn spelling rules and patterns, which help them understand the logical structure of language and apply these rules in their writing.

It’s worth noting that Dr. Maria Montessori, who was Italian, did not create specific spelling materials because Italian has simpler spelling rules. Instead, Montessori schools in English-speaking countries (and other countries with non-phonetic languages) often supplement their curriculum with additional spelling programs. These programs support students in mastering the intricacies of spelling, which often includes exceptions to phonetic rules. This extra focus on spelling ensures that students develop strong reading, writing, and spelling skills, all important aspects of mastering language.

By combining the Montessori approach with additional spelling resources, students are better prepared to navigate the complexities of the English language. This helps students develop well-rounded linguistic skills, preparing them for effective communication and academic success.

Sentence Analysis

In the Montessori classroom, the Sentence Analysis material plays an important role in improving language comprehension and writing skills. This helps children understand how words work together to create meaning. It starts by identifying the basic elements of a sentence, such as the subject and predicate. Knowing these key parts helps children recognize who or what a sentence is about and what action or state is being expressed.

Progression of Sentence Analysis

• Montessori teachers often begin by creating simple sentences that only have a subject, predicate, and a direct object. Soon after, they are also introduced to indirect objects. These carefully designed sentences focus on specific grammar concepts without overwhelming the students. Some teachers will give more complex sentences and instruct the children to identify the parts of the sentence they know.
• As children become more proficient, they gradually can analyze more complex sentences. They learn about different types of clauses, like independent and dependent clauses, and how they combine to form simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
• This knowledge not only improves students’ grasp of grammar but also helps them construct more varied and sophisticated sentences in their own writing.

Application of Knowledge

• As children progress, sentence analysis is integrated with literature. Children analyze sentences from the books they are reading, allowing them to appreciate the varied language styles used by different authors.
• This application of grammar knowledge in a practical context reinforces their learning and deepens their understanding of both the technical and creative aspects of writing.
• Through sentence analysis, children also gain an understanding of how sentence structure affects tone, mood, and clarity. This knowledge is important for developing strong writing skills, as students learn how to manipulate sentence structure to enhance their storytelling abilities. 

Sentence analysis starts with identifying the basic parts of a sentence and moves on to analyzing more complex sentences found in literature. This improves students’ grammar and writing skills and helps them enjoy the beauty and power of language. By dissecting and understanding the parts of sentences, Montessori students become strong readers and expressive writers.

Expressive Writing

Expressive writing is a way for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. It includes different activities that help students think critically and use their imagination.

Figures of Speech

• Students learn about similes, metaphors, and personification, which can make their writing more interesting and meaningful.
• By experimenting with these techniques, students learn to express complex ideas and emotions more effectively.

Poetry

• Through poetry, students can express themselves using rhythm, rhyme, and structure.
• Writing poems helps students think carefully about their words and how they contribute to the overall impact of their piece.

Writing Paragraphs

• Children learn how to write clear sentences and organize their thoughts into well-structured paragraphs.
• These skills are important for communicating effectively in both academic and personal settings.

Research and Report Writing

• Students learn how to gather information, analyze sources, and present their findings.
• This process helps children become better researchers and teaches them how to organize information logically.

Creative Writing

• Students have the freedom to create stories, dialogues, and descriptive narratives.
• This form of writing promotes originality, problem-solving, and storytelling skills.
• Students are encouraged to explore their experiences, dreams, and ideas through writing.

Montessori’s approach to expressive writing provides students with various tools and opportunities to express themselves. From writing poetry to researching and creating stories, students develop strong writing skills and the ability to think creatively. This comprehensive approach ensures that students become proficient writers and individuals capable of expressing themselves effectively.

Drama

In Montessori education, drama is an important part of the curriculum that helps students develop essential life skills. Drama activities, such as warm-ups, improvisations, skits, one-act plays, and dramatic productions, focus on building public speaking skills, self-expression, and teamwork.

Warm-Up Activities

• Warm-up activities help students relax and feel connected as a group before drama sessions.
• Improvisation exercises challenge students to think quickly, be spontaneous, and express their ideas creatively.
• These activities boost confidence as students learn to trust their instincts and ideas.

Skits and One-Act Plays

• Skits and one-act plays allow students to explore character development and storytelling.
• Through these activities, students learn to understand and convey complex emotions and relationships.
• They also gain empathy and emotional intelligence by considering different perspectives.

Dramatic Productions

• Full-scale dramatic productions require teamwork in various aspects such as acting, stage design, costume creation, and scriptwriting.
• This collaborative process teaches students the importance of working together, being responsible, and achieving a common goal.

Participating in drama activities helps students improve their communication and expression skills while building confidence. Performing in front of an audience, whether in a small skit or a large production, helps students overcome stage fright and develop a sense of presence and poise.

Drama in Montessori is not just about artistic expression; it is also about personal development. It nurtures creativity, boosts confidence, enhances communication skills, and teaches the value of teamwork. Engaging in drama prepares Montessori students for various life situations where self-expression and cooperation are essential.

Literature: A Window to Empathy, Quality Language, and Community

Literature is more than just an interesting read. It helps us develop empathy, master language, and build a sense of community. In Montessori education, there are different ways literature is incorporated.

Novel Studies

• One way is through small group novel studies, also known as book clubs or literature circles. In these groups, students discuss a book together, sharing their thoughts on the themes, characters, and story.
• This collaborative learning experience helps them understand and appreciate the text better. They learn to express their ideas, listen to others, and think critically as they analyze and interpret the literature as a group.

Read-Aloud Sessions

• Another way literature is taught in Montessori is through whole-group read-aloud sessions. The entire class comes together to listen to and discuss a story. The teacher or a student reads the book aloud, and the class pauses to explore important themes, ask questions, and share interpretations.
• This group experience improves listening and comprehension skills and fosters a shared love for stories and ideas.

Independent Reading

• Montessori also places importance on independent reading. Students have the freedom to choose books they’re interested in, allowing them to personally connect with the literature.
• This freedom to choose helps them develop a genuine love for reading and allows each student to explore literature at their own pace.
• Independent reading time can be part of the Montessori work cycle, giving students the chance to immerse themselves in different worlds, cultures, and experiences. It helps them build vocabulary, understand complex sentences, and develop empathy as they connect with diverse characters and stories.

By using these different approaches – small group novel studies, whole group read-aloud sessions, and independent reading – literature in Montessori education becomes a powerful way for personal growth, language development, and community engagement. It opens up a world where empathy, critical thinking, and a passion for reading can grow, preparing students for a lifelong journey of learning and exploration.

Style

In the Montessori approach to language, studying style is an important way to nurture a student’s creativity and individuality in writing. Style refers to the unique way that writers use language to create a certain mood, tone, and voice in their work. Students in Montessori environments are encouraged to explore their own writing style by reflecting on their word choices, sentence structures, and overall narrative flow. They also learn about different authors and analyze their styles to gain insights into the diverse ways language can be used effectively and artistically.

Studying Literary Works

• Teachers in Montessori classrooms introduce students to a variety of literary works from different genres, cultures, and time periods.
• By reading and discussing these works, students learn about the techniques and elements that contribute to an author’s style.
• Students study how the choice of words, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices can convey emotions and messages.

Experimenting with Writing Styles

• Students have the opportunity to experiment with different writing styles in their own work!
• They can try writing in the descriptive style of a favorite author or explore narrative techniques they have encountered in their reading.
• This hands-on approach allows students to play with language and discover what resonates with their personal expression.

Creating a Supportive Environment

• Teachers also create a supportive environment where students can give and receive feedback on their writing.
• Peer review sessions and writing workshops provide opportunities for students to appreciate and discuss each other’s unique styles.
• This process helps create a community of young writers who learn from one another and grow together.

Studying style in Montessori education is not just about identifying different writing techniques. It is about empowering students to find and develop their own unique voices as writers. By appreciating the diversity of literary expression and confidently expressing themselves, students become confident, expressive, and reflective writers.

Final Thoughts

The Montessori approach to language and literacy is more than just learning to read and write. It helps students become confident communicators and creative thinkers by showing them how language is important for expressing ideas and interacting with others. This approach is based on the Montessori philosophy, which teaches students about the history and culture of language. Students not only learn how to use language, but they also understand how it has changed over time and its significance in different cultures. This deeper understanding makes their learning more valuable and applicable to the real world.