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Learning the 4 basic parts of speech is the first step towards reading for meaning. A basic sentence, a phrase, or a clause consists of an article, noun, adjective, and a verb. In this post, we will talk about how to introduce nouns, adjectives, and verbs separately. Depending on the child’s reading level, you can choose to use phonetic words or non-phonetic words. I will be using phonetic words as examples.
Montessori Parts of speech activities are color-coded. This makes it easy for the child to learn each of its position. Nouns are black, articles are gray, adverbs are blue verbs are red.
Parts of Speech 1 – Nouns
A noun is a name of a person, place, or thing. This is the first parts of speech you are going to introduce to your children. The best way to introduce any new concept is to start with the environment you are in. To see and touch the object make it a concrete experience for the children.
In a classroom setting, you can ask the children to look around and name the things they see. If you are homeschooling, you can ask to name things around the house. Here is an example of a conversation you can have with your children to teach the role of nouns.
Teacher: Ann, could you bring me an eraser, please.
Teacher: Mark, could you bring me a ruler, please
Teacher: Pam, could you bring me a _______
Now the child can ask what the teacher wants. You can make this an example to show the children the importance of things having a “name” to refer to. If the things, places, or people did not have names, it would be difficult for us to communicate.
This is the introduction to the concept of nouns. This is an ideal circle time activity. Once you have introduced the concept, you can introduce some interactive activities to further practice nouns.
Nouns Activity 1 – Labeling the Classroom
In Montessori, Noun cards are black. I use 3″x3″ cards with a black border. Depending on your children’s level of reading, you can choose either phonetic classroom noun cards or non-phonetic noun cards.
Keep a stack of noun cards on the shelf/literacy center with a mat. Show the child how to read the card, find the item from the class, and place it next to the card on the mat. If it is an object the child can’t reach (clock) or if it is too big, you can ask the children to place the noun card next to/beneath it.
Nouns Activity 2 – Labeling Farm animals
You need a box of miniature farm animals or some picture cards for this activity. If you are using picture cards, make sure to keep all the cards same size. This way, when you piece them together to make a sentence, it will be easy. The child’s work is to read and label the farm animals.
Phonetic & Non-phonetc Noun Examples
| Phonetic Nouns Classroom Items | Non-phonetic Nouns Classroom Items | Phonetic Nouns Farm Animals | Non-phonetic Nouns Farm Animals |
| clock | chair | pig | horse |
| rug | table | hen | chick |
| blocks | pencil | ox | cow |
| desk | eraser | duck | sheep |
| box | globe | rabbit | goat |
Parts of Speech 2 – Adjectives
Adjectives describe nouns. This is the 2nd parts of speech you should introduce to your children. You can use the same technique as nouns to introduce the concept of adjectives. As I mentioned before, we always start with the classroom/home environment. Here is an example of how you can deliver your lesson.
Teacher: Ann, could you bring me an eraser, please. (Ann brings a red eraser)
Teacher: No Ann, I don’t want a red eraser. I want a blue eraser please. (Ann brings a blue eraser)
Teacher: Sorry Ann I don’t want a big blue eraser. I want a small blue eraser.
This can go on until the children get the idea and you run out of objects ;).
Phonetic & Non-phonetc Adjectives Examples
| Phonetic Adjectives | Non-phonetic Adjectives |
| big | small |
| red | blue |
| black | happy |
| sad | brave |
| mad | silly |
Parts of Speech 3 – Verbs
Verbs are action words. Montessori verb cards are red. Introducing verbs can be so much fun for the children. As always, start with the classroom/home environment. Depending on the child’s reading level you can choose to have phonetic or non-phonetic words.
During circle time pick a child who is ready to “do some actions”. Ask the child to read and do what it says. You can add a special red mat to this activity where the children are allowed to step on without taking the shoes off.
Now that the children have been introduced to nouns, adjectives, and verbs, it is time to introduce them to the farm box. This is where the magic happens. The Montessori Farm box is a simple and fun way to learn and internalize the correct positions of the parts of speech.
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