Montessori Sunday: Classified Cards

This week's Montessori Sunday focuses on the classified cards, or as they are sometimes called, 3 part cards. These picture cards are in the language area and help build up the child's vocabulary; both in spoken language and later in the area of reading/writing. Each set of cards usually has a common theme, such as fruits, farm animals, kitchen objects, etc. This is done to intentionally introduce children to the idea of classifying objects based on their similarities.

The cards are sometimes refereed to as three part cards because they are commonly made having 3 separate parts including: a card with a picture, a label that matches the picture, and a third card with both the picture and its corresponding word (called the control card). For a child who is reading they can spread out the pictures, find the corresponding label and then check their work with the control cards. This allows them to build their reading vocabulary. The label must match one of the pictures and so even if the child isn't able to completely sound out a word, they have a certain context in which to guess based on the parts of the word they do recognize. The matching control card allows the child to be independent in checking themselves, a key part of being a Montessori child.

Spoken language cards for different farm animals

My Montessori training presented the making of the cards just a little bit different, though how they are used is identical. We were taught to make 3 sets of cards. The first set is simply the cards with pictures on them. The second set is the pictures with corresponding labels that are separate. The third set is a card with the picture and corresponding word both. This allows there to a be a set of cards for children who cannot read yet, as well as a separate (though matching) set for a child who is ready to read the words and label the pictures.

The previous classroom I worked in had only the original 3 part cards and the younger children where forever getting out the labels and control cards as well as the picture cards I would be trying to use with them. This led to a lot of lost labels and bent cards that frustrated the older children who wanted to use them for reading. A minor change, but in my mind well worth the extra paper, ink and laminate to have an extra set of the cards just for spoken language.

The children in my class really enjoy fetching the cards. They'll spread the cards out at a table, then come over so I can tell them which card to get. They're all pretty good with the fruit cards we have, but for something more difficult (like dinosaurs) I'll often get out the matching control cards so I can show them the picture of what I'm asking for. Then when they return with their card I'll ask them to tell me what they brought, and supply the name if they've forgotten. Once they get more practice I'll be able to just tell them the name of the card and they'll have to go and find it without looking at the picture. Then when they return I'll flip over my copy of the card and have them check if they match.

They like this little game so much that they've started doing the fetching with another classmate if I'm not available. They usually don't know the name of what they're sending the other child to get, but it's a good opportunity for me to see which ones they really do know!