Advanced Vocabulary Card Set/20

Interest drives learning. Montessori is a student-centered approach: the teacher observes what each student is curious about and offers materials that match. A student fascinated by spiders, flowers, or flags will want to know what every part is called, and with 20 topics, there is a packet for many interests. When they are interested in the topic, students will choose these cards again and again. Each time is more practice naming and discussing. That practice builds vocabulary and background knowledge, part of the language comprehension side of reading in both Gough and Tunmer's (1986) simple view of reading and Scarborough's (2001) reading rope.

Keep a few packets on the shelf at a time and rotate them, choosing topics that match your students' interests. Spark curiosity with the real thing when you can, such as a leaf, a flower, a flag, or an animal seen outdoors. Then use the three-period lesson on a few cards at a time. Land and water cards can also be sorted into land forms and water forms. Once students know the names, read the matching Definition Book aloud, pausing to discuss. When students are reading, move on to the matching 3-Part Reading Cards. As reading becomes more fluent, invite students to read the book on their own. Finally, use the Definition Cards to rebuild the book in the full build-a-book activity.

Typically ages 4 and up for the vocabulary cards. The full sequence, from read-aloud through the build-a-book activity, typically runs from preschool through grade 6 (ages 4–12) as students' reading grows. The cards also work well for English learners and students in intervention settings.

The Basic Vocabulary Card Set names whole things in a student's world, such as pets, fruit, and tools. The Advanced Set names advanced vocabulary (like the parts of things and the forms of land and water) and corresponds to our books and definition cards for reading and comprehension work. Many students begin with the Basic Set and add the Advanced Set as their interests deepen.