Around Town Vocabulary
Rooted in Neurodevelopment-
See the Guided Lesson Plan
High quality materials
Eco-Happy
Fun & Engaging Activities
Ages/Stages
Common Core
Our Around Town Vocabulary cards are text-free picture cards with 12 real photographs of things students see in their neighborhood and community. Students learn the precise name of each one through the three-period lesson, building spoken vocabulary before they read. They are designed for Montessori primary classrooms, homeschools, English learners, and intervention settings.
Montessori language work begins with the child's own world. These cards bring students' lives outside of school into the classroom, giving them the precise words for things they pass every day and the language to talk about where they live.
Because the cards have no printed words, pre-readers can focus on the photo and its name. Later, students can sort the cards, or look for the real things on a walk around town.
What's included
- 12 cards, each showing one real photograph of something found around town, with no text; items are ones students are familiar with (see photo for list)
- Cards are approx. 4¼" x 3¾"
- Eco-laminated with a food-grade laminate, with rounded corners
- Sturdy, clear reclosable bag for storage
- Lesson plan included
Display these cards in our medium cloth pouches (sold separately).
Created by a Montessori teacher. Eco-printed in our rural New England office.
Made in the USA. CPSIA compliant.
Note: Photos may change from those pictured.
Why do vocabulary cards matter for reading?
Interest drives learning. Montessori is a student-centered approach: the teacher observes what each student is curious about and offers materials that match. Young students are fascinated by the real objects they encounter every day. When they are interested in the topic, students will choose these cards again and again. Each time is more practice naming, discussing, and sorting. That practice builds vocabulary, 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.
How do you use around town vocabulary cards?
First, spark student curiosity by going for a walk around the neighborhood, or by talking about the places students go with their families. Discuss what they saw and where they saw it. Then, choose a few cards at a time and use the three-period lesson to name each one. Once students know the names, take another walk and invite them to look for the real things they've learned. Back in the classroom, use the cards for sorting games, such as sorting around town cards from our Around the House cards. When students are reading, move on to the Around Town 3-Part Reading Cards.
What ages is this for?
Typically ages 3 and up. The cards work well for pre-readers and students in intervention settings. They are especially useful for English learners, since they cover everyday words used in the community.
Choose options
Knowledge Bank
Recommended Articles
Download a PDF of our materials
Follow Us
