Fine Art Matching Variety Pack

Interest drives learning. Montessori is a student-centered approach: the teacher observes what each student is curious about and offers materials that match. Students often form strong attachments to particular works of art, and they will choose those works again and again. Each time is more practice naming the art and discussing what they see. That practice builds vocabulary and background knowledge, two of the language comprehension strands of Scarborough's (2001) reading rope. A student who knows Van Gogh's The Starry Night now will understand more when they later meet it in a text.

First, make sure students know the art. Use our Fine Art Display Cards, or teach the names with one set of these cards and the three-period lesson. Start with just a few works of art if 12 is too many, and add more as students are ready. Then:

1. Sort: Students use the dots on the back to make a red pile and a blue pile.
2. Match side by side: Students lay out one set and place each matching card next to its partner, naming the art as they go.
3. Match at a distance: Students place one set across the room and carry each card over to find its match. This adds purposeful movement and a reason to repeat the work.
4. Play memory: Students turn the cards face down in a grid and play a classic memory game.

When students begin to write, invite them to write about their favorite art using the movable alphabet, a chalkboard, or pencil and paper. When they are reading non-phonetic words, move on to Fine Art 3-Part Reading and Artists 3-Part Reading. Finally, students can match each artwork with both its title and its artist using our Fine Art 4-Part Cards.

Typically ages 3 and up. The cards have no text, so they work for pre-readers. They also work for older students who love art, English learners, and students who need extra vocabulary support.