Vocabulary Starter Set
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Our Vocabulary Starter Set brings together five of our most popular Montessori vocabulary card packets: Pets, Farm Animals (Adult), Farm Animals (Juvenile), Sports Equipment, and Transportation. The 60 text-free picture cards show real photographs of things students recognize from daily life. Students learn the precise name of each picture through the three-period lesson, building spoken vocabulary before they read. The set is designed for Montessori primary classrooms, homeschools, English learners, and intervention settings.
Montessori language work begins with the student's own world. Pets, farm animals, balls, and vehicles are things young students already see and care about, so these packets are a natural first step onto the vocabulary shelf. The two farm animal packets also work together: students can pair each adult animal with its young.
Because the cards have no printed words, pre-readers can focus on the photo and its name. With five topics in one set, students can also sort the cards by kind, an early step toward classification.
What's included
- Five vocabulary card packets: Pets, Farm Animals (Adult), Farm Animals (Juvenile), Sports Equipment, and Transportation
- 12 cards per packet, 60 cards in all, each showing one real photograph with no text
- Cards are approx. 4¼" x 3¾"
- Eco-laminated with a food-grade laminate, with rounded corners
- Each packet in its own sturdy, clear reclosable bag for storage
- Lesson plan included
Display each packet in one of 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.
Watch a vocabulary lesson
See how a Montessori teacher presents a vocabulary card lesson, step by step.
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 animals, balls, and vehicles 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 the Vocabulary Starter Set?
Start with one packet that matches a student's interest. Spark curiosity by discussing where students have seen these things, such as a pet at home, animals at a farm, or a bus on the way to school. Then use the three-period lesson on a few cards at a time. Match cards to real objects when you have them. Once students know the names, invite them to sort. Try an easier contrast first, such as pets vs. transportation, then a more challenging one, such as pairing each adult farm animal with its young. When students want more possibilities with the same words, move onto our Matching Cards. When students are reading, move on to the matching 3-Part Reading Cards.
What ages is this for?
Typically ages 3 and up. The cards work well for pre-readers, English learners, and students in intervention settings.
Is this a good first vocabulary set?
Yes. These five topics are familiar to most young students, so it is an easy place to begin a vocabulary shelf in a new classroom or homeschool. As interests grow, add single-topic packets from our vocabulary cards collection, or build a full shelf with the Basic Vocabulary Card Set.
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