Montessori at Home: Reading Independently

The Command cards are a fun way to practice CVC words around the home or classroom. A command card consist of one word that tells the child what to do. These cards can be printed on red paper, the red color is associated with the Montessori grammar symbol for the verb. Remember everything in Montessori beautifully dovetails so that the child can transition seamlessly between materials.

We use these cards during our “circle time”, the reader reads the word and everyone acts it out or the child can read the card silently and then act it out for us to guess. These cards can be used once a child has begun to read CVC words without error. Set a (a) + (b) can be printed on red paper since the commands are verbs. Set (c) can be printed on white paper, so children will informally associated the black writing on white paper with nouns. A black, equilateral triangle is the grammar symbol for noun.

Extensions

Set (b): Child reads a series of CVC and sight words (high frequency) then performs the task either with actual materials or imaginary materials.

Set (c): PRINT ON WHITE PAPER. Child reads and acts out animal charade cards for family or classmates, everyone takes turns reading and acting out the animals. There are a few blank cards on the printable which can be used to write in your own animal/pet names.