Montessori Sentence Analysis

We all can remember the mind-scrunching days of trying to memorize grammatical sentence structures or parts of speech like subjects, predicates, and objects. 

Children are able to thrive when provided with ample opportunities to indulge in autonomous learning opportunities. 

Montessori Language Curriculum is one the most integral components of the Montessori Curriculum, which prepares children to eloquently communicate from a very young age. 

The Montessori Method is a unique and eccentric pedagogical tool that strives to provide children with ample opportunity to indulge in autodidactic education through self-directed collaborative activities. 

Dr. Maria Mntessori systematically developed unique and effective Montessori Materials and Montessori Activities that promote children to learn complex and arbitrary grammatical concepts through concrete mediums. 

Montessori Grammar Symbols and Montessori Sentence Analysis are two such Montessori Language Materials that utilize the child’s natural curiosity and inculcate complex grammatical principles through visual and tangible stimuli. 

Montessori Sentence Analysis is a great way of allowing children to analyze sentences and comprehend complex grammatical principles through demonstrative geometric shapes and arrows that indicate the nature of parts of speech. 

If you are a parent or an immediate caregiver looking for ways to incorporate the Montessori Sentence Analysis Material into your child’s environment, look no further. 

Here is everything you should know about this fun and interactive Montessori Sentence Analysis Material to conduct Montessori Language Activities in your Home Environment.

What is The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material Anyway?

The concepts and principles of language are very complex and quite arbitrary which can confuse the child. 

Hence, the education of the principle and concepts of language in a Montessori Environment is always facilitated by concrete and tangible materials to help develop an intimate understanding of the functions of language itself. 

The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material allows children to analyze and comprehend the relationship between words and phrases when forming sentences. 

This Montessori Language Material is a great way of promoting the child to learn how to eloquently phrase cohesive sentences. 

Montessori Sentence Analysis material integrates visual representations of parts of speech in the form of geometric shapes and arrows that indicate the relationship between words or phrases. 

Each shape and arrow in the Montessori Sentence Analysis Material varies in terms of size and color to indicate different natures of sentences, words, and phrases.

What does the Montessori Sentence Analysis Material Include?

The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material is a fun, engaging, and unique way of developing your child’s understanding of language. 

This interactive Montessori Material comes in the form of different color-coded geometric shapes and arrows that fashion different parts of speech in a language. 

The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material includes the following elements:

  • A wooden Box with a Wooden Lid
  • One Large Red Circle labeled as “Predicate”
  • 4 Black circles in ascending sizes
  • 2 Black Triangles
  • 2 Blue Triangles
  • 3 Black Arrows with one labeled as “Subject” and two with questions and terms
  • 2 Blue Arrows labeled as “Attributive” and one with question and terms
  • 9 Orange Arrows with questions and terms
  • 9 Smaller Orange Circles

When is the Montessori Sentence Analysis Material Introduced?

The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material is introduced to children after they have successfully learned how to use and manipulate the Montessori Grammar Symbols. 

The Montessori Sentence Analysis Material is meant for children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. 

This fun material is not only effective but also versatile as it can be great for both elementary (6 to 9) and upper elementary (9 to 12) stages.

What are the Aims of Introducing Montessori Sentence Analysis Material?

Montessori Sentence Analysis Material is a great Montessori Material for Lower and Upper elementary classrooms. 

This Montessori Material allows older children to develop an intimate understanding of the different principles of language. 

The main aim of introducing Montessori Sentence Analysis Material is to help the child comprehend, recognize, and analyze sentences, sentence structures, and the relationship between words in a sentence.

How to Present the Montessori Sentence Analysis Material?

Montessori Sentence Analysis Material can be introduced to the child through different presentation methods that allow children to gradually develop skills to analyze, comprehend, and eventually form cohesive sentences.

Presentation 1: Reading Analysis

This Montessori Sentence Analysis activity is aimed at children in the lower elementary level who are about 6 to 7 years of age. 

  • Invite the child to partake in the Montessori Sentence Analysis Activity
  • Lay down the large Red Circle on the top of the Montessori Work Mat
  • Under the Red Circle Lay down one Large Black Circle and another smaller black circle
  • Next to the larger black circle place the arrow labeled “Who is that?/What is that?” and place the arrow labeled “Who/What?” next to the smaller black circle
  • Write any sentence of your choice on a piece of paper for example “Jamie drops the ball”
  • Ask the child to identify the action by using the Large red dot labeled “What is the action?”
  • Tear up the section of the paper which has the word “drops” on it and place it under the red circle
  • Then ask “Who drops the ball” and place the black arrow labeled “Who is that?/What is that?” along with the large black circle and place it next to the large red circle
  • You can then tear up the section of the paper with the word “Jamie” and place it under the large black circle 
  • Then ask the child “Jamie Drops what?” and take the black arrow labeled “Who/What?” along with the smaller black circle and place it on the right side of the red circle
  • Tear up the section that has the word “ball” on it and place it under the smaller black circle
  • End the activity by asking “Notice that everything comes off of the red circle, which is because it is the most important part of a sentence”

Presentation 2: Sentence Construction

The second level of the Montessori Sentence Analysis material is meant for children between the ages of 7 to 8 years of age.

  • Place the kernel sentence circle in the resting position along with the kernel sentence arrow
  • Write down any sentence of your liking for example “The dog eats the bone” and place the required Montessori grammar symbols next to each word of the sentence
  • You can then use the logical analysis form to draw on each symbol along with their corresponding words. 
  • Ask the child “What is the verb in the sentence?” the reply with “Yes, Eats” Then explain how this verb is referred to as a “simple predicate”
  • Turn over the red circle and indicate the label “Predicate” and record the answer in the Logical analysis key 
  • Then ask the child “Who is it that?” and answer with “Yes, the dog”
  • Then take the black arrow labeled as “Who is that/What is that” along with the larger black circle and place it on the left side of the red circle
  • Explain to the child that in grammar “who is that/what is that” refers to the subject of the sentence and write down the elements in the logical analysis key
  • Next, ask the child “What” and reply with “ Yes, the bone” 
  • Take the black arrow labeled “what/who” along with the smaller black circle and place it on the right side of the red circle
  • Explain to the child that in grammar “who/what” refers to the object of the sentence and write down the elements in the logical analysis key
  • Lastly, draw on the sentence analysis diagram at the bottom of the logical analysis key.