Montessori Nomenclature Cards: How to Create and Use Nomenclature Materials

Young children learn language by learning the names of things. They are constantly asking "What is that?", wanting to assign a name, and thus meaning, to the objects in their world.

Montessori Nomenclature cards (from the Latin nomenclatura – "assigning of names") are often used for building vocabulary and concepts in all subject areas. Also known as 3-part cards, this material is made up of pictures and labels. The simplicity of the material is in the picture of an object and its name. They can be used with non-readers as the Montessori children are able to match up the letters on the labels and figure out which label goes with which picture. Nomenclature cards use control cards as a built in control of error (Prepared Montessori Environment: Control of Error). This way, children are able to self-correct without interference from the Montessori teacher.

Learn how to create nomenclature cards as effective materials for your Montessori classroom.

Memorial Day Activities - Peace Education in the Montessori Classroom

Wars are not acts of God. They are caused by man, by man-made institutions, by the way in which man has organized his society. What man has made, man can change.
Frederick Moore Vinson (1890-1953) Speech at Arlington National Cemetery (Memorial Day, 1945)

Established in 1968 to commemorate those who gave their lives fighting in the American Civil War, Memorial Day now represents a day to honor all those who have served in, killed, or are missing in action in all conflicts. An integral part of Montessori education is Peace Education. How, then, can we celebrate a holiday dedicated to those who fought in wars? We do so by doing activities, learning about peace and how we can create a peaceful world.

Circle Time Activities in the Montessori Classroom

In the Montessori Classroom, the day begins with morning circle. This is a time for the classroom community to come together and to greet one another. It's also a time where the teacher might review concepts such as calendar, time, and weather or introduce a new work or group lesson. Often, songs are sung, poems are recited, or bodies become aware with creative movement exercises such as yoga or tai chi.

Experienced Montessori teachers have their morning circle routine planned for the day and committed to memory. For the new Montessori teacher, it's easy to ask "What do I do?" Here are a few excellent suggestions for ideas for circle time.

The Circle of Life in the Montessori Classroom: Activities for Sharing Birth, Marriage, and Death

Celebrations and rituals are important in the lives of children. Through them, they learn that we experience the circle of life, death, and the large milestones in between. Children feel deeply; they express joy and grief openly without reserve. It is therefore important that the circle of life be celebrated within the Montessori community.

Celebrating Birth

Recently, our art teacher and her partner adopted a new baby. Because they found out about the new baby at the last moment, the children were very surprised. When Baby Autumn was old enough, Miss Ruth brought the baby to each Montessori classroom to introduce her to the children. My Montessori lower elementary class was in complete awe. Each child gathered around Miss Ruth in quite reverence, as if drawn to her and the baby by a cosmic force. To honor a new baby in your community:

Celebrating Mother's Day with Montessori Activities

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. – Jewish Proverb

The history of Mother's Day dates back to ancient Greece, where festivals were held to honor Rhea, the mother of the gods. Later, early Christians honored Mary, the mother of Christ, on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This holiday came to include all mothers and was renamed Mothering Sunday. In 1907, Anna M. Jarvis, a Philadelphia teacher, wanted to honor her mother and began a movement to set aside a national day for mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May to be a national holiday to honor and celebrate mothers.

The poet William Makepeace Thackeray said "Mother is the name for god in the lips and hearts of little children". Our mothers love us unconditionally, kiss our hurts away, listen to our stories, mend our broken hearts, and help us grow into capable adults. They kiss us goodbye and love us when we come back home. They are who we call for when we have a nightmare, are scared, or hurt. They are who we call when we have good news. They are, in fact, our best friend.

Enjoy a collection of Mother's Day facts and activities that your students and their mothers will love!