Family folders
What is a family folder?
A family folder is a category of green word lists. These green word lists are kept in a green folder in the Language area of a Montessori classroom. There are various phonograms with the same sound on each list.
The phonograms on each list are highlighted in red at the top and in each word. On the front cover, the family of phonograms is printed in either red or black, one below the other.
Family folders
How are the family folders presented in Montessori?
The aim of this activity is to show the child that although particular words are pronounced the same, they may be spelled differently, for example, flower and flour.
The directress begins the activity by reading through the phonograms on the front cover with the child. She explains to the child that some words in the English language have the same sound but they are spelled differently.
She then places the first list on the mat in front of the child, reminding him of the sound these words make. The child is encouraged to sound out, blend, and read the words on the list. once he has completed all the words on the list, the directress places the list on the right-hand side of the mat.
She then places the second list in front of the child, he is encouraged to repeat in the same manner. When the child has completed reading all the lists, she tells him that all the words that they read that day, all sound the same, but have different spelling.
What does the child learn by working with the family folders?
The child learns how to classify the phonograms in each family folder, it gives him further practice with reading words that have phonograms in them as well as this activity increases the child’s vocabulary.
Looking for more Montessori activities?
Here is a list of all the Montessori Language activities. These include Early Language, Pink Language Materials, Green Language Materials, Later Language, and Grammar. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.