Introduction to the noun symbol (group presentation)
What is the Montessori noun symbol?
The Montessori noun symbols are as follows: a three-dimensional black triangle, and a large two-dimensional black triangle made from felt.
Introduction to the noun symbol
How we introduce the noun symbol to children?
The directress invites a group of children to sit around the mat. She reminds them that a noun is a naming word and is something we can touch and hold. She introduces the three-dimensional black triangle to the child and tells him that “This is a symbol for the noun”
She feels the triangle and lets each child feel it too. She then explains to the children why a pyramid (triangle) is used in this activity, she tells them that a pyramid is the oldest thing made by people, and the noun is even older. She then explains why the pyramid (triangle) is black, she tells them that black is the colour of coal, fossil deep in the earth ( the child should now realize that the noun has been around for a very long time).
The directress introduces the large two-dimensional black triangles to the children and tells them that is also the symbol for the noun. She then asks the children one by one, to go fetch a noun from the environment and place it on the triangle. Once the children have brought back their nouns and placed them on the black triangle, they go through each noun and discuss them all.
The directress reiterates that a noun is a naming word and the black triangle is the symbol for the noun.
What do children learn from this activity?
This activity reinforces that a noun is a naming word and something we can touch, this activity prepares the children for later grammar work as well it reinforces the concept of a noun.
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.