Montessori Pink reading material

The language area in a Montessori classroom is quite diverse. The first reading activities are done using the pink reading boxes. When we talk about ‘pink reading’ in Montessori, we are referring to three-letter phonetic CVC (consonant, vowel, and another consonant) words. The following pink reading activities in a Montessori classroom include:

Large movable alphabet: Pink object box

In this activity, the child learns how to build his own words by using the Montessori Large movable alphabet, and the Pink object box. The child is encouraged to build the word for each corresponding object from the box.

Pink object word box

In this activity, the child is encouraged to sound, blend, and read each word from the box, and match it to the corresponding object on the table mat. This is the first reading exercise in Montessori.

Large pink picture word card

The child is encouraged to match the different words to the corresponding pictures on an A4 card. The child again will sound, blend, and read each word carefully before matching them.

Pink word lists

In this activity, the child gets further practice in reading three-letter phonetic words, when sounding, blending, and reading each word on the Pink word list. This exercise increases the child’s vocabulary as there are various words on the list for him to read.

Pink booklet

The directress teaches the child how to care for books not only in the classroom but in their daily lives. She shows the child how to turn over the pages carefully using the pink booklet. This is a wonderful Montessori reading exercise.

Pink secret/quiet box

In this activity, the child is asked to read each word on a piece of paper and not tell the directress what it said, because it is a secret. This is usually a fun activity for children, as they enjoy keeping a ‘secret’ from the directress about what was read. This activity makes reading more meaningful for the child as he will be reading to himself.

Sight/puzzle words

In this activity, the directress does a three-period lesson with the child to teach him the names of the different sight words. This exercise increases the child’s vocabulary, and assists him in learning the sight words off by heart.

Pink phrase cards

The child is encouraged to read different phrases on a pink card, each with a picture on the left- hand side of the card. This gives the child a clue about what the phrase will be about. This activity gives the child practice in reading short phrases, as well as to use a picture as a cue for reading.