Moveable Alphabet

Materials:-

- Large Moveable Alphabet – a box divided into components containing the lower case lesser of the
alphabet cut out in cardboard (or plastic). The vowels are blue and the consonants are pink.

- Medium-sized Moveable Alphabet in a compartmented box. For a class of 34-37 children, six boxes are
recommended, two sets having blue vowels and four sets having all letters the same color.

- Small Moveable Alphabet in compartmented box. All letters the same color. Two sets each a different
color from the other.

- A mat of an appropriate size for some of the Exercises.

Notes:-

Observe the child for readiness. The Prerequisites are the ability to analyze words into their component
sounds in order and reorganization of the graphic symbols for the sounds.

It is best to begin the Moveable Alphabet when the child knows all of the Sandpaper Letters so it is not
necessary to edit the words the child composes.

Some children respond to this activity more readily if the words chosen relate to a topic of interest to
them. Encourage the child to think of words to write.

Do not ask the child to read the words he has composed.

For a child who has not arrived at the usual level or readiness, this work can be started if the child’s
interest is high and the child knows 10-12 sandpaper letters, including 2-3 vowels. The directress will
need to dictate all the words so they can be edited to those which can be made with symbols/sounds
which the child knows.

Moveable Alphabet work progresses from single words to phrases, sentences and finally stories. These
Exercises in which the child symbolizes his own thoughts is the beginning to creative writing.

It is important to observe the child’s work to see if he can analyze fully and correctly symbolize each
sound.

Spelling will be phonetic and is not correct in the early work.

Presentation 1: Building Words:-

Introduce conversationally the making of words and think of a nice category with the child

Have the child sound out a word with you.

Find the symbol for each sound and lay them out clearly. (See illustration) Teacher makes the first word
or words until child seems to understand.

Help child to lay out the letters and to form the word that he is sounding out

Observe the child when he is tiring and conclude the work.

Ask the child to contribute words, filling in if the child cannot.

Show child how to collect the letters by starting with the last letter and looking for the same letter in
other words.

Replace in appropriate compartment.

Once all letters have been returned, close the box and return the box to the shelf.

Exercice:-

Child can take out the box whenever he likes.

Presentation 2: Age and Readiness to begin work but is not yet ready:-

Show child the box and the way in which words are made as in the above presentation.

Difference is that you will have pre-selected the symbols the child knows and will have isolated them on
the lid. (Words for this presentation will be selected by the directress.)

Remember to continue to teach the sandpaper letters so the child’s work with the Moveable Alphabet
will continue to grow.

Both of the work will be simultaneous.

Once the child knows all of the sandpaper letters, he can move to the box with all of the letters.

Exercice:-

Child can get out the box and make words that are created by the directress.

Presentation 3: Building Phrases:-

Done as before but this time you will be making more than one word, you will be construction a phrase.

Be sure to show the child how to leave a space between words by placing two fingers at the end of the
word.

Exercice:-

Done as in the presentation, with the aid of the directress as needed.

Presentation 4: Building Sentences:-

Help the child make a complete thought and then express it in the graphic symbols.

Exercice:-

Child will work as in the presentation with the help of the directress as needed.

Presentation 5: Building Stories:-

Turn the rug horizontally so you have a larger space for the words.

Elicit a topic of interest from the child.

Help him to write a story about his idea.

Show the placement of the whole hand at the end of a sentence.

Exercice:-

Child will work as in the presentation with the help of the directress as needed.

Purposes:-

- To help the child with the analysis and exploration of the language which is known to him and to
reproduce words with graphic symbols.

- Preparation for writing and reading.

Control of Error:-
The Directress and then none as the child grows to do this activity alone

Age:-

4years onward

Montessori Basics 8: Pink, Blue, and Green Series

The Pink, Blue, and Green Series work is an integral part of Montessori language. Many people have
questions about these materials, though. They don’t seem quite as self-explanatory as other common
Montessori work. There’s a lot to know about the history and usage of these materials – so read on for
more info!

When Maria Montessori began working with the children in the first Casa dei Bambini (Children’s
House), she gave them sandpaper letters to trace while saying the correct sound. She didn’t do any
specific work in the area of reading, but almost effortlessly, the children began to read. Italian is a very
phonetic language (words are spelled the way they sound), and once the children knew the sounds, they
could read.

After the Montessori method was brought to the United States in the 1920s, it was clear that another
approach was needed to teach reading and writing in English. While there are many phonetically spelled
words in English, there are even more that use “phonemes”; that is, groups of letters that create distinct
sounds when combined. For instance, “ough” can make several sounds, as in “through” or “bough”.
These sounds need to be memorized; they can’t be sounded out phonetically.

The Pink, Blue, and Green Series materials were developed to meet that need. They break down the
essentials of English phonics into three groups: short vowel sounds, consonant blends, and phonetic
combinations. By moving through these materials in order, a child is able to easily master the art of
reading and writing in English.

The Pink Series materials are where it all begins. Pink Series words consist of three letters: a beginning
and ending consonant, and a vowel in the middle. All of the vowel sounds in this series are short vowels:
“a” as in “cat”; “e” as in “bed”, “i” as in “pig”, “o” as in “hot”, and “u” as in “bus”. The letter “y” is not
included in this grouping.
After mastering the Pink Series, the child is ready to move to Blue Series words. These words consist of
consonant blends (at the beginning or end of the word, or both), and a short vowel sound. Examples
would include “flag”, “mend”, and “clock”. There are about 20 different blends, if you include doubles
like “ll” and “ss”. The child may work on this step for quite awhile, as there are hundreds of words that
fit into this scheme (see picture for an example of Blue Series matching cards).

Once the Blue Series words have been mastered (essentially, that means the child is familiar with all the
blends and can spell most Blue Series Words), they are ready for Green Series. The Green Series is where
reading fluency really begins, as the child now has the keys to unlock the inconsistencies and
idiosyncrasies of the English language.

The Green Series words consist of all the major phonemes, for example: “ai”, “ou”, “ie”, and “ow”. It
also includes vowel combinations with a consonant in the middle, like “a_e” or “i_e” where the “_” is a
consonant. These would be words like “cake” or “mice“. It includes silent letters, hard and soft letters,
and many other difficult spelling and reading challenges. There are about 40-50 different sound
combinations in this group.

There is a huge variety of Pink, Blue, and Green Series work. Common ones include matching cards,
rhyming cards, using the movable alphabet to spell words, cards with lists of words for spelling or
reading practice, and word cards with matching objects. Materials differ by classroom and teacher and
most Montessori companies have their own personalized sets of materials that are all slightly different