The study of the function of words is first introduced in the primary level to children ages 5-6, who are beginning to comfortably read words that contain blended consonants and phonograms from the Blue and Green Language Series. This work aims to provide children with a sensory experience while being introduced to parts of speech (noun, article, adjective, verb, preposition, adverb, pronoun, conjunction, and interjection.) Oftentimes, a farm is used as a small environment. The adult uses key experiences to help children create concrete connections with abstract concepts such as parts of speech. Children keep fond memories from working with the Montessori farm, which is not part of an elementary classroom environment. They will continue exploring the function of words as they need to develop a strong mastery of the latter. Understanding the function of words helps children become better writers. They understand what word needs to be capitalized, where punctuation is needed, and how to use apostrophes for the possessive to just name a few examples.
Our exclusive material, the Function of Words – Safari (6-9) (Complete Set), offers children a concrete context similar to the farm found in the primary level. Using a Safari miniature environment, children examine and assimilate the syntactic structure of the English language. The Function of Words – Safari (6-9) (Complete Set) consists of an extra-large cloth chart, a colorful printed Instructional Guide, 77 wooden cutouts (animals, plants, humans, transportation), command cards, and color-coded labels.
Complete Instructional Guide Included 
Cloth Chart and Wooden Cutouts
Using the Instructional Guide, you will be guided through various presentations that aim to introduce children to each function. Each function of a word activity offers a variety of ways to manipulate the materials. This helps children make sense of the function. For instance, they will be facing nonsensical phrases to fix, objects to fetch based on phrases content, labels to organize in categories, etc. Before each presentation, the children will be invited to set up the work by placing all the wooden cutouts on a large Safari cloth mat. This part provides children a chance to get acquainted with the different parts of the safari environment. By carefully choosing a place for each piece, children use their prior knowledge on animals to place them in a logical manner. For instance, they would not put an antelope near a lion!
Labeled Phrases with Illustrative Cutouts 
Work on Adjectives
Command Cards and Labels
Movement is a component that enhances children’s engagement and retention. After children have fetched the necessary cutouts inquired on the command cards, they place them on a working mat. Children then use a set of command cards and labels to form creative phrases and depict them using the wooden cutouts. For instance, when working with labels that mention a tall giraffe and a curious gorilla, children go fetch the corresponding cutouts and place them below the phrases to illustrate them. Some command cards ask children to select a cutout of their choice that would best illustrate a given action. For example, children would be asked to fetch something that can “fly in the sky,” or something that can “swim in the water.” Children enjoy staying physically active while learning, and engage happily in these playful activities.
Large Wooden Cutouts 
Grammar Symbols
Dr. Montessori developed a system to symbolize each part of speech, the Grammar Symbols. The Grammar Symbol provides children with appealing shapes, which Dr. Montessori knew it would have a great impact on children’s engagement and learning. In consequence, the Function of Word Safari incorporates the Grammar Symbols in the process. When using the command cards, children are asked to use the Grammar Symbols that correspond to each part of speech: a small light blue triangle indicates an article, a medium blue triangle indicates an adjective, a large black triangle indicates a noun, and so on. Because children see words in clusters of letters, using symbols help them perceive syntactic patterns, which is helpful with memorization.
Writing Component
The Montessori method has for goal to present knowledge using concrete concepts, and to gradually transition children to the abstract form of the concepts. That is why one of the activities offered in the command cards is to invite children to copy some of their works in a notebook. Children use a stencil and colored pencils to represent the parts of speech, using the grammar symbols. This exercise consolidates their learning experience, and is an adequate transition towards abstract.
The Function of Words – Safari (6-9) (Complete Set) is a comprehensive Montessori grammar curriculum that will take you and the children through all 9 parts of speech effortlessly. Not only will children develop an appreciation for the syntactic aspect of the language, but they will also expand their vocabulary while learning. We hope you enjoyed reading about our innovative small environment!
