Sandpaper Letters - Single and Double
See an AMI Montessori resource for further details not included here.
Materials
Box containing the letters of the alphabet, lower case and cursive, made of sandpaper cut out and mounted on thick cards or wood; consonants on pink, vowels on blue.
11 small letters – 4.25x7.5 inches: a e i o u x r v n c s
11 medium letters – 6x7.5 inches: t l g h d k y q b z j
2 large letters – 4.25x9.25: m w
2 extra large letters – 8x7.5 inches: p f
The letters are placed on the right side to hold the card with the left hand; or place them centered on the lower section of the card for use by both hands.
Lines are not necessary, providing only
an unnecessary crutch for the child.
Sensitizing tray and a tray to carry the letters.
Display: Most letters are in the box but a few should be displayed on a reclining stand and rotated frequently.
Prerequisite
touch boards and tablets; geometry cabinet; sound games
(add in phonogram sandpaper letters after about the 5th individual letter)
Guidelines to Follow
¨ The interest of the children (i.e. first letter of child’s name)
¨ Use three letters: one vowel and two consonants.
¨ Have a few letters on display and rotate them frequently (or child can do so).
Direct
Aim(s)
To help the child become conscious of
sounds in spoken language and to associate the sounds with the symbols through
visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic senses.
Introduce the letter combinations in
English that change their phonetic sounds.
Indirect
Aim(s)
Preparation for writing and reading.
Age
3-3.5 (after much work with the
geometry cabinet)
Endnote(s)
*Color backing should coordinate with
the movable alphabet.
*Show a left-handed child how to hold
the card with his right hand and trace with his left.
*Cursive is chosen over print because
it has a more natural movement and is easier to form the continuous flow of
each letter. It helps eliminate the reversal of letters such as b and d. Since
most children know the names of the print letters, it is easier to give the
sound of the cursive letters as a new experience rather than change the child’s
current matrix of knowledge.
*The sandpaper letters are always
presented at a table for correct writing posture.
*The sandpaper letters are the key to
the whole world of written language. When Montessori was asked how the children
in the first casa learned to write and read she said, “I gave them the
alphabet.”
*The letters should be given in a
lively and interesting manner.
*They should be presented early and
fairly quickly (within three months). It is therefore critical that we keep
track of the letters we have presented. Children who enter at the age of four
and older many not have the same interest in tracing, so it is helpful to say
to them, “Tracing will help your hands know how to write.” You can use the
sandpaper letters and chalkboard together, or in games that involve fetching
letters. Anything to help instill interest. The moveable alphabet may be used
for sound consciousness as well, although this does not give the muscular
experience that leads to understanding.
Phonogram or Double Sandpaper Letters:
Size: 4x9.5 inches; 6.5x9.5 inches
Phonogram or Double Sandpaper Letters:
Size: 4x9.5 inches; 6.5x9.5 inches
Sandpaper
Cyphers
Materials
A
set of figures 0-9 cut out of sandpaper and mounted on separate green boards
(zero is placed at the back of the box); sensitizing tray.
Size: about 3x6 - no specific dimensions
Age
Approximately 4, after work with the
number rods.
Language
cipher, numeral
New
Information
Association of names of numbers with
their corresponding symbols.
Endnote(s)
Present ciphers only when the child
knows the names of the number rods. This presentation is always done at a table
or chowki due to its preparation for writing numbers. The presentation is
similar to the sandpaper letters, noting that the letters correspond to a
single sound while the cyphers correspond to a whole word signifying a specific
quantity. Present 1-9 after working with the number rods, returning to 0 after
work with the spindle box. Other continuing with the sandpaper letters (tracing
on chalkboard and paper, etc) should incorporate the cyphers.
