Spelling in Montessori - Follow-Up

Another key point to add to the previous Nuggets on Spelling (click on the tag below this post to see the others):

When elementary children are delving into the origins of language, root words, etymology - those things without official album page presentations but that are listed as "work of the child" - they will come to find patterns in our language in a more interesting and enriching way to than memorizing the rules and ALL the exceptions. (yes some of those need to be learned too)

Ever notice that national spelling bee participants always ask for the etymology (among other context clues) ? Yep. They are on to something!

;)

Spelling Contents in AMI Albums

From the Tables of Contents in Primary Montessori Language and Elementary Montessori Language:

First things first: exposure to the key 40-44 sounds in your dialect (presuming English language - numbers differ in each language). This is done through a keys-based experience with the presentation in the spoken language, writing, and phonetic reading portions of the language albums.

PRIMARY ALBUM: 

Phonogram Cards
Phonogram Alphabet Exploration
Phonogram Commands
Research
Spelling
Dictionary
Personal Dictionary
Reading: Puzzle Words
Puzzle Words (primarily reading, but helps with writing too)
Reading: Function of Words
All word lists can become dictation games.
Word Study
All Word Study lists can become dictation games.
ELEMENTARY ALBUM Chapter II: Grammar and Syntax            All Word Study provides dictation exercises.                          Introduction to Word Study                                     Suffixes                                     Prefixes                                     Compound Words                                     Word Families                                     Synonyms                         Parts of Speech                                    Each grammar box provides some spelling rules                                       on one level or another.                                      Introduction to the Noun                                     Oral Presentation of the Noun                                     Grammar Box II: The Article                                     Definite and Indefinite Articles                                     Noun: Number                                     Noun: Gender                                     Classification of Nouns:                                                 Common and Proper                                                 Concrete and Abstract                                                 Material and Collective                                                 Classification of Abstract Nouns                                                 Classification Chart                                     Grammar Box III: The Adjective                                                 Adjective Command Cards & Classification                                                 Comparison of Adjectives                                     Introduction to the Verb                                     Grammar Box IV: The Verb                                                 Verb Commands and Synonyms                                     Other Grammar Boxes & Commands Cards - Notes                                     Grammar Box V: The Preposition                                     Grammar Box VI: The Adverb                                     Grammar Box VII: The Pronoun                                     Grammar Box VIII: The Conjunction                                     Grammar Box IX: The Interjection                                                 Additional Grammar Symbols                                     Personal Pronouns                         Introduction to the Tenses of the Verb                                 practice in changing the endings with the verb tense                                     Simple Tense: Present                                     Simple Tense: Past                                     Auxiliary Verbs                                     Simple Tense: Future                                     The Perfect Tenses                                     The Infinitive and Moods                                     Negative Form of the Verb                          Chapter III: Written Language             Written Language Part I & II             The Content of Children’s Work           Be checking for spelling issues here; develop the child's dictionary with words and needed rules from here.  Appendix: Vendolia’s Rules for Writers Appendix: Singular/Plural Chart

The Montessori Phonetic Approach

From the Introduction to the Language Primary Montessori Album:

We provide the keys to reading, writing and spelling and the children learn spontaneously and joyfully. While we use a phonetic approach, we do not use it in a traditional manner – we use 42 sounds where a traditional phonetics approach uses 150 or more.

So yes, Montessori uses a phonetic approach to reading, writing, and spelling - but that is a huge difference between 150 and 42! Those long series of graded readers? Simply not necessary. Children go from little/no reading to 2nd grade reading level in no time, and within weeks are 5th grade and higher. If they are not, then a crucial key was missed (or too many unnecessaries were thrown in). Or there is another influence within the child (a particular developmental need that should be met another way).

 

Spelling in AMI albums

When looking for spelling practice in the AMI albums, look for the following concepts:

• phonograms (booklets, cards)
• the word "dictation" in any follow-ups or extensions (think anything with a word list, including the phonogram cards and word study)
• (or turn any/all word lists into dictation games)
• function of words 
• word study
• let the children come up with words on their own - dictate to each other
• note typically mis-spelled words in their writing - cover those needed rules through games or direct instruction

Doesn't feel like much, but it is powerful.

The adults are responsible for ensuring all the areas have been introduced and are being utilized.