Free Montessori grammar symbols worksheets

The Montessori grammar symbols are nine shapes, one for each part of speech, that a child lays or draws above a word instead of writing a label like "noun" underneath it. A noun is a large black triangle, an article a small light blue triangle, an adjective a medium dark blue triangle, a pronoun a tall purple triangle, a verb a large red circle, an adverb a smaller orange circle, a preposition a green crescent, a conjunction a pink bar and an interjection a gold keystone. The sizes are not decoration: the four triangles show that the article, adjective and pronoun all belong to the noun, and the two circles do the same for the verb and the adverb. Every symbol here is drawn from one template at the same relative size, so a noun triangle is always the biggest triangle on the page.

What's in this set

1. Grammar symbol key: all nine symbols on one page with the name, the shape and color in words, one example word each (tree, the, tall, she, runs, quickly, under, and, oh), and a note on the two families.
2. Noun family symbols: eight three-word phrases (the red ball, a big dog, the tall tree, a soft blanket and four more) with every word underlined and a 21 mm box above it. Three symbols only. Answer key on page 2.
3. Verbs and adverbs: the same task with the verb group added, eight sentences of four or five words from "the dog runs fast" to "the old clock ticks loudly". Answer key on page 2.
4. All nine symbols: eight sentences of six to eight words with pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections, from "Oh, he jumped over the wall" to "Hush, the baby sleeps in the crib". Answer key on page 2.
5. Match the symbols: nine symbols numbered down the left, nine names lettered down the right, dotted lines to draw across. Nothing to cut. The key gives every pair.
6. Color the symbols: nine outlines labeled with their part of speech, to color in and name the color on the line. The key shows them filled in.
7. Symbols to cut out: eight copies of each symbol, 72 in all, in 17 mm cutting squares.
8. Write a sentence: three symbol patterns of four, six and seven words with two ruled lines each. Page 2 gives one possible sentence for each pattern.

Frequently asked questions

What are the nine Montessori grammar symbols?

Noun, a large black triangle. Article, a small light blue triangle. Adjective, a medium dark blue triangle. Pronoun, a tall purple triangle. Verb, a large red circle. Adverb, a smaller orange circle. Preposition, a green crescent. Conjunction, a pink bar. Interjection, a gold keystone. Sheet 1 of this set is that list as a printable page.

Why is the noun a big black triangle?

The explanation usually given in training is that the triangle recalls a pyramid, the oldest and heaviest thing, because naming came first in language. The article, adjective and pronoun are triangles too because they all work with the noun, and the verb group gets circles because action moves.

What age are grammar symbols for?

The noun, article, adjective and verb are usually introduced around age five or six, once a child reads short phrases without effort. Adverbs and prepositions follow, and the full nine are normally in place by about age nine. The three-symbol sheet suits a kindergartner; the nine-symbol sheet suits second or third grade.

Do I need the wooden or plastic symbols?

No. Sheet 7 prints 72 symbols to cut out, eight of each, which is plenty for any sentence here. Print it on card and keep the set in an envelope; the sizes are correct, so a paper set and a wooden set can be used side by side.

Are these the same as the Montessori grammar boxes?

No, but they go together. The grammar boxes are a separate material of compartments and word cards for building phrases; the symbols are what the child puts above those words. These sheets work on their own and also give you a symbol set for boxes you already have.

More Montessori and grammar printables

For the reading work that comes before symbols, see the Montessori language worksheets with sandpaper letters, a movable alphabet and the pink series, and the CVC words worksheets. The sight words worksheets build the fluency that symbolizing a sentence needs, and the Montessori math worksheets lay out the math materials in the same order.