Adjective

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Adjective
Language - Grammar
Adjective 13.jpg
LevelPrimary
Age5.5 +
PrerequisitesNoun
Article
Materialsa few objects that differ only by color
two objects that differ only by length
writing tray (pencil, red pencil, slips of paper, scissors)
Grammar Symbol set

In this activity the child is introduced to the concept of adjectives.

Presentation

In this example, the objects used are different colored rocks, and a short and a long stick. Just about any objects could be used (see the #Materials section below).

  1. Take the material to a mat or table. (The Grammar Symbol set can be fetched later in the lesson if you wish.)
    Adjective 1.jpg
  2. "I'd like you to get something for me. I'll write a message to show you what I want."
    Write 'the rock' on a slip of paper and give it to the child.
    Adjective 2.jpg
  3. The child should get one of the rocks from the basket. Set it on the table with the label underneath.
    Say, "Thank you. That is a rock, but it's not the rock I was thinking of."
    Adjective 3.jpg
  4. "I'll write another word to add to the message."
    Write the color word of one of the other rocks on a slip of paper in red pencil and give it to the child.
    Adjective 4.jpg
  5. The child should get the green rock.
    Set it on the table with the labels underneath.
    "This is the rock I was looking for, but this doesn't sound quite right, does it? 'The rock green.'"
    Adjective 5.jpg
  6. "How about this?" Move the adjective to the beginning. Let the child try moving the words around.
    Adjective 6.jpg
  7. "Wait, I have an idea."
    Cut apart the words 'the' and 'rock'.
    Adjective 7.jpg
  8. "Try it now."
    Let the child put the words in order. Give them time to try things out if they need it.
    Adjective 8.jpg
  9. "Let's do another one. I'll write a message for you."
    Write 'the stick' on a slip of paper.
  10. The child should get a stick from the basket.
    "That is a stick, but it wasn't the one I was thinking of."
    Adjective 9.jpg
  11. Write the word 'long' (or 'short', whichever is the other one) on a slip of paper.
    Adjective 10.jpg
  12. See if you can get the child to prompt you to cut the words apart on the paper as was done before (or they may wish to cut them apart) so the adjective can go in the middle.
    Adjective 11.jpg
  13. "These words are called adjectives. They describe nouns so we know which one we mean."
    Adjective 12.jpg
  14. "Let's get the grammar symbols box and I'll show you the symbol for adjectives."
    Get the grammar symbols box, mark the nouns, then the articles, reminding the child about these word types.
    "This is the symbol for adjectives."
    Mark the adjective with the symbols.
    Adjective 13.jpg
  15. The labels can be put in the basket for the child to work with independently later. You will want to make extra adjective labels so there is one for each of the colors, and be sure to have both 'short' and 'long'.

Note

It is important to include two example like this because otherwise many children get the idea that adjectives are just color words.

Points of Interest

Control of Error

Variations and Extensions

  • Multiple Adjectives could be used:
    Adjective Ext 1.jpg Adjective Ext 2.jpg

Material

You will need a group of objects that differ only by color. Possibilities include:

  • rocks, buttons, beads, animal figurines, fabric squares, yarn, plastic cubes, plastic Easter eggs, dice, socks

You will also need two objects that differ only by length (short/long), or size (big/small). Possibilities include:

  • sticks, pencils, spoons, safety pins, ribbons, socks

Make Your Own

Free printable Grammar Symbols (black outlines, print on the appropriate color of cardstock and cut out):

Grammar symbols could be cut out of card-stock, craft foam, or plastic (maybe from plastic lids).

Stencil

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 31 July 2020

Basic Grammar Symbols Box
Store Price
Absorbent Montessori $25.00
Adena $20.92
Affordable Montessori $39.00
Alison's $26.25
Alison's $52.00
Alison's $52.00
Bruins $80.00
E & O $37.00
ETC Montessori
no box?
$30.00
IFIT $23.00
Kid Advance $22.99
Leader Joy $24.95
Materials Co. of Boston
small
$65.00
Materials Co. of Boston $65.00
Materials Co. of Boston $75.00
Montessori Concepts $25.00
Montessori Outlet
no box
$9.95
 Montessori Outlet
box only
$13.95
Thinkamajigs $30.95
Waseca $70.00
Basic & Advanced Grammar Symbol Set
Store Price
Alison's
plastic
$47.25
Alison's $49.40
Nienhuis
plastic
$90.90
Box for Both Sets
Store Price
Montessori Outlet $15.95
Nienhuis $55.50
Advanced Grammar Symbols only
Store Price
Adena $17.92
ETC Montessori
no box?
$28.00
Materials Co. of Boston $40.00
Montessori Outlet $7.95
Thinkamajigs
cardboard
$24.95
Grammar Symbols Stencil
Store Price
Affordable Montessori
for 2
$4.99
Albanesi
for 5 large
$52.00
Albanesi
for 5 small
$52.00
Alison's
for 2
$6.50
ETC Montessori $7.50
Mandala Classroom
for 5
$45.00
Montessori Outlet $3.95
Nienhuis $7.50
Waseca $5.00
Grammar Symbols Stamps
Store Price
Alison's $29.95
Great Extensions $55.00
3D Basic Grammar Symbols
Store Price
Adena $20.92
Alison's
no base
$18.00
Alison's $35.70
Bruins $85.00
E & O $134.00
IFIT $28.00
Kid Advance $65.99
Leader Joy
no base
$26.95
Leader Joy $34.95
Materials Co. of Boston
no base
$55.00
Montessori Concepts $38.00
Montessori Outlet
no base
$28.95
 Montessori Outlet
base only
$8.95
Montessori Outlet $57.95
Nienhuis $178.50
Thinkamajigs $37.95
3D Noun and Verb
Store Price
Adena $10.92
Affordable Montessori $12.00
Alison's $15.75
Bruins $35.00
E & O $17.00
IFIT $13.00
Kid Advance $11.99
Leader Joy $15.95
Materials Co. of Boston $48.00
Montessori Concepts $13.00
Montessori Outlet $13.95
Nienhuis
Noun only
$26.20
Nienhuis
Verb only
$26.20
Thinkamajigs $11.95

Further Reading