In the 3 to 6 environment, the Child explores the elements of the root puzzle (concrete material), moving onto this abstract material.  Working with this exercise prepares the Child for reading, and (indirectly) writing, and enhancing the Child’s enjoyment of learning.  NOTE: the puzzle in the illustrations are sold separately.

Features of the Root Puzzle Activity:

• the direct objective of this material;
  • to introduce the Child to the different parts of a root
• indirectly, the Child;
  • improves their vocabulary skills
  • develops reading skills
• aligned to the Montessori botany and language curricula

Contents of the Root Puzzle Activity:

• 3 control sheets
  • 2 sheets with an outline of the root; 1 labelled and the other unlabeled
  • a real image of the root on another sheet
• 5 labels for the unlabeled control sheet
• 3-Part cards; 5 sets of the root
  • control, mute image and label
• 1 x A4 Clear plastic envelope to hold contents.

Size: 

• control sheets – 21.5cm x 21.5cm / (8½” x 8½”)
• control card of classified cards – 13.5cm x 9cm / (5¼” x 3½”)
• plastic envelope – 33.5cm x 24cm x 0.5cm / (13″ x 9½” x ¼”)

Suggested Activity Exercises:

• After working with the root puzzle, the Child familiarises themselves working through the labelled control sheet;
  • placing each part of the puzzle on top of the line image of the root
  • match the labels to the parts of the root.
• Repeat the actions above with the unlabeled control sheet.
• As a bit of fun, have the Child build the puzzle on the work table and use the labels to label the parts as they say the word
  • they can use the labels to name the various parts on the image of the real roots.
• After completing the above activities, the Child familiarises themselves with the 3-part card set.
• A further activity, that the Child might enjoy, is to trace around the puzzle parts onto a blank sheet of paper, and colour them in.
• Make a copy of the unlabeled control sheet.  Give the Child a label and ask them to copy the word next to the part of the root on the copy of this unlabeled control sheet and to colour it in.
• When you are working in the garden, and you remove weeds, let the Child examine the roots.  They can use the labels, to name the parts on that root.