The Montessori method for literacy is based on the child’s initiative, using play and specific materials to facilitate learning. Unlike the traditional approach of memorizing the alphabet, Montessori starts with the sounds of words, helping children break them down without showing the letters. Once they recognize the sounds, the method introduces manipulative and sensory activities, such as tracing sandpaper letters with their fingers or drawing in sand. This approach encourages a gradual and personalized process, adapted to each child’s pace.
The Montessori Pink Series is a widely respected approach that helps children achieve reading fluency. Its main strength lies in providing various ways to engage with C-V-C (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. By the time children begin the Pink Series, they are already familiar with letter sounds. With clear guidance, they can practice independently, steadily advancing in their reading development.
I’ve created a Montessori Pink Series bundle which is organized into 10 levels, with each level corresponding to a specific set of materials. When beginning the Pink Series, you will introduce your child to “Level 1” activities. Once your child has mastered this level, they will be ready to move on to the next. It’s important to follow the sequential order of the levels and ensure that your child has fully mastered each level before proceeding to the next. In this post, I’ll show you how I use this material with my students so you can use it with yours or with your children.
Montessori Pink Series materials can be introduced to a child who has already learned most of the basic sounds of short vowels and consonants. The child should demonstrate proficiency with the sandpaper letters before beginning the Pink Series. While it is important for the child to be familiar with most of the letters before starting the Montessori Pink Series, it is not necessary to have mastered every letter of the alphabet. For example, more challenging letters such as v, w, y, and z are typically learned later.
This is the first material I use from the Pink Series with my students: CVC Words 3-part cards, and it corresponds to Level 1 of the Mega Bundle from the Montessori Pink Series. It consists of 3-part cards used to introduce students to reading their first words, commonly known as CVC words, meaning words formed by consonant-vowel-consonant. Each set of cards has 3 parts: one part with the word and the image, another with just the image, and another with just the word. Additionally, the words are color-coded according to the Montessori letter color pattern.
The way to present this material is by showing the control cards (the ones with the image and the word) and attempting to read the words. The images will help them. The next step is for the student to match the images with the labels. Ideally, this resource should be used with one short vowel at a time. Once the child has mastered the material, all the cards can be mixed and worked with together.
Here are some of the materials I’ve used to accompany this bundle and their purchase links, in case you’re interested:
Level 2 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series corresponds to Read and Reveal CVC Words. It consists of a set of cards where each card has an image hidden. The idea is to encourage the child to read the word by revealing it one part at a time. Each card has the word on the left, with the picture next to it. You only need to fold the card along the dotted line to prepare the material.
The way to present this material is by showing the card to the student, reading the word while pointing to the 3 phonemes and emphasizing each one of them, and then revealing the hidden image on the right side of the card. The child can repeat this material as many times as they want until they master its use and can move on to the next one.
Level 3 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series corresponds to CVC Clip Cards. It consists of a set of cards where each card includes three CVC words and one picture. The child’s task is to match the picture with the correct word using clothespins.
The way to present this material is by pointing to the picture on the left, then clearly saying the word multiple times, and finally picking up the clip and placing it on the correct option out of the 3 available. This resource works on fine motor skills as well as word decoding through reading.
This material corresponds to Level 4 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. It consists of cards with a list of five words, all containing the same short vowel sound. This material contains 3 different cards for each of the short vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. This resource helps children progress towards reading words without relying on visual cues. By using these lists, kids enhance their ability to decode and recognize words independently.
This material corresponds to Level 5 of the Mega Bundle from the Montessori Pink Series. It consists of a set of cards, each with a CVC word written on it. This material contains 17 different cards for each of the short vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. There are five different booklets in total, each focusing on one short vowel. You can choose between two options for the booklets: color-coded words and non-color-coded words. If you feel the child is ready, you can use the non-color-coded option.
The way to present this material is by reading the words and emphasizing each of the phonemes. It is advisable to start with one of the keychains that only contains words with a short vowel, for example, the keychain for the letter A. You will show the child that each card has a word that they must decode and read. The keychain contains 17 different words, so the child will read each one without any visual aid, something they are already prepared for.
This material corresponds to Level 6 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. It consists of cards with CVC words and their corresponding image on the left. Each card has three spaces at the bottom to copy each letter underneath. You have the option for students to either write the words at the bottom or place letters from the movable alphabet, depending on whether you think the child is ready to write.
This material corresponds to Level 7 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. Each card contains an image on the left and the word on the right, with the short vowel in the middle missing. The idea is for the child to figure out which short vowel is missing and write it in. This material includes 16 different cards for each of the short vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. You can choose between two options for the cards: color-coded words and non-color-coded words. If you feel the child is ready, you can use the non-color-coded option.
This material corresponds to Level 8 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. Each card has a picture of a CVC word and 3 boxes for the letters. You have the option for students to either write the words or place letters from the movable alphabet, depending on whether you think the child is ready to write.
This material corresponds to Level 9 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. It consists of cards with short sentences containing simple words and CVC words from the vocabulary they learned in the previous levels. This material includes 20 different cards, each with a picture on the left to help children feel more comfortable while reading the sentence.
The idea is for the child to read the words one by one and gradually gain more fluency in reading short sentences. You can accompany them in this reading when they are just starting to use this material. Little by little, the child will acquire more skill in reading sentences until they master the material completely.
This material corresponds to Level 10 of the Mega Bundle from the Pink Montessori Series. It consists of cards with short sentences containing simple words and CVC words from the vocabulary they learned in the previous levels. This material includes 20 different cards and 20 different pictures. Each card has a blank box on the left. The idea is for the child to guess which of the 20 pictures corresponds to the sentence they are reading.
This is the last level of the Pink Series Mega Bundle, which means that once the student masters this final level, they are ready to read longer words with more complex phoneme combinations, such as when two consonants join together (for example: “blanket” or “duck”).
*If you feel more comfortable making your purchase on well-known platforms, you can also find my products on other e-commerce sites. Here are the links to my Etsy store and my Teachers Pay Teachers store.