A popular Montessori material for learning new words, definitions, and historical figures is the nomenclature card, also called the 3-part card. ShillerLearning has created a complete set of US President Nomenclature Cards to add to your homeschool history or language arts lessons.
Nomenclature cards are cards with a picture and a word or phrase underneath. They are used to help with reading, language development, vocabulary, object identification, matching, and learning about historical figures. The cards are often printed on full sheets of cardstock and then cut apart. With budget, ease, and convenience in mind, this set is designed to be printed individually on unruled 3"x5" cards. The only cutting required is between the picture and label cards. Alternatively, they may be printed 4-or-6-up on 8.5"x11" cardstock. Printing instructions are included in the pack.
The ShillerLearning US President Nomenclature Cards are a perfect addition to your homeschool plans and work well for all ages. Typically first introduced in preschool and ideal for ages 3 to 6, nomenclature cards can be used throughout elementary school.
How to Use Nomenclature Cards: The Three-Period Lesson
Nomenclature cards are introduced using the three-period lesson. There are two cards for each president. The control card (or whole picture card) is the card without a line between the picture (the presidential portrait) and the label (the president's name). The other card is cut along the line to separate the picture and label, giving you the three parts.
Depending on developmental level, some children will work only with the control cards; children who are emergent or fluent readers will work with both sets. Generally, three cards are introduced at a time. Once the child can match the label to the picture, subsequent groups of three new cards are added to the work.
Period 1, 2, and 3 with Control Cards
- Lay the control card of George Washington in front of the child. Say, "This is George Washington." Have the child repeat, "George Washington." Continue with two more control cards until you have three cards out.
- Point to each card and say the name of the president.
- Rearrange the three control cards and ask the child to point to each president: "Can you show me Thomas Jefferson? Can you show me George Washington? Can you show me John Adams?" As the child becomes familiar with the pattern, you can drop "Can you show me" after the first request.
- Once the child can identify all three presidents, point to a control card and ask, "Who is this?"
- If the child is unable to give the name, return to step 1 and re-introduce it as if for the very first time, without any hint in your voice that this has been covered before.
- Very young children may wrestle with correct pronunciation of names; this is fine and will correct over time.
- Repeat the above steps with a unique combination of cards each time until the child has competency and closure.
Matching Picture and Label Cards
- After completing the three-period lesson above, get out the cut picture and label cards for the three presidents.
- Lay out three picture cards in order. With the randomly ordered label cards, select a label and see if it matches the picture, one at a time from left to right. Place the label below the matching picture.
- Give the child the mixed picture and label cards to lay out in order and match the names to the proper presidential portraits, as you just demonstrated.
- The control card enables the child to self-check their work and control for error independently.
- The child can practice as desired until the entire set can be matched.
Extensions: Matching Game and Alphabetizing
US President Matching Game: To turn your nomenclature cards into a matching game, print a second set of the control cards. As with a standard matching game, players take turns turning over two cards in the hope of finding a match, until all matches have been made.
Alphabetizing Extension: Add presidential flavor to your language arts curriculum while mastering alphabetizing skills. Before digital catalogs, the library card catalog was where students polished their alphabetizing skills. Nomenclature cards provide a convenient material for practicing ABC order. This activity is a natural complement to ShillerLearning Language Arts Kit B. With the president cards, your student may alphabetize by first name, by last name, or by last name then first name. In the process, your child will take a walk through US history.
We would love to see your students using the US President Nomenclature Cards. Tag us on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook. Have an idea for the next set you would like to see? Leave a comment below and let us know.
Watch: The Three-Period Lesson Explained
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