Sentence Analysis Stage 1 — Subject, Predicate, Direct Object

Sentence Analysis externalizes the child's intuition about who did what. The red predicate is the sun; arrows show who is acting and who is acted upon. The chart is the control — an unanswered arrow reveals a hole in the child's parsing. Indirect aim: grammatical precision, diagramming traditions, preparation for syntax in a second language.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Sentence Analysis
• Level: Ages 7-8

Objectives

• Identify predicate, subject, and direct object using the Sentence Analysis chart
• Place colored arrows from predicate to subject and object
• Ask analytical questions: Who? What? Whom?
• Analyze sentences from favorite books

Materials

• Sentence Analysis chart (stage 1) with arrow slots
• Red circle for predicate, black circle for subject and direct object
• Arrows in colored cord or ribbon
• Sentence strips at varied complexity
• Command cards for analysis

Instructions

1. Present the stage 1 chart with red circle labelled 'the act' (predicate). 2. Read: 'The boy kicked the ball'. 3. Place 'kicked' in the red circle. 4. Ask: Who kicked? 'The boy' — place in the subject circle, arrow from predicate. 5. Ask: Kicked what? 'The ball' — place in the direct object circle, arrow from predicate. 6. Read the full analysis aloud along the arrows. 7. Draw a command card with a new sentence; analyze. 8. Choose a sentence from a favorite book and analyze.

Educator tip

The question 'Who?' and 'What?' drive the analysis. Teach the questions; the chart is just a map.

Assessment

Observe correct identification of predicate first (the Montessori hallmark), then subject and direct object, and successful self-analysis of novel sentences.

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• Sentence Analysis Stage 2 — Indirect Object & Adverbial Phrases
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• Research Report — From Question to Published Paper
• Grammar Box 3 — Detective Adjective Game
• Grammar Box 5 — Preposition with Miniature Environments
• Sentence Analysis — Subordinate Clauses