Montessori Research
Lamination Study: Vocabulary Cards in the Montessori Primary Classroom
Overview
This study involved 11 Montessori classrooms in the US and abroad who evaluated different lamination formats of
vocabulary cards. The results of that study, published below, indicate that:
Laminating Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, we recommend the following lamination procedures:
Study Abstract
This was an observational, international, multi-center, single-blind study of vocabulary card lamination formats in eleven
Montessori primary (ages 3 to 6+) classrooms with total enrollment of 284 students. The study ran from December,
2005 through March 15, 2006. The study evaluated identical vocabulary cards laminated in distinct ways: Set A with a
flexible, 1.5 mil laminate and square corners; Set B with a rigid, 5 mil laminate with rounded corners. The assumption
that vocabulary cards featuring color photographs will call to and interest the child is clearly supported by the findings of
this study; the cards were regularly and repeatedly used in all classrooms. The overall frequency with which children
chose Set A versus Set B cards was nearly equivalent, although the children were slightly more likely to choose Set B for
the initial presentation. Of the children who stated a preference, 83% preferred Set B cards. Ninety percent of responding
teachers preferred Set B cards. No teachers preferred Set A cards. Seven of the 11 classrooms (64%) studied reported
damage to Set A cards. No classrooms reported damage to Set B cards.
Study Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that when laminated vocabulary cards are preferred, they be
laminated with a thicker laminate as the 1.5 mil laminate was too easily damaged and proved difficult for the children to
lift off the table. Rounding the corners will not detract from the appeal or usability of the cards, will overcome the
resistance some children stated to squared corners, and will remove the tactile distraction of “pokey” corners.
Study Investigator
Julia Volkman, AMI 3 to 6+ (Founder, Maitri Learning), with advice and guidance from Annette Haines, Ed D. (Director of
Training, Montessori Training Center of St. Louis; AMI Pedagogical Committee), Tarin Weiss, Ed D. (School of
Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst), and Pamela Allen, M Ed./Doctoral Student (Education Program
Specialist, Office of Non-Public Education, US Department of Education).
Click here to download the Full Text of the Study Report (including graphs)
Click here to download the Appendix to the Study (the instructions/protocol and study forms)
Overview
This study involved 11 Montessori classrooms in the US and abroad who evaluated different lamination formats of
vocabulary cards. The results of that study, published below, indicate that:
 | photographic vocabulary cards that isolate their subject appeal to children, are used often and repeatedly by | |
| children, and invoke valuable oral conversations | ||
| cards with square corners produce a tactile distraction for children (who comment on how "pokey" they are) | |
| cards with rounded corners provide greater isolation of the visual stimuli (without tactile distractions) | |
| cards laminated with a thin 1.5 mil laminate were damaged (folded/creased) in 70% of reporting classrooms | |
| cards laminated with 5 mil laminate and with rounded corners were preferred by 90% of responding teachers |
Laminating Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, we recommend the following lamination procedures:
| use 5 mil laminate (pouch or roll) | |
| round the corners on all cards, preferably using a corner rounding machine (available as a hand punch at craft | |
| stores or as a manual stack corner rounder such as the Diamond 1 or the CR-20 which can be found at many internet stores) | ||
| paste or print material on heavy weight paper (32 lb.) NOT card stock (card stock tends to pull away from the | |
| laminate; it does not adhere well and will have a shorter life than paper cards) |
Study Abstract
This was an observational, international, multi-center, single-blind study of vocabulary card lamination formats in eleven
Montessori primary (ages 3 to 6+) classrooms with total enrollment of 284 students. The study ran from December,
2005 through March 15, 2006. The study evaluated identical vocabulary cards laminated in distinct ways: Set A with a
flexible, 1.5 mil laminate and square corners; Set B with a rigid, 5 mil laminate with rounded corners. The assumption
that vocabulary cards featuring color photographs will call to and interest the child is clearly supported by the findings of
this study; the cards were regularly and repeatedly used in all classrooms. The overall frequency with which children
chose Set A versus Set B cards was nearly equivalent, although the children were slightly more likely to choose Set B for
the initial presentation. Of the children who stated a preference, 83% preferred Set B cards. Ninety percent of responding
teachers preferred Set B cards. No teachers preferred Set A cards. Seven of the 11 classrooms (64%) studied reported
damage to Set A cards. No classrooms reported damage to Set B cards.
Study Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that when laminated vocabulary cards are preferred, they be
laminated with a thicker laminate as the 1.5 mil laminate was too easily damaged and proved difficult for the children to
lift off the table. Rounding the corners will not detract from the appeal or usability of the cards, will overcome the
resistance some children stated to squared corners, and will remove the tactile distraction of “pokey” corners.
Study Investigator
Julia Volkman, AMI 3 to 6+ (Founder, Maitri Learning), with advice and guidance from Annette Haines, Ed D. (Director of
Training, Montessori Training Center of St. Louis; AMI Pedagogical Committee), Tarin Weiss, Ed D. (School of
Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst), and Pamela Allen, M Ed./Doctoral Student (Education Program
Specialist, Office of Non-Public Education, US Department of Education).
Click here to download the Full Text of the Study Report (including graphs)
Click here to download the Appendix to the Study (the instructions/protocol and study forms)
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| (c)2008 Maitri Learning, LLC. All rights reserved. Photographs in our materials may change as we work to continually improve our products. All card sizes are approximate. |
| We recommend laminating our cards before using them. Click here for research-based laminating recommendations |