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Why Choose a Montessori Classroom?
Who is Maria Montessori?
Isn't Montessori just for pre-school aged children?
What would I see in a Montessori Classroom?
What is the role of the teacher?
What are the differences in the learning and teaching?
Why do I see students of different ages?
What are all of those things on the shelves?
Are Montessori Schools religious?
It seems that children can "do whatever they want whenever they want."
How much individual attention does my child receive?
How do Montessori students do on standardized tests?
Can Montessori students transition to a traditional classroom?
Is Montessori just for special education or special needs children?
How can my children go to Montessori but still be involved in my neighborhood?
Is it true that Montessori does not give homework?
Don't see your question here? Feel free to e-mail us and we will get back to you quickly!
Who is Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori was the first female physician. Born in Italy, she designed a curriculum and concrete materials based on the academic and psychological needs of the child. Her thoughts, ideas, and theories continue to be reinforced by current educational theories.
Montessori schools are located worldwide and have successfully educated children since Dr. Montessori opened her first Casa de Bambini in Rome in 1907, nearly 100 years ago.
Isn't Montessori just for pre-school aged children?
Montessori methods work for all levels of education. Because Montessori is an individualized program, all children benefit. Children who are academically advanced can be continually challenged both by self discovery and teacher initiated activities. The child who may be slower to develop in one or more areas has the advantage of a great deal of one-on-one direction by the teacher as well as the advantage of a three year cycle. All children, regardless of their level of development, need encouragement, unconditional love and a positive self-image. Montessori helps develop all of these.
The elementary child also needs to exert his independence. Freedom in his environment and the opportunity to exercise his own will are the keys to each child's development. The fact that students can use peers as teachers further encourages this freedom. The fact that they have models in both academics and behavior let the child learn from peers of their own age group.
What would I see in a Montessori Classroom?
The Montessori classroom is very different than the traditional classroom setting. It is designed specifically for the physical, mental, and developmental needs of each child. These methods, some of which date back decades, are supported by current educational research. A Montessori classroom may look chaotic to a new observer, but upon closer evaluation you see each child engaged in his own activities. A teacher may be giving a reading lesson to a small group while another group is working on their math facts. Another child may be sitting alone and working on her writing. Each child is engaged in a task and little classtime is wasted. Students develop a respect for each other and the classroom.
Students are also encouraged to work together. Unlike traditional schools, the teacher does not provide every answer the child is looking for. Children are encouraged to discover answers for themselves. They often find a peer to guide them on their search. This teamwork teaches children how to cooperate with their classmates and builds a bond of inter-dependence not seen in traditional schools.
What is the role of the teacher?
A traditional classroom lesson may go like this. The class is studying the circulatory system:
- The teacher gives a lesson on the circulatory system with vocabulary
- The teacher tells the children they need to create a poster using all of the vocabulary words.
- The teacher hands out worksheets to show where each vocabulary word goes
- The children create the assignment based on the worksheet and the teacher's lesson.
The Montessori teacher is a facilitator. She may lead lessons but also leaves the learning open ended. As the example above, this may be a typical Montessori classroom:
- Teacher explains they are going to learn about the circulatory system.
- Teacher explains that each student is responsible for learning about the system using the materials in the room.
- One child writes a report on the circulatory system based on information from the encyclopedia.
- Another child creates a model using straws and a pump based on a picture they saw in a library book.
- A third may create a poster labeled with each part of the circulatory system.
What are the differences in the learning and teaching?
A traditional classroom sees the child in one dimension - the cognitive learner. They focus on rote facts and memorization.
The Montessori classroom focuses on the child as a whole learner. The child is taught how to interact socially. She is taught how to deal with problems emotionally. Students are encouraged to solve problems on their own rather than have a teacher solve them.
Cognitive intelligence and emotional intelligence are both stressed in a Montessori environment.
Why do I see students of different ages?
When your child was a baby you could not wait for him to take his first steps. For some children it happens at 8 months, others need until 15 months. Both though are considered 'normal.' However, when you get to a traditional school, if a child does not read a certain book at a certain time at a certain level they are considered 'behind.'
Montessori schools realize that children learn different subjects at different speeds. A child may learn math quickly but be slower at reading. The classroom is set up so that children have a number of goals to reach within a three year cycle. This also allows the child that has mastered her addition facts to spend more time focusing on their writing.
The multi-aged classroom also allows students to become teachers themselves. Older children can lead discussions, assist younger students with work, and engage students by
reading to them. Older students become models for the younger ones and get self-satisfaction from teaching a child a new concept. They also reinforce what they have learned
by re-teaching it to younger students. Watching the more advanced work of the older children stimulates younger children to perform as well.
What are all of those things on the shelves?
The items in a Montessori classroom take abstract thoughts and turn them into concrete materials. Each manipulative is designed specifically for the age group in which the child is learning. The materials are self-teaching and self-correcting. The teacher comes to a child's aid when she feels the child is stuck and frustrated, or is ready to advance to the next skill. This again teaches the child independence and also shows the child that the teacher will be there if he is in need of assistance.
Are Montessori Schools religious?
While some Montessori schools have religious affiliations (like many other private schools) the McGlaughlin School is a non-affiliated school. We are not religion based and do not promote any one religion.
It seems that children in a Montessori classroom are unsupervised and can "do whatever they want whenever they want."
Montessori is based on a principle of free choice of purposeful activity. If the child is being inappropriate or is using materials in improper or aimless ways, the teacher will intervene and re-direct the child's learning. Structured time does exist (such as when teachers give lessons or during community circle) and students are expected to participate in those activities. Children gain freedom through responsible actions.
How much individual attention does my child receive?
While we believe it is extremely important for a child to become an independent worker and learner, we also know and value the importance of having one-on-one time with a teacher. Teachers are available for your child when she needs help. Each child needs to learn when and how to ask for help, and the teacher must reinforce these important skills with appropriate comments and guided learning. Since the class knows how to work without the constant need for adult supervision, the vast majority of the teacher's time is spent with small group and one-on-one lessons.
How do Montessori students do on standardized tests?
Students that have stayed at McGlaughlin school for at least one three year cycle have tested in the 90th or higher percentile in all testing categories. Students score in the highest percentiles in math, spelling, reading, language, science, and social studies. These results are consistant for the lower elementary classroom, upper elementary classroom, and the middle school.
Can Montessori students transition to a traditional classroom?
Teachers at other schools often comment on the Montessori child's unusual ability to focus and to work independently as well as in groups. They are excellent problem solvers and manage their time well.
Currently, McGlaughlin school has graduated students that now attend many public and private high schools with extremely high rates of success, and our first eighth grade graduates are now starting college.
Is Montessori just for special education or special needs children?
The Montessori environment is not designed for any specific level of child. Parents of special needs children may be attracted to the low student-teacher ratios and hands on learning, however Montessori is not a special needs program.
How can my children go to Montessori but still be involved in my neighborhood?
Children of all ages have many different interests. Just like local public schools, children may have other friends when they are involved in sports, clubs, church, or other extracurricular activities. Montessori encourages children to become an active part of their community. Children are still capable of playing with neighborhood children after school hours, and usually have more time to do so due to the Montessori homework philosophy.
Is it true that Montessori does not give homework?
Children in the lower education montessori classroom are given daily and/or weekly assignments. In the upper elementary and middle school, students are given daily assignments. They are also given ample time to complete this work during the school day. Any assignment that is not completed during the work day is considered homework due back the next day.
Montessori believes that practical life skills are just as important to teach as giving math worksheets. Students are encouraged to assist the family with laundry, making dinner, cleaning, and other household chores. These life skills further develop the independence of the child.
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