Montessori Method
- Classes
- Guides
- Montessori vs Traditional Education
- Child-Centered Environment
- Freedom and Responsibility
Classes
Montessori classes are learning laboratories in which children are allowed to explore, discover, and select their own work. This model recognizes the importance of student choice in creating engaging learning experiences and building independent learners. Students learn and understand the values of compassion, empathy, service, integrity, self-reliance and tolerance. They develop confidence in their ability to ask questions, puzzle out the answer and learn at their own pace. The Montessori program at Emerson Elementary is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all lines of differences – a safe and caring place for all.
Montessori Classrooms Include:
- Multiage groupings that foster peer learning;
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time;
- Freedom within limits;
- Guided choice of work activity;
- Specially designed Montessori learning materials;
- An aesthetically pleasing classroom environment; and
- An emphasis on cultivating leaders of the future who live with integrity and show gratitude, demonstrate persistence, excel, and respect and help others and the environment.
Guides
Montessori Guides
Montessori teachers are known as guides and serve as facilitators and guides who are responsible for ensuring that students work at their own level so they make the most efficient and effective progress. Teachers create classrooms that feel like a "second family" and are positive and productive learning communities. We are educating innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, scientist, engineers, teachers, and humanitarians.
Montessori vs Traditional Education
Montessori | Traditional |
---|---|
start school early (2-3) | start school late (5-6) |
multi-age classroom | single-age classroom |
freedom to move around room | seated at desks |
family atmosphere | little socialization |
individual and small group lessons | large group lessons |
learn by using all five senses | learn by listening, watching, reading |
long, free work periods | planned activities |
enhanced curriculum | grade-level curriculum |
student progress and mastery of concepts | peer comparisons as test |
observation-based progress report | graded report cards |
progress at individual rate | annual promotion |
natural and logical consequences | rewards and punishments |
peace in education | punishment |
emphasis on learning | emphasis on grades |
emphasis on individuality | emphasis on conformity |
freedom within limits | controlling environment |
child-centered schedule and environment | teacher-centered schedule and environment |
Child-Centered Environment
Child-Centered Environment | Teacher-Centered Environment |
---|---|
children complete work | children interrupted by teacher or end of period |
children learn by doing | teacher lectures |
self-correcting materials | teacher as source of answers |
children choose their materials | teacher chooses curriculum |
children set own page | teacher sets pace for entire class |
children work out of joy and curiosity | teacher tells children to work |
self-motivation | teacher motivates children |
children stimulated by curiosity and love of learning | teacher stimulates children to learn |
children free to work independently | teacher guides children |
children help each other | teacher helps children |
emphasis on self-control and self-discipline | teacher as disciplinarian |
Freedom and Responsibility
Choose daily work
Appropriate work choices and variety of presented materials
Amount of time on an activity
Staying on task and interested
Permission to be idle
Watching, sitting, or wandering without interruption
Eating a snack when hungry
Proper food handling and fair share
Use of bathroom
Good hygiene and proper use of facility
Resolve own conflicts
State needs, no physical contact, seeks adult help when necessary
Teach other children
Appropriate interaction, key points
Movement in the classroom
Walking, maneuvering between student work areas
Choose place to work
Appropriate space for activity and not interfering
Work outside
Stay within sight of windows
Travel throughout building
Walk in hallways, know how to get to destination
Nap in classroom
Get enough sleep at night, know when rest is needed
Contact
Diane Beckham
beckhdi@tulsaschools.org