What is a Montessori School?

Answer 1

Montessori education started as a form of private education, but now there are many public programs and charter schools through out the country.

Montessori education is based on the belief that children are individuals with their own strengths, needs, likes and learning styles. To used the latest educational catch phrases, Montessori education is “multi-modality, differentiated instruction.”

In more everyday terms, Montessorians disagree with the idea that all children learn in the exact same way at the exact same time of their life. They believe that a good teacher doesn’t say, “It is the 4th day, of the 3rd month, of second grade, so open your math book to page 49 and…” Instead we observe each child and ask ourselves, “What does this child understand? What is the next concept this child needs to learn? In which way does this child learn? (Are they observers? Talkers? Someone who needs to physically experience things? Do colors make things more clear? How about singing a song about the concept, will that help this particular child learn?...) What things interest this child so that I can use his/her natural interests and abilities to teach this concept that they need to know?

To achieve this a Montessori classroom is not filled with text books, writing paper and pencils. Instead it is filled with many materials that teach a range of levels and concepts all set up so that at a moment's notice a teacher can reach for a material and teacher a student or students the concept they need to know. Or students can reach for the same material and use it in the way that they were taught so that they can practice a concept that they are working on.

Obviously, a Montessori classroom will not look like a normal classroom. Rarely, if ever, will you find the whole class sitting with their books out looking at the teacher show them how to fill in a worksheet. Instead you will see children, some in groups, some by themselves, working on different concepts, and the teacher sitting with a small group of children, usually on the floor around a mat.

Some people talk about the lack of “structure” in a Montessori Classroom. They hear the word “freedom” and think “chaos” or “free for all”. They seem to think that if all children are not doing the exact same thing at the exact same time that they can’t possibly be working, or that they will be working only on the things that they want and their education will be lopsided. Yet, if the teacher is organized this does not happen. Children will be given a work plan or a contract and will need to complete an array of educational activities just like in a more traditional classroom. The main difference being that the activities will be at each child’s “maximum plane of development”, will be presented and practiced in a way that the child understands, and the child will have the freedom to choose which he/she does first.

Feel free to contact me if you want more information.

Answer 2

A private school based on the teachings of Maria Montessori. Teacher have special Montessori training. It is a very hands on, manipulative based approach. The classroom is full of Montessori manipulatives and children are more or less free to play, use the ones they want with occaisional large group instruction. (This is what I remember from attending a Montessori school as a child)

Answer 3

Montessori schools can be public as well. They involve the philosophy of hands-on learning, letting students do independent work, etc. This method was started by Maria Montessori, and involves learning "tools" to help students with education. In most montessori schools, multiple grade levels are in the same class together (Prek and K, 1-3, and 4&5 are together) which allows students flexibility to explore the classroom on their own, taking on projects and work that interests them.

Any more specific questions, ask me, I went to montessorit schhol from pre-K through 5th grade.

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