Reply #54: Have you ever taught Montessori?

[lostnfound]

I was so pleased with the level of independence and mutual respect that was inculcated in my son's Montessori class (ages 3-6). Likewise, the Montessori grade schools that I visited seemed to have similar advantages. The fact that kids spend time as a newcomer to a class with a 3 year span of ages, and later feeling a sense of pride to be the older one showing the younger one how to do something, seemed to discharge some of the unhealthy social competition that can be so mean in single-age classes. And I worry about the effect that the traditional classroom environment is having on his ability to be independent -- he now seems to be waiting for someone to tell him to do something, instead of deciding for himself what to do.

Unfortunately, public Montessori elementary schools are rare, and private schools are so expensive.