Montessori

[Tab]

This came up in a different thread, but it's a viable topic all on its own, so I thought I'd start a new one for anyone who wants to know more.

My son is 9 1/2, he's in grade 4, in a Montessori school he's been in since first grade.

When I was growing up in the 60s and early 70s, there was a nearby Montessori school - however it only went to Kindergarten, and my general impression was that it was some kind of hippie school.

It's not - in fact, the Montessori approach was started by Maria Montessori in the 30s, and it's used throughout the world, going into high school in many areas, even - it's not just for kindergarten any more.

I can only really speak to how my school is organized, but they try hard to be true to the real Montessori approach - I know other schools deviate, so your mileage may vary.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Our school goes to 6th grade (we're trying to enlarge it). We also run a Children's House for 3 to 5 yr olds.

Grades 1, 2, and 3 are combined into what's known as Elementary 1. So you can be a first year Elementary 1, a second year, or a third year. Then you move onto Elementary 2, and you can be a first year, second year, or third year Elementary 2 (equiv of 4th, 5th, 6th).

The concept here is that the first year of your EI or EII curriculum you're learning for the first time. The second year you learn more advanced stuff, but can help the younger kids while the older ones help you, and the third year, you're learning more advanced stuff still, and yet helping the younger ones, which reinforces it.

ASSIGNMENTS AND LEARNING
Each class (EI or EII) is lead by a teacher and maybe their assistant. Usually the day starts off in a circle, with the teacher bringing some story to read, or some topic, whatever. They may have a current theme (e.g.: dinosaurs).

Each child is responsible for covering certain areas during the week. They may be required to do so much time in art, mathematics, reading, language, science, etc. A key part of Montessori is that the child learns to be self-directed. They can pick what they want to do during the day, but during the day/week (depending on their age) it's their responsibility to fulfill their total obligations. They can spend as much time on a topic as they want, as long as they get all their stuff done in general.

This is one of the first things that impressed me about Montessori. I so very much remember sitting in public elementary school, bored to tears and half asleep trying to do math at 9 a.m.. I also remember classes that I couldn't wait for them to end, and yet others that I wished wouldn't end, because I wanted to spend another hour doing whatever we were doing.

What I like about Montessori is if a kid wants to spend the first two hours of school reading, he can, and if he's up for math in the afternoon, then that's the best time for him and he can spend as much time as he wants then too. I liked this a lot because it mirrors how my son is (and his brother, technically my step-son, although he didn't go to Montessori) - they'd go through periods of wanting to know everything about a subject, just soak it up, then eventually get primed for something else. We'd spend two weeks in the car doing math problems, then one week answering questions about something else - basically they want to learn all they can while they have the energy, and then they are ready to move onto something else, and Montessori reflects that - while the child has interest in science, let them spend the day being interested in science! Still, you don't have a total out - by the end of the week you are still expected to have done reading and math and art and whatever, but if you want to get immersed, get immersed!

The teachers do help them along, and point them in the right direction so that they cover all the bases, but the kids are self-directed. Don't think that the teachers just sit there - they are very involved - but it's not a lecturing environment, it's an involvement environment.

MATERIALS
Montessori has different materials for some things like math, but they are very good at getting concepts across. I'm not an expert on them, but from what I've seen, they are very appropriate and convey concepts well.

I know in first grade my son, in just the first few weeks, was telling time correctly on an analog clock (you know, the old-fashioned ones with the big hand and the little hand). I asked him if he learned it in school and he said no, but they did play a game. Personally, I don't think I got the hang of analog clocks until 5th grade.

SOCIAL
At least in my school they make a point of teaching everyone to get along, respect others, be a good world citizen so to speak (respect for the environment), recycle, etc. They teach children how to solve their own problems, when to ask for help, deal with social issues. There is no bullying.

I will note that one other thing about Montessori is that it's a positive learning environment. Every child is there because their parents WANT them to be there. This is unlike public school where children are there because they are supposed to be, regardless of whether the parent wants them to be or not. I know in public schools there are children that want to learn, but there are always a few whose parents don't believe in school, whose kids don't care about doing well, etc. The Montessori environment is one of choice, and so there are few negative influences.

HOMEWORK
There's relatively little homework. The school believes children should do most learning at school, and that they need the time at home to basically chill out. As they get older, there is some homework, like reading for the week, but they don't come home every night with all kinds of assignments.

INVOLVEMENT
The school encourages parents to take Montessori approaches at home and to learn how the teaching process works.

PROBLEM RESOLUTION AND DISCIPLINE
There's very little discipline necessary per se; mostly the children are taught to work problems out and talk to their peers to resolve issues; usually the kids are taught from the point of view that they are making choices - "You can choose to put that rock down - but if you throw that rock, you are choosing to go inside and whatever..." - basically the same old "if you do that", but couched in a way that the child understands that their behavior - and their consequences - are their choice and their choice alone.

OTHER INTERESTS
When I first checked out the school, the students were sitting in a circle, talking mainly in english, but if they wanted to, say, go to the bathroom, they asked in Spanish (and I live in a very english-only area), some students were asked to give me a tour and they took me by the hand and led me around and talked very intelligently about all the stuff in the classroom; they had someone come in for an hour on one afternoon and teach yoga, they spend Friday afternoons at the library - I swear these kids are more well-rounded academically and socially than I ever was at that age.

My son goes to karate class now and I was speaking to one of his teachers and she said that she just loves the kids from that school (they have about 8 students from there) - they are focused, intelligent, relaxed, and very teachable. Other kids are bouncing around, goofing off, etc. Not to say that the Montessori kids are dour and serious - quite the opposite; there's no stress of bullying or anything else negative - they are all very positive and optimistic and very sharp - a lot of fun to be around.


I hope I conveyed this well; if you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them.

- Tab

[rbnyc]

1. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

My son is only 13 1/2 months now, but this is one of the schooling options we've been thinking of.

[Tab]

4. I would absolutely encourage it

For as long as you can get away with it, that environment is the best thing you can do for them, I think.

Pre-kindergarten is different than post-kindergarten. Generally you have to pay for pre-kindergarten care no matter what, so you might as well choose a Montessori, but post-kindergarten is very different, because typically local schools are free. My taxes pay for my local public school but I choose Montessori, even though I could use the extra $X/month, but I firmly believe it's worth every penny. I've made a commitment to keep him in there for as long as I can manage. I know my school years were very formative for me (and not always in a positive way) and I only have a limited window to do this for him - the early years are where you have the most influence. I actually think it's the single most important decision I've made for him (aside from getting custody, which is another story), and I'd do it all over again. And I've yet to meet another parent at the school that thinks differently.

[abelenkpe]

2. Montessori Rocks

We are sending Connor to a Montessori daycare right now. The place has four buildings on the compound. One for daycare, one for toddlers, one for pre-school and one for elementary school. We would like our little guy to stay there through sixth grade if possible. I used to teach art at a Montessori school back east and the kids there were so bright. I was so impressed with the school I always wanted my own kids to go there. I wish they went past sixth grade though. I am concerned about the adjustment to a more conventional classroom. Are there Montessori schools that go into Jr High or High School grade levels?

[Tab]

3. There are

though not as many. In fact, outside of this country, there's even a few Montessori colleges.

One problem, I think, is that Montessori is great from the ground up, and Montessori students transition well to traditional schools, but students raised in traditional schools may not transition well to Montessori - they've missed the self-direction and expect everything to be structured and sometimes find themselves adrift when facing the alternative structure. As a result, many schools give priority to students from other Montessori environments and some discourage students that aren't from the background, not to be snobby, but experience has shown that the transition doesn't always work the longer you've been in the other system.

As you get up in grades, kids are more likely to have been moved around, and maybe it gets trickier attracting the higher grade levels.

At any rate, as much as I'd like to keep him in Montessori as long as possible, I'm happy with up to 6th grade - that's age 11 or 12, and those are the most formative years. Having been there that long he'll have a love of learning and inquisitiveness.

Of course, students stay in the structured environment until they hit college, when, for the first time, they're expected to be self-directed, and many fail at it (I know I did - it took me a couple of extra years to get through college - not that I was dumb, quite the opposite - I just never had experience setting my own agenda). Even with just 6 grades under his belt, I don't think my son will run into that same problem.

That said, I'd love for him to stay through Jr. High and High School, but there are none in my area.

If you want to tell me where you live (you can PM me if you want to keep it private), I can look up and see if there are any higher-grade Montessori's in your area.

- Tab

[mzteris]

5. Montessori is great!

My younger son started last year (K) and is now in a Spanish Immersion program at the school. He is doing wonderfully well.
I'm really hoping our charter is able to start a middle school by the time my son hits that age.

I never knew that the "work" was actually so structured. I thought everything was just a "do your own thing" kind of place. :)

The "work-at-your-own-pace" environment is a huge plus as far as I'm concerned. It allows children to take as much - or as little - time as they need to "get the concept" and then move on to something more challenging. Challenge is interesting. Things that are too easy are boring.

The personal responsibility aspect is one of the most important lessons that Montessori teaches, IMHO. Children don't just wait to be told what to do and when to do it. This (personal responsibility) impacts their personal interactions as well. While there are the typical little kid disputes, they are handled far differently.

The aggrieved party gets a chance to tell the perpetrator how they feel. The perpetrator listens, then asks what they can do to make it up to them. Usually it's just an apology but sometimes other steps are requested. The respect they show each other in the classroom is much greater than the typical interaction I've ever witnessed in ANY traditional public school (PS) setting.

If my older son had been in a Montessori program, he'd probably still be in PS. He's homeschooled now due to the traditional school's inability to keep him challenged while meeting his learning difference needs. He totally rejects the school system now because he had such a bad experience.

While Montessori is not for every kid, I strongly encourage parents to consider this type of school for their child.

[PA Mamma]

6. How 'bout Waldorf?

What about Waldorf schools?
Anyone here with experience with those?

Thanks!

[AlCzervik]

7. we have one in my area, i'm going to take a tour in 2 weeks

that and a Country day school, i'll let you know what i find out.

[trotsky]

8. Other schools do indeed deviate.

Our Montessori experience was miserable. At two different schools! Both of them had rigid environments - "Now it's time to pour beans.... OK, everyone put your beans away, now it's story time. OK story time's done, now everyone go play." Etc., etc.

There is no organization that makes sure a school follows Maria Montessori's methods if they use the label "Montessori," which is a shame.

[Tab]

9. Then those weren't real Montessori's...

You're right, no one, to my knowledge, "protects" the expression of the Montessori concept - it's not a franchise.

That's not to say that kids aren't all gathered together at certain times - there is circle time (at our school), there is time to go outside, lunch time, whatever... but it's not as you seem to be describing.

I would argue that you didn't have a Montessori experience, then, just something that was MINO (Montessori In Name Only); I would encourage you to look for another school. Any decent school should let you make an appointment to observe a class or two for an hour or two so you can see how they're run. Most schools, I believe, are very proud of the experience they give their children and encourage parents to participate and learn more.

[wildeyed]

10. We have a Montessori magnet in our public school system.

I got the 411 about their open house schedule and am planning a visit. I went to bed last night thinking, oh, I will just put my daughter in the neighborhood elementary, it is so well thought of and so close by. But then I had this very vivid dream basically saying you need to check out the Montessori school. So I will.

The school I am visiting is relatively new, but I have several friends who are there and they speak highly of it. They said the head teacher is brilliant, and there is funding to continue that position, even if she leaves. So we shall see. I am very intuitive about things like this. I will know pretty quickly after I walk in the door whether it is the right choice or not. And like I said, the local elementary is good, so that is a fine back up.