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montessori schools

montessori schools questions and answers

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Q: Montessori Schools???????
Has anyone heard of these "Montessori Schools"? What is your opinion on their method of learning? Is it good for a 5th grader?

A: I LOVE it when I spot a bad answer. Let me begin by addressing the answer above then I'll address your question. He said: "Montessori educational theories are highly speculative," He seems to be using the term speculative to refer to "theoretical rather than demonstrable." ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative ) Why is it, then, that the research supports Montessori Education? Quote: "The system involves making children handle blocks and observe colours and things." Not very detailed information. And incorrect. Montessori education does not make the child do anything. Children actively choose to do things. Quote: "They have a philosophy of not introducing children to any subject until they are 'ready' for it. Critics suggest that this severely limits children's accomplishments. In particular, boys can find the system frustrating." What research is there to support that? And what's wrong with not introducing something until a child is ready for it? It seems the opposite is what frustrates most children - teaching them things before they are ready. How many times have you had to sit through school and learn something you simply did not understand? "If your child is not going to be looking for a formal academic education, you can get away with this for a while - but by 5th grade the heat is starting to build up," Then give your child the tools to handle the heat. What Montessori does is prepare children for learning - not prepare children for simple rote memorization. Children who tend to feel pressure do so because they are learning things that are inappropriate and learning them in an inappropriate way ~ something our school systems tend to be based around. "and you will have to remember that the future competition is not going to be limited to other students from the Montessori school." If you WANT to go that route, it will be involved with people such as: Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the 2 people that started Google Jeff Bezos, who started Amazon.com Will Write, creator of the Sims games Anne Frank, the Jewish holocaust victim whose diaries are now famous Mallory Lewis - Shari's daughter who took over Lambchop's act after Shari's death. They all went to Montessori schools. But Montessori's not about who is the "top." Neither is life, really. Montessori is about who you are. Helping your child develop a sense of confidence, love, and respect for who the child is. Back to your question....the question of "is it good for a fifth grader" depends on many variables. If you are looking to enroll him now as a 5th grader, there are many things to consider. First off, he will likely be behind academically from the rest of the students. You will have to take into account how he will feel about that and discuss it with the school. On a theoretical level, it should not matter much because Montessori is designed to meet the needs of every individual child and it does not matter where the child is academically. However, being put into a completely foreign type of environment and seeing that he doesn't know how to do many of the materials that children have been working with since Preschool might make him uncomfortable. Or he might see it as a great opportunity. That's something you will have to guage. But it is a major reason why children won't be accepted at many schools at such a late age. Another thing your child might find as a shock is the freedom. Many schools are very restrictive. Being left alone for 3 hours to choose work might leave him unable to really understand what he may or may not do. So Montessori is fantastic - it's great. But there are problems that come up with starting late. (No rhyme intended - honestly) Matt

Q: If Montessori schools are so great why do most of them only go to age 12?
I am trying to do research and become more confused by each website. No textbooks, no grades, the Montessori schools hype the program. If it is so great then why do the majority stop at 12 years of age? What happens to the kids after that? They will have to go from small classrooms to private or public school? Someone explain this to me because it does not make any sense.

A: No textbooks, no grades, the Montessori schools hype the program…Someone explain this to me because it does not make any sense. Montessorians see text books as limiting. "It is the third day of the fourth month so everybody turn to page 64."Instead we believe in giving children the information they need in many other ways. We teach them the concepts through manipulating objects, color, movement, matching, comparing, researching and so on. Additionally we feel that simply going to a text book for information doesn’t teach a child how to learn. When they are older and have a question, but aren’t in a class, children who are taught to rely on textbooks won’t know how or where to get the answer. But a child who is taught to use the library, the internet, to gather information from their surroundings, use prior knowledge and so on, will. The lack of grades really refers to the fact that children aren’t limited to the work for the grade they are in. For example, I have a second grader who is doing end of the year third grade work right now in October, he will probably be doing fourth grade and maybe even some fifth grade work by the end of the year. He is not limited to second grade work simply because of his age or “grade’. Consequently, I have a third grader whom I just received this year. She came in VERY low, mainly doing some first grade work and even struggling with some kindergarten concepts. She too is not limited to her grade. Let’s face it, how can you expect her to do 500 – 287 when she can’t even do 3-1? When I realized how little she understood, I didn’t say, “You are in 3rd grade so you have to do this work. I looked at what she was capable of doing and then taught her the very next concept she needed to know. As she masters concepts, she will move on to the next one. Not a pace dictated by a textbook or a grade level, but by her ability. Which also brings us to another aspect of the “no grades” in Montessori. In Montessori we work towards mastery. Complete understanding of a topic. In a grade focused classroom people often work on learning tricks to pass the test. This may get them a good grade, but they often have very little understanding of the concept, so that when that concept goes more in depth, they can’t relate or apply their knowledge to the new concept. For example, my district third grade students learn how to add fractions with like denominators. Many teachers teach them to “add the top number, keep the bottom number”. This little trick works magic and they get a great grade on the fractions part of the test. But the next year in fourth grade when they now have to add fractions with different denominators they are floundering. 1/3 + 1/3 is 2/3, but 1/5 + ¾ is not 4/9. Fourth grade teachers know this problem and complain bitterly, but the only responce that they get is, “But their scores in third grade in fractions are high!” Another problem with being grade orientated is the child who does enough to get the lowest passing grade possible. “Well I passed.” Is what I usually hear from them. When we focus on mastering a topic instead of just getting a grade these children have no way to “just squeak by”. If it is so great then why do the majority stop at 12 years of age? Actually the majority of Montessori schools end at age 4 or 5 since the majority of Montessori schools are pre-schools. But you are correct, there are many that stop at age 12. Why? Montessori philosophy states that as children mature so does their brain. Classrooms are set up to reflect these different methods of acquiring knowledge. A pre-school classroom is set up so that children can “organize their environment” (I call this the “what?” stage, “What is this? “What is that?) Elementary classrooms are set up for children who are organizing their mind. (The “why” stage- “Why is the grass green? Why is that a dog and that a cat, they both have four legs, hair and a tail?...) Junior High students- the age that many Montessori schools stop, are entering the “How” stage. “How is this going to help me in life?” They are no longer satisfied with knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but how will this knowledge fit into their future life? In a “traditional” Montessori environment this is the time that the children entered an Erd- kinder (land-farm school). In this environment the children ran a farm or a factory, learning to apply all the knowledge that they have acquired and learning first hand what other knowledge they are going to need to be fully functioning adults. The problem is that in this day of college prep courses, SAT’s and so on, this environment scares parents. They worry about their children’s chances of getting into a good college. Enrollments in Erd Kinder’s are often sadly low (there are exceptions though- Houston Texas has a very strong one), and so many schools don’t even attempt them. In other places people are trying to come up with a compromise where students combine work study programs with inquiry and research based classes, college level classes and test prep classes and so on. What happens to the kids after that? They will have to go from small classrooms to private or public school? First of all Montessori classes are often larger than traditional education classes. Often there are 30 or forty children in a classroom with a teacher and an aide or two. Most traditional classrooms have around 20 and cap at 32. But when children graduate, they often do very well academically as well as socially. The most comprehensive longitude research on Montessori Education in comparison to traditional education was published last year by a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, Dr. Angeline Lillard.. Her recent article was so well reseached and documented, that it is the only educational article ever to be published in a scientific magazine. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleId=000D5CF0-96EF-151D-96EF83414B7F0000&ec=ypi

Q: How are children taught math in montessori schools?
My daughter goes to a montessori school and I am clueless in the way they are taught, I was helping my child to understand math more this summer by buying workbooks and she didnt know the math signs in order to complete the problem. What is the way they are taught math in class, I know they use bead frames and other counting thingys, it's really foreign to me.....Any montessori teachers out there?

A: Hi mskash, I don't know how old your daughter is, but at the beginning of the primary level, she is most likely learning through sensorial exploration. For example, the pink tower, brown stair, and red rods all teach the concept of gradation and counting. She will learn sorting, quantities, and numeral recognition through math materials like the sandpaper numbers and spindle box. All of these materials are self-correcting, but it may take several attempts for your daughter to realize her mistakes, and have that Aha! moment. Please don't hesitate to ask your child's teacher to help explain what she is working on and what to work on with her at home. Homework and a lot of worksheets are usually discouraged at the primary level, but you can certainly reinforce what she's learned by allowing her to work on these concepts in her daily life- count the number of apples you brought home from the grocery store. Have her trace numerals in the sandbox when she goes to the playground. I also recommend reading Education for a New World, by Dr. Maria Montessori. It is sort of an abbreviated version of her basic philosophies. A lot of her other books are long, difficult reads. Finally, I recommend investing in a subscription to "Tomorrow's Child" magazine (It is packed with information for Montessori parents and is available at montessori.org), and the website, http://montessori.edu Good luck to you, and I wish you and your child an enriching experience.

Q: What is the difference between Montessori schools, Privet schools and Public schools?
Up north here in Canada, i have seen quite a few Montessori Schools as well as both Privet Schools and of course, public. Would anyone be so kind as to explain the difference if any between montessori schools and the other schools? the answer can be of someone from another country and not only canada as im interested in reading other people's responce. it would be interesting to know from those who have experienced it (attending one of the said schools) as well.

A: Montessori is a type of private school. History & tenet of this type found in source. Privately funded whereas public education is publicly funded. All have public guidelines (based on public education system)but teach under their own tenets. Parochial (church based) is another type of private education. Home schooling - another private type. Most boarding schools are private. I experienced both private & public schools and found the public school experience harsh reality. Transitioning from private to public found areas I surpassed, others I lagged behind within my new peer group=culture shock. Economics play the major role in choosing between the private & the public. Need strong financial back-up to stay the private course. Do believe that experiencing both has given me a broader scope of the world and my place in it.

Q: Any real statistics about Montessori schools and student learning compared to public?
I love the philosophy of Montessori. But I need some facts. What percent of kids who finish Montessori and transition to public high school are ahead in math? reading? Science? History? My sense is that they are ahead in reading and writing, but behind in science and math. The only study I have found is based on a very small data set (not reliable). Are there any other studies? Test scores? Anything?

A: Montessori children EXCEL in science and math. The math manipulatives give concrete explanations of the concepts while generating the traditional algorithms. The science and history curriculum are interwoven not only with each other but with social studies and geography as well as the core language curriculum. ]Although this generates all sorts of writing beyond the traditional fictional writing primarily taught in elementary and even junior high schools , it more so motivates children to read, analyze, synthesize, compare, contrast, categorize, and extrapolate. There are many scientifically based studies of Montessori Education. Here is a webpage that lists many of them. http://www.montessorianswers.com/scientifically-based-research-on-montessori-education.html But the most comprehensive longitude research on Montessori Education in comparison to traditional education was published last year by a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, Dr. Angeline Lillard.. Her recent article was so well researched and documented, that it is the only educational article ever to be published in a scientific magazine. Her findings and other studies’ report that Montessori students have: *more interest in learning, *more self disciplined * have a greater understanding of truth and fairness *more creativity, especially in their writing *are more independence *a better understanding of concepts from grammar and story structure to mathematical operations, algebra and geometry *have a deep understanding of and how geography, history, social studies, and science are all related. For more information check out Angeline Lillard Ph.D's book Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius

Q: Does anyone know of any charter,montessori, or private schools who do testing for ealy admission to kindergart?
My cousin will be five in November. We don't want her to wait another year to go to kindergarten, but we also don't want to send her to the cleveland public school district. we need a private, charter or montessori school that does early admission.

A: Many Montessori schools might do admission year round, but the problem is you're starting late as far as the age is concerned. Many will not take a kindergarten student who hasn't been in Montessori previously. Several will, but many won't. Luckily, there are many great Montessori schools in Ohio, Cleveland included, so you may have a good chance of getting him in there. Visit http://amshq.org/schls/oh.html for a list of Ohio schools. I think there are a few there, but not sure.

Q: Do you have an opinion on Montessori Schools?
Do you think they are good for children? What is your opinion on sending a child to a Montessori School?

A: As a parent of two children attending Montessori school, I am whole-heartedly in favor of sending children to this type of school. In fact, my degree is in Education and I had determined that a Montessori education would be a wonderful opportunity for my children long before I was married or had kids to speak of. I am glad that Matt, a former Montessori student, answered this question, too. I had the same reaction to some of the answers already given. Like these, "trouble adjusting to schools they're sent to later in life" "how receptive your child is to rules and rule changes" "the lack of free play and choice" "many skills do not have the opportunity to develop" These statements couldn't be further from the truth in a real Montessori environment. Anyone who has invested time learning the details about an educational method, or has observed classroom interactions, or discussed the finer points of child development with a certified Montessori director/directress knows the tremendous benefits a Montessori education provides. Here's a few important notes for you to consider, quoting, "Montessori Philosophy: http://www.wmsde.org/montessori.html Montessori education for all children is based on these concepts: The aim of Montessori education is to foster autonomous, competent, responsible, adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers. Learning occurs in an inquisitive, cooperative, and nurturing atmosphere. Students increase their own knowledge through self- and teacher- initiated experiences. Learning takes place through the senses. Students learn through manipulating materials and interacting with others. These meaningful experiences are precursors to the abstract understanding of ideas. The individual is considered as a whole. The physical, emotional, social, aesthetic and cognitive needs and interests are inseparable and equally important. Respect for oneself, others, the environment and life is necessary to develop a caring attitude toward all people. " You may also want to review how much care is taken to provide an integrated curriculum a good Montessori school can provide. As a degreed educator, this amount of thought and actual implementation always impresses me. It is so far beyond what most public and many private schools actually offer. Kindergarten http://www.wmsde.org/curriculum_k.html Ages 6-9 http://www.wmsde.org/curriculum_6-9.html Ages 9-12 http://www.wmsde.org/curriculum_9-12.html Other programs http://www.wmsde.org/programs.html If you want to base your decision on real research and knowledgeable studies, then I would highly recommend reading on some of the following sites, Montessori 101: Some Basic Information that Every Montessori Parent Should Know http://www.montessori.org/sitefiles/Montessori_101_nonprintable.pdf Students Prosper with Montessori Method http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=000D5CF0-96EF-151D-96EF83414B7F0000 New Scientific Study Supports the Montessori Method http://www.montessori.org/story.php?id=286 What Montessori Parents are saying about Montessori Education http://home.neo.rr.com/larrow/parents.htm Research studies on Montessori education http://www.montessori-ami.org/research/research.htm And other snippets of education research articles 1) "Outcomes for Students in a Montessori Program. A Longitudinal Study of the Experience in the Milwaukee Public Schools" "This study supports the hypothesis that Montessori education has a positive long-term impact. Additionally, it provides an affirmative answer to questions about whether Montessori students will be successful in traditional schools." "A significant finding in this study is the association between a Montessori education and superior performance on the Math and Science scales of the ACT and WKCE. In essence, attending a Montessori program from the approximate ages of three to eleven predicts significantly higher mathematics and science standardized test scores in high school." 2) "A Comparison of Montessori and Traditional Middle Schools: Motivation, Quality of Experience, and Social Context" by Kevin Rathunde "With the help of co-investigator Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Dr. Rathunde compared the experiences and perceptions of middle school students in Montessori and traditional schools using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Montessori students reported a significantly better quality of experience in their academic work than did traditional students. In addition, Montessori students perceived their schools as a more positive community for learning, with more opportunities for active, rather than passive, learning." 3) "In a 1991 study by Alcillia Clifford and Carol Takacs, graduates of the Montessori Head Start program at the Marotta Montessori Schools of Cleveland who had entered the Cleveland Public Schools (CPS) were studied in relation to their CPS peers. California Achievement Test scores for Marotta graduates in grades one through eight were compared with the overall scores of first- through eighth-graders in the Cleveland Public Schools (mean percentile rankings for grades one through eight). (No math tests were given in 1989.) As these comparisons show, the former Montessori students consistently fared better" http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/geninfo/rschsum.html I know this is a lot of information. Choosing an educational path for a child should be done with as much quality information as possible. Best wishes!

Q: Becoming a Montessori teacher in a public schools?
Dear public Montessori school teachers who may be out there: Right now I have applied & have been accepted to a state university for grad school where you can earn your M. Ed., & an AMI training center where you can earn your M. Ed. I am totally torn. I would prefer to learn about Montessori exclusively, but am scared to death that upon graduation, I will make no more than 30,000. I am a single woman in her upper 20s, and that is not going to pay back my loans and pay the bills after I attend grad school for a whole year full time...the one possibility I am thinking is that I could go through the AMI training and then work in a public school Montessori for several years. BUT, how hard is it to land a job at a public school Montessori? I imagine that there arent a ton of those positions open. I also wonder how much harder it will be to get state certification to work at a public school. If anyone has any advice to help me gain some clarity and make a final decision, I'd be so grateful.

A: Well, I am not a public Montessori teacher....at least not yet...but I thought I would give you some of my opinions anyway. I've been working in a private Montessori school for a few years now, and have been looking into the public Montessori school to get a job. First, as far as making no more than 30k, that really, really depends on the school you are working for. I know that the public district where I live, starting 'highly-qualified teachers' make more than that. So, depending on what area you are working in will give you more of an idea of what your salary will be. But also, deciding on whether you do Montessori or traditional doesn't change your salary if you are only looking in public schools. You will be earning the same amount in either setting if it is all under one school district. So if you are scared about the money, unfortunately I'll have to tell you that you have to get out of teaching all together. You really have to teach because you love it, not because of the salary. I went to undergrad for my teaching license and continued school to get my Master's and Montessori certification. And I know it will take me a little while to pay back my loans, but I am glad that I have made this choice. This is what I would do for free if I could. As far as landing a job in a public Montessori, again, I think it depends on the area. Where I am, the public school system is in need of trained Montessorians. They will hire any highly-qualified teacher and place that person in a Montessori class, without any Montessori background. So, having training is a huge plus. But, in other areas of the country it might be different. Often, the places that have an overload of Montessori teachers that are looking for jobs are cities that host training centers. If there is not a nearby training center, usually schools are desperately seeking trained teachers. Getting a teaching license can be a lot of work--lots of papers, observations, projects, lesson plans like crazy, and student teaching takes up at least an entire semester. A Montessori certification also is a lot of work, and having done both things, I know that the Montessori training was a lot more work. But, I also learned the Montessori information much better than the traditional. I don't need to refer to books and notes to remember my Montessori lessons, whereas traditional teaching, I would be researching lessons and ideas continually. I think the best thing to do (and this is what I've done) is to get both. Besides, to be a public school Montessori teacher, you will be teaching Kindergarteners, and you need to have a teaching license to do so. I don't know if ANY of that will help you, but if you have any other questions, please ask!

Q: Cost of Montessori Schools for Infants in Los Angeles?
I am considering enrolling my baby (she's 9 months old right now) in a Montessori School in LA. Can anyone tell me how much it costs for infants/toddlers? Thanks.

A: Most of the Montessori schools I know of start with an 18 month to 30 month old program. Those programs range from about $800 to $1400 a month full time. The hours of full time varies school to school. Plus there are usually tuition insurance fees unless you pay the full 10 months up front, and registration fees, also maybe materials fees, and diaper fees. Half-time generally costs more than half of the full-time tuition. Infant care should cost a bit more. A couple of places I know of that used to have infant care no longer do. Some people do home-based Montessori child care. The best way to find one is word of mouth, ask around the neighborhood, since the good ones usually don't have to do any advertising. As others advised, call around and talk to the directors for info on their program. Google Montessori Childcare Los Angeles. Also here is a Montessori school list: http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/dirlistings/California.html Good luck!

Q: What Montessori schools are high recommend?
My family resides in Goodyear, Arizona. I have a 2 year old son and I'm currently looking for an Montessori school for him.

A: You can start off with a basic knowledge of what Montessori teaches before sending your son to a Montessori school that can be costly. Check out the site to learn more. www.montessori-book.com

Q: I am thinking about Montessori schools and need some help!?
I am thinking about switching my 7 year old from a public, suburban school to a Montessori school. They are telling me he has a learning disability and that they think he has ADD, and I don't buy that and I am not giving him drugs. He is incredibly good at Math (of all things) and SUPER athletic. I came across the Montessori schools and it really makes sense to me and sparks my interests, so just wondering if there is a downside to Montessori, or what are the benefits or any info actually. Thx!

A: Hi. I'm sure this is a difficult time for you and your family. Its very trying to make the "right" decision for your child, and then to trust in it. I have two boys, ages 6 and 9. They both have attended a Montessori school since preschool, one's in K and the other in 4th grade now. They have both been so successful academically, emotionally, etc. I have been driving them the 20-25 minute route in the past since its the only real montessori school here in the Columbus, Ohio area. Its also expensive. Due to a family crisis, we moved them this year to our private, suburban school (which is a Blue Ribbon school...just as our montessori school is). Its tradtional. It's been a nightmare. It has been so awful, that They will not return after Christmas break. I am going to have to homeshool them until, hopefully, they can get in at their montessori school again. Their personalities have changed; their behavior, attitude towards learning, listening skills, self-esteem, confidence, and overall outlook on life have all changed for the worse!! Home has been so nerve racking, they could explode at any time over nothing. Anger, confusion, begging to leave, screaming not to go. Finding them crying alone somewhere rather than playing. My 6 year old has shut down, litterally checked out. They have met with us all year over my son's "intervention." Have you experienced these? They have "tests" t hat I've never seen. He has changed so much that my husband and I believe he has ADD--that the traditional learning style has pushed him into this behavior that we have NEVER seen (nor any of his previous teachers). I could go on about how wonderful montessori is, and that I can only hope that all children may receive a full educaion that it only can provide; one that includes the family, the community, and even the world and not just abc and 123 being only spoken over and over as a means for them to learn it. My good friend's daughter has autism. Along with nutition and a great program, she has come so far at the montessori school that they expect her to function in a completely "normal" capacity with no one ever suspecting her autism as she matures. Her Autism Specialist, who does research and consulting all over the world, says that disabilities seem to disappear in a montessori school. As you make your decision, PLEASE remember that Montessori is NOT a legal term. In other words, people all over use that word to describe their school when nothing or very little about it is truly montessori. Def ask where the teachers received their training/certs; spend time in a classroom--if they don't encourage you and your son's visits or try to accomadate your schedule, then that is not montessori right there. What you read about Maria Montessori is true. Honestly, not much has changed since she developed this method. That is a testiment to the validity of her research. Since the 1800s, children still prosper and crave the learning style she developed. A classroom should be calm, comfortable, home-like. It always makes me stop and catch my breath at the doorway, since I'm usually running around from work, etc before I get there. Its relaxing! Inviting--all the parents say they wish they could work in that environment! You enter and children respectfully smile or greet you (because EVERYONE knows each other and they all respect everyone) while they keep on working. The teacher always talks in a low tone voice that is so calming, it makes everyone talk lower than she does. The 3 grades together is so wonderful to watch--the interaction and roles they take on is so natural; they pass on how the ones before them taught them; like a sister keeping her little brother out of trouble by changing or helping him before the parents come it; Plants, some animals or at least a fish tank; comfortable chairs, maybe some classical music, an awesome reading center, all materials are on a kids level, the teacher should kneel and gently place her hand behind the child and LOOK him/her in the eye the whole time he/she talks; there should be a conflict rose or corner or something; kids at little tables or on the floor (like learning at home) with or without someone--they have to learn how to control themselves--children all operating like little elves indivually or in small groups. Its a shocking experience at first-unbelievable and amazing that all the kids can truly operate that way. The next question is usually--how do I get them to do that at home?! I'm sorry, I could go on and on describing the true montessori classroom. Trust the books that are true to Maria and base the school on that. I have no doubt that your guy would excel in it!! Good luck with your decision--you sound like a great Mom who is really trying to make the best decision. Also, if you choose a montessori school, it is a real commitment because most of those around you are in the traditional schools and don't really see why you or anyone should b

Q: can u give me the list of montessori schools in ottawa canada?
can u give me the list of montessori schools in ottawa, canada? i have searched for it on net.but i m not getting the exact list.i m requesting the people from canada to please help me out.is there any montessori school in ottawa run by an inadian rashmi singh.please give me the name of that school.please help me.

A: Start here http://www.ottawamontessori.com/english/about.php

Q: How is discipline handled at Montessori schools?
Does it depend on the schools and vary?

A: When diagnosing these things, it is important to start with basic Montessori philosophy. You might have already run through this, but let's begin there anyway. We can also look at how Montessori deals with difficult children. Lillard's Book "The Science Behind the Genius" outlines 8 principles of Montessori Education. These all carry over into classroom management. It may be that this child is lacking one of them, which will take observation and expirimenting to find out. (All these are found on page 29 of her book, with a discussion that follows it) "1) That movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning." When we think about movement in the Montessori environment, we are also thinking about getting rid of unnecessary movement in the classroom activities. Watch how this student works with the materials. See if he is sloppy in any way. If he is, help him fix that. Help him organize it in his mind. Often times, when control of the materials begins to happen, physical behaviors start to go away. If he is doing the red rods, is he carrying them with 2 hands? Is he lining them up in the right spot then adjusting them? When doing a US Map, is he quickly taking the pieces out and putting them back in sloppily, or is he taking his time and really focusing on the material? At 6, he might not take much interest in a lot of the practical life activities to build concentration (he might not want to seriously do bead transferring), so be sure to have activities that can build a Kindergartener's concentration as well - such as washing dishes or tables. Observe him in these and help him to organize everything in its proper sequence. The painting area is fantastic for this too, as he will need to clean up the easle when he is done. Walking on the line with a bell (that he should try not to ring) or a glass of full water (that he should try not to spill) will help him focus more as well. "2) that learning and well-being are improved when people have a sense of control over their lives." It may be that this child does not have a sense of control in his life. Is there some outside factor you are aware of? You said there were some changes, but they were not that big. Never underestimate how much a change can effect a child. He might not have an outlet for it and he's using school as that outlet. Does he have a sense of control in the classroom? Is he able to teach younger students something? Ask him to show a 3 year old how to do an activity. "3) That people learn better when they are interested in what they are learning." What are his interests? Can you delve even into some of the 6-9 lessons to help him understand a material on a different level? I taught some Kindergarteners, who were really good with math, square roots with the stamp game. They loved it. See if there are new things that can be learned with the materials. "4) That trying extrinsic rewards to an activity, like money for reading or high grades for tests, negatively impacts motivation to engage in that activity when the reward is withdrawn." I will not comment any further. "5) That collaborative arrangements can be very conductive to learning." I touched on this with the control thing. However, does he have someone else he can work with on things? Who are his friends? Try to give two of them a presentation at the same time on a material and see if they do it together. See if his behavior is different during that time than other times. "6) That learning situation in meaningful contexts is often deeper and richer than learning in abstract contexts." My big comment here, as related to this situation, is how well he understands the concepts it appears he knows. Does he have a concrete understanding of, say, the number 3952? Chances are, this isn't the main issue since he has been in Montessori for 3 years and has gone from abstract to concrete. "7) That particular forms of adult interaction are associated with more optimal child outcomes" I don't have a lot to add to this right now. I will when I write about how Montessori handles these things. "8) that order in the environment is beneficial to children." Make sure you have things in their correct order. Make sure your routine is the same every day. Make sure they have the 3 hour uninterrupted work cycle. Make sure you rotate some new materials about once a month to keep things fresh. Once you are sure that the environment is within those guidelines, my next suggestion would be to see how Montessori handled children that were not behaving with respect. "We placed a little table in the corner of a room and there, isolating the child, we made him sit in an armchair where he could see all his companions and gave him all the objects he desired. This isolation always succeeded in calming the child. From his position, he could see all his companions and their way of acting was an object lesson in behavior more effective than words of his teacher could have been. Little by little, he came to realize the advantages of being with the others and to desire to act as they did.... "...whenever I came into the room, I would first go straight to him and address him as if he were an infant. Then I would turn to others and interest myself in their work as if they were men. I do not know what happened within the souls of the isolated children, but certainly their conversations were always true and lasting. They became proud of their work and behavior, and they generally retained a tender affection for their teacher and for me." (Discovery of the Child, page 60-61) What happens in a free environment when you take away freedom of choice? (Not as a punitive system, but just as a natural consequence for children that cannot make good choices in their freedom?) The answer is the child wants that choice again. The child wants to be able to move through the room, work with others, and choose for themselves. They do not like being dependent on you to get the work for them...they want to get the work themselves. The key to this is consistency. If you see him poking others again, you step in right away and move him back to that table. He must at least complete one work before he can join again. He won't like being watched and he won't like the limit of his freedom. He will make adjustments in time, but Spring of his final year, it may be difficult to see a lasting change. My mom gave a talk at a school I was working at last year. She said that you can have (in theory, of course...and just to prove her point) 50 years of teaching where there were no children that caused problems. Everyone comes in, they all hang up their coat on their first day...essentially, it looks like the "Leave it to Beaver" version of Montessori. On your 50th year, you will have that child that is out of control. He doesn't listen to you, he doesn't want to put his work away, he disrupts others while they are working, and you pull your hair out. Remember this, though. That one child is what makes you a good teacher. For more information on dealing with difficult children in a Montessori classroom, take a look at this book: http://astore.amazon.com/monteblog-20/de... 1674808-0433226 It's called "Children Who Are Not Yet Peaceful" by Donna Goertz, an AMI teacher out of Texas. It takes a different stance at viewing children who are behaving how we would normally expect. Let me know if I can help in any other way. Matt

Q: What is your opinion of Montessori Schools?
I worked in day care for many years and kids coming from Montessori always seemed to have very little structure and were a bit on the wild side. What is your experience with the Montessori program? Would you recommend it or not?

A: In my experience, Montessori schools are a bit more child based rather than instructional. The teacher has to go on the whim of the children vs. a more structured lesson plan. If a child lacks self control and tends to have a short attention span I would not recommend it. This is one of those things that you either love or hate. There is very little middle ground.

Q: Are Montessori schools a good idea to put children through?
I'm considering putting my son through one of these schools. I've researched them. I just wanted some opinions of people who have used them. Are they expensive?

A: They are amazing. Most definitely. I am a student there, and I absolutely love it. The curriculum is amazing, as well as the teachers. They are patient, and are willing to help in anyway. I went to a public school before, and the teachers yelled at me, one even hit me. It was awful. My self esteem was really low. When I came to Montessori, the teachers made me feel really good and my self esteem boosted up.