Montessori Education

[Firey Moon Sign]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this site, but I want to get a feel of opinions from people who have experience with children in Montessori schools vs. public schools. If you have any website recommendations for me to read...I WELCOME IT! :chatty:

Thanks!
Firey Moon Sign

[celticfire]

although the montessori school/daycare my son attends is very heavily steeped in christianity, i thoroughly enjoy the principals he learns. they do not adhere to simply a visual learning...they do alot of other things to teach the kids. they work on polishing silver, washing dishes, cleaning up after themselves, taking responsibility for their actions/reactions and yes...they do learn about christian related subject matter along w/the standard curriculum. i love it...but it really depends on what you feel comfortable with. from day one when we visited this center, we 'felt' it was right for us...and we have loved our son being there.:)

be well...bb

[blueangel]

I read some literature about the Montessori education system. It sounds great and full of morals that all children should learn about.

As for private versus public school, I'm personally very pro-public school. I guess I am lucky though because the public schools in my area have a reputation that equals the private schools. Also, I have met many people who went to private school and they don't seem as well-rounded as the people who went to public school - their view of the world seems very narrow. However, this is my personal perception.

My cousin has been sent to a private school and is not doing too well. I don't think it's her fault but you have to been quite clever to go to the private school (entrance exams for 5 year olds!) and so she struggles all the time which I think is sad. Her parents thought that paying for her education would ensure that she would enjoy school and do well but that hasn't been the case. I enjoyed school and got fantastic exam results from my local public school.

It is all down to personal choice, but it is interesting to remember that not all children will benefit from the pressures of private schooling. Perhaps the situation is different in the USA from the UK?

[Vampy]

I think that the Montessori schools and daycares are WAY and I mean WAY better than the public schools... they have a better way of teaching children, special tools that are only available to montessori certified teachers, a better system, its more individualistic, the child can work at his/her own pace... versus when you are in a public school or daycare, the tools are all generic, stuff we can buy from places like Wal Mart, Toys R Us, and things like that, they are not as individualistic as the montessori system, and a child cannot work at his/her own pace because there are others that have to follow a certain curiculm and meet a certain goal within a short amount of time...

So all in all I think Montessori Schooling is the WAY better than Public

[Flutterby_whispers]

I don't think this is a one size fits all answer as that each school, each montessori is going to be different .. I'm guessing your best bet is to research the schools around you that your child(ren) will be attending, as well as w/ the montessori school(s) and find out which is best in your area and then choose :)

This is what I did ~ after researching open classroom, montessori, public, private & a few other alternative schooling options.

[Amethyst Rose]

What the heck is a Montessori school??

Edit: nevermind... I researched it. :)

[amydoll1477]

I actually got to some field hours in an Montessori school. I like the idea of it. But my expeirence was the children weren't getting the attention they needed, and some students were a little overwhelmed in the 4th-8th grade class. On the other hand, they seemed to be able to work on there own better, and that they had more intiative in there studies. I think it really depends on the school

[Vampy]

I actually got to some field hours in an Montessori school. I like the idea of it. But my expeirence was the children weren't getting the attention they needed, and some students were a little overwhelmed in the 4th-8th grade class. On the other hand, they seemed to be able to work on there own better, and that they had more intiative in there studies. I think it really depends on the school


:bouncingb I dont care what any one thinks I am a MONTESSORI NUTJOB!!! so I am soooo Pro montessori!!


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:smash: the ruling is in I have officially gone loopy :smash:

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[magick186]

I teach pre-k and I have found that montessori schools focus more on individual children's needs, they take their cues from the children basically, it's kind of hard to explain. They don't have a strict set curriculum. Instead, they have plans but sort of go with the flow of the children.It also teaches children, here's what needs to be done, I expect it done. It teaches children more responsibility for themselves and some may argue about when this is appropriate/inappropriate

[frigga]

My son is currently enrolled in a Montessori school and I love it! However, I recently took human development through college and read some interesting info, that has really made me think. Statisics show that children that come from a montessori school have a harder time adjusting to regular curriculum when the time comes, be it high scool or college. So I'm currently wrestling the idea of keeping him in verses taking him out. It's unfortunate, montessori programs have so much to offer, but seeing how my son is currently learning, I can see how problems could occur later down the road.

[magick186]

My son is currently enrolled in a Montessori school and I love it! However, I recently took human development through college and read some interesting info, that has really made me think. Statisics show that children that come from a montessori school have a harder time adjusting to regular curriculum when the time comes, be it high scool or college. So I'm currently wrestling the idea of keeping him in verses taking him out. It's unfortunate, montessori programs have so much to offer, but seeing how my son is currently learning, I can see how problems could occur later down the road.
I agree, but I think these types of schools are better than public schools when it comes to smaller children(6months to 5 years) As children get older they need more structure to prevent behavioral problems which could lead to bad lifelong habits

[frigga]

That's what I've heard. Luckily mine is still 5, so he's ok. I do have to give a BIG shout out for public schools though. I went to one in the inner city, and even though we didn't have all the latest gadgets and gizmo's I learned more than many in private schools about culture, diversity in thought, belief, and morality. Of course, it all depends on your location, and I learned the most in high school. Funny, it was then that I learned that not all Christians are bad! :p

[Temair]

I have no experience with Montessori, but I was homeschooled for 6 years, from 3rd to 8th grades. I got a primo education, but when I started public high school, it was culture shock. I aced all my classes while goofing off in class because it was stuff I had learned years earlier, but I also had no friends because i had never learned how to meet people. I still don't. I've lived in my town now for 9 years and I have one friend here. I am torn between homeschooling and public schooling. Both offer great things, and both have their drawbacks. I am going with public school at least to start, because my daughter has suffered from my lack of a social life and so she has NO friends here in town. Poor kid.

[13thChylde]

I'm lucky that my children are enrolled in an awesome public school. It's a year-round school, so the parents actually have to sign up and be put on a waiting list to get in, which means that everyone there wants to be there. They have tons of opportunities for parental involvement.

We looked into the Waldorf school, but the tuition was astronomical. I hear the Montessori aint cheap, either. I have coworkers with children in Montessori schools and they love them...although they have complained about the price.

[bluglass]

I agree, but I think these types of schools are better than public schools when it comes to smaller children(6months to 5 years) As children get older they need more structure to prevent behavioral problems which could lead to bad lifelong habits

Uh, I'm a Montessorian though we have not been able to get a placement in a private school for elementary. If you think Montessori is not structured think again. Wrong! The cirriculum is quite developed and very specific. And there are always state mandated rules for what must be covered even if it is taught in the Montessori style. Private it may be but unless it is not a licensed school then then there are cirriculum rules to follow. That said, Montessori materials in the early years are very diadactic and the pedegogie shows more. The materials start in simple form and become more complex as you move up. Also, what can be done with the same materials becomes more complex as the child gains mastry.

A typical Montessori day has a strict schedule which includes a couple of hours of strict learning time. This will include circle time where there are instructive songs i.e., songst that teach the days of the week, or seasons or are just to exercise the lungs and be fun. There is the rock game or silence which teaches a non-religious, non-spiritual form of meditation and encourages children to learn to control the impulsiveness of their bodies. There will also be a class presentation by the directress. This is where thematic materials that build over time are presented. During this period in the early years the directress will pull out each child, if child does not seek directress to work one-on-one learning phonemes and letter sounds and use of the sand table (damp sand or corn meal) which is used to trace letters and teach beginning writing skills.

Children may have a set snack time or more likely will be allowed to decide for themselves when to take a snack, if at all. When they do they are responsible for doing all the work i.e., getting out appropriate utensils, the food, eating and cleaning up after themselves. There will be clean up time.

Lunch follows. In a good Montessori school this will be family style with the children doing as much of the setup as possible. The teachers usually handle any hot food and possibly serving (which is taken over by the kids as they get older). Everyone cleans up together. There may be a nap time depending on state law and there will be play time, outside space and weather permitting. Afternoon for full day students might allow less traditional Montessori materials most likely not but it will be entertaining in a Montessori way. In our school in the afternoon the children are more allowed to "Play" together rather than focus individually.

Depends on the school whether parents escort children directly to class or children dropped off. They are responsible for hanging their coats, changing into their indoor shoes (many schools demand student change out of street shoes and to put on slippers to keep the floors clean because so much work is done on rugs on the floor and so much floor space is open for play and work.) They go into the room and immediately get work to do. They get out a rug and sit down and start working. The directress and assistant move around the room and assist where needed, teach new techniques that can be done with a work if child is ready, monitor what child is choosing to make sure they are progressing and not being stagnant in their choice of work.

As children move to the 6-9 and older years the materials look less like play and are much more serious and complex in nature. There is usually a great project each child is responsible for completing over the course of a year and it usually demonstrates the combined knowledge and skills s/he is acquiring over the year.

In all grades children often work together, one who has more knowledge or mastry may tutor or assist another and share knowledge. A true test of learning is to be able to share knowledge and teach well. The directress encourages, directs and monitors this. I've seen upper grads where there are science experiments going on in one corner, a couple of kids working on a piece of literature with a "book club" style discussion on a couch in another, and children individually working on whatever they have chosen which will help them acquire knowledge and include project(s) to demonstrate what they have learned.

It IS much more quite than a public school. Sure there is movement and noise but it is not out of control. Sure kids get rambunctious when moving between classes but they are not wild.

Why, because self decorum, civility as well as consideration and respect for your fellow student is a hallmark of Montessori. If a Montessori child needs to go to the library to do research you can trust him to tell the directress and take himself there and do his work. I observed my 4.5 yr old do this when we were checking out possible elementary schools. He was a little reluctant to join in with the class and another 5yr old took it upon himself to come up to my son and say "want to go to the library with me?" My son said yes, they told the directress and went holding hands, quite as you please.

You will NOT get such lessons in deportment, or good manners, or situations where child is proving himself all the time, in public school. You get misbehavior and bad habits in public school because children are not encouraged to develop good habits they are expected to mind in a mindless way. They must sit quitely, listening to whatever whether their brain is ready or not and be expected to attend. This is not condusive to learning to attend. You simply learn a coping mechanism for not getting into trouble. This mascarades as "good behavior" when it is not.

My child has a few special needs. I have spent more time, money and effort with his IEP which in the end, after exhaustive research showed me that what most IEPs end up providing is a more Montessori-like environment. My child now never has the opportunity to use all the self-control he learned or to be a self-starter. He has had to back off on being able to "do for himself" and no one tells him to go ahead and try and see what happens. No one tells him he is capable of something, gives him a presentation and lets him experiment with it on his own for as long as he wants to gain mastry. He has learned avoidance and we have a terrible time combatting that at home. He has learned apathay and he has learned innumerable games to play with his peers that include violence which when asked they say come from playstation or xbox. Public school parents seem to have a very lax attitude toward what is acceptable. I find this in the book fairs as well with selections that would never be allowed in Montessori. Montessori discourages t.v., character based clothing and toys as well as eschewing video games and their associated marketing strategies and products. Depends on the school whether they are as strict as say Waldorf is where you actually are requested to sign a contract not to expose your children to such things as Disney products and television.

If you look up the history of kindergarten you will come to a man named Froebel who invented it. He developed a series of "gifts" on which all kindergartens were originally based. You will find them interesting. Maria Montessori came a little after him and you can see where she borrowed from his work. You can even see where Rudolph Steiner borrowed from his work as well but that is a different discussion. All public school flows from and you can see where it builds on his work. But, you can also see how radically, and to everyones' detriment, where modern school has departed from his concepts.

check it out and google on Maria Montessori. There is a lot of material to read that will help you.

Denise

[Amethyst Rose]

You will NOT get such lessons in deportment, or good manners, or situations where child is proving himself all the time, in public school. You get misbehavior and bad habits in public school because children are not encouraged to develop good habits they are expected to mind in a mindless way. They must sit quitely, listening to whatever whether their brain is ready or not and be expected to attend. This is not condusive to learning to attend. You simply learn a coping mechanism for not getting into trouble. This mascarades as "good behavior" when it is not.



Um... In my personal experience, (I was educated in public school), this is not the case. In the early years a lot of effort is made to teach kids good manners, and in the older years (grade 6) we had "grade one buddies" who we would show around the school and help them get used to it, and even help them with projects, going to the library and such.
Of course there are kids who misbehave, I think you could find that in any school. Heck, show me a kid that never misbehaves and I'll call him the messiah. :) In my entire school career I got in trouble twice...once for talking in class (grade 4) and once for not doing my homework. (grade 8).
I was definately taught good habits, especially when it came to doing homework and studying. I was not taught to "mind in a mindless way", if anything, that's what university expected of me. And as for leaning a coping mechanism for not getting into trouble.... totally untrue. I never *wanted* to cause trouble....never even crossed my mind. I personally think that whether a kid gets in trouble or not is based on the way his parents have raised him....with respect and disapline when necessary.
Anyway....I just think you're giving public school a bad rap....
Just my $0.02....