The Brown Stairs To
Where?
A Montessori Overview
By John Felageller
The questions are asked…
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What is “Montessori”?
What are my kids doing all day?
Are they really learning anything?
Why do we use all those funny blocks and
things?
• Is this getting them ready for “real school”?
• Isn’t this kind of classroom for “babies”?
Things People Think About
Montessori…
“It’s another name for Preschool.”
“It’s only for little kids, not older ones.”
“They only play with toys and don’t learn
anything real.”
“ That’s religious or Catholic/Christian school.”
“They let the kids do WHATEVER they want.”
“Isn’t that the cult like school where they wear
the weird robes and beat the kids?”
Who Was Maria Montessori?
Montessori was a 19th century Italian Physician who initially worked with
mentally and physically disabled children. During her time with them she
developed a way of teaching them known as “The Montessori Method.”
What Did She Discover?
• All children are capable of learning when their
environment is conducive for it, meaning it
should “make sense” for them.
• Children learn best when they are given “Real
Life” or Concrete examples of ideas or
concepts instead of Abstract ones.
• A sense of Responsibility needs to be fostered
even with very young children in order to help
develop Self-Direction.
So How Do We Teach?
• Montessori Classrooms are designed with the
“Prepared Environment” in mind, so the
physical setup is easily manageable.
• Physical hands-on materials allow for students
to learn concepts from a Concrete standpoint
first, and aid in developing self-direction.
• Teachers help to foster a sense of
responsibility for themselves and the
environment; facilitate peer mentoring.
Montessori in the U.S.
• Montessori first visits United States in 1911,
one early famous supporter is Alexander
Graham Bell.
• Although popularity spread, Montessori had
several critics, including education reformer
John Dewey.
• Montessori education would not gain traction
in States until after her death in 1952, carried
on by her son Mario.
Founding of AMS
• In 1960, Nancy McCormick-Rambusch
founded the American Montessori Society
(AMS).
• Currently largest Montessori organization in
the world, with 1,300 member schools and
over 100 training centers.
• About 400 programs in public (charter)
schools in several states; Chicago has three in
CPS.
Montessori in Chicago
• First Montessori was Alcuin in Oak Park
(1961), later followed by others in the late
1960’s (Countryside and Deerfield Schools).
• Over 70 member schools (AMS)in Chicago and
Suburban areas, many smaller unaffiliated
programs.
• Chicago boasts Primary, Elementary, Middle
School and even a high school (Beacon
Academy).
Curriculum: Practical Life
• Although Practical Life is skill oriented, its
purpose is not to master these tasks for their
own sake but to help in the development of…
• Organization
• Independence
• Focus
• Left to Right Hand-Eye Coordination
• Motor Skills Needed For Reading And Writing
Curriculum: Sensorial
• Sensorial Works are designed to help
strengthen and develop a child’s senses and
acuity of their senses.
• Works cover every quality perceived by the
senses including size, shape, weight, touch,
smell and many others.
• Activities help develop motor skills specific to
later tasks and also lay groundwork for
concepts in other subject areas.
Curriculum: Math
• Math concepts are always taught from the
CONCRETE first and then and then move to
ABSTRACTION.
• Use of manipulatives is consistent from PrePrimary through Elementary Curriculums (Ex.:
Green, Blue, Red).
• Materials used to teach all aspects of
curriculum from initial number sense to
Algebraic Equations.
Curriculum: Language
• Montessori approach to Language is unique in
that it teaches WRITING as foundation for
READING (usually Cursive first).
• Letter sounds are learned with emphasis on
tactile (sandpaper letters) and auditory input
to help integrate concept.
• Students begin with short vowel sounds, then
long vowel, silent e, blends, digraphs and
eventually sight words.
Curriculum: Science
• Montessori used idea of storytelling (Great
Lessons) to explain large scientific concepts in
an engaging and meaningful way.
• Students learn many concepts from “authentic
learning” experiences within and outside of
the classroom.
• Students are introduced to foundations of
Botany, Zoology, Physical and Natural
Sciences.
Curriculum: Cultural
• The Montessori Philosophy emphasizes the
importance of awareness and respect for
different cultures and backgrounds.
• Students are introduced to various Geography
and Social Studies concepts including
Continent and Country studies, physical
characteristics of the world and Holiday
Celebrations from around the world
(!!!Cultural Fair!!!).
How We Compare: Play-Based
Education
• Most traditional Preschools follow “PlayBased Model”, with focus being on
socialization not academics.
• Montessori emphasizes MEANINGFUL WorkBased activities and lessons that are
developmentally appropriate.
• Montessori students benefit from SAME level
of socialization, however in the context of
structured learning experiences.
Quotes From Competitors
“Our curriculum blends child and teacher directed activities and incorporates smooth
transitions between activities. We recognize there is no cookie-cutter approach to
development. Each child is unique and develops at his/her own pace. We look for
signs each child is progressing along a sequence of developmental benchmarks.
This allows teachers to approach each child at the appropriate developmental
level.”
“…teaches children life skills that go beyond reading, writing, and math.
• Playing with toys helps develop motor skills and teaches lessons about sharing
with friends.
• Singing songs while washing hands instills an interest in the arts while forging
social bonds and educating children about the need for good hygiene. “
“As children are growing, they are more inclined to sit and concentrate. To take
advantage of this newfound focus, we introduce more tactile activities, such as ...
This system promotes problem-solving by using top-to-bottom, left-to-right
directions and allows children to become familiar with the basics skills associated
with reading, writing, and comprehension.”
“Does a parent have to choose between learning
and fun?
We don’t think so. In our view, the learning vs.
fun trade-off is a false alternative, and in practice
the most profoundly joyous childhood
environment is precisely the one which best
satisfies a child’s cognitive needs.
Children by nature are curious about the world.
They are capable of an astounding amount of
early learning when given the freedom to
explore to their heart’s content, particularly in an
environment of carefully prepared engaging,
meaningful explorative activities. In such a
setting, learning so-called academic skills, such
as handwriting or arithmetic, is experienced as a
playful, enjoyable activity. The pleasure and
deep satisfaction of such concentrated
engagement is natural and to-be-expected
because it is consistent with the actual needs of
the child. Psychologically, the satisfaction
derived is exactly the satisfaction that comes
from play. As Maria Montessori put it, “play is
the child’s work.” ---From “Play vs. Work: A
Wrong Alternative”, Heike Larson,
mariamontessori.com
How Will Your Child Do In Public
School?
• Answer: Just Fine!
• Many Public School Curriculums incorporate
Montessori influenced concepts or
approaches (e.g. Everyday Math).
• Common Core standards based on “authentic
learning” models which is fundamental to The
Montessori Method.
• Montessori Training Centers now linking to
these standards.
What Choices Are There?
• Investigate your options, speak to your Home
School District, attend Curriculum
Nights/Meetings, ask questions!
• Visit Montessori Elementary schools in your
area, request tours, meetings, and ask how
they compare with Public Schools in the area.
• If all else fails…
ASK MY DAD!!!