Incorporating Montessori in
a “Traditional” Classroom
Sandy Graf
April 12, 2013
The Best Education
The question of how to
best educate our
children has been a
source of debate since
the colonial period.
It continues to be so
today.
Early Schools
• Public schools first began in the North
in the nineteenth century.
• They spread to the South after the
Civil War.
• These schools were “traditional” in
nature.
Traditional Classroom
What is a “traditional”
classroom?
For our purposes, we’ll say
a “traditional” classroom is
one that is teacher
directed. Students
primarily learn through
observations and listening.
Early Schools
• In the 19th century, there
was a heavy emphasis on the
proverbial three Rs.
• The moral shaping of
children was equally
important during this time
period.
• Corporal punishment and
public humiliation were seen
as an effective means of
education.
School Reform
• The 20th century
brought an era of
school reform to the
United States.
• Progressives began to
launch an assault on
the traditional
classroom.
• The innovative
approaches during this
time period included
active learning, field
trips, and student
projects.
• Change was difficult,
and many schools
resisted the new
ideas.
School Reform
• During this time
period, in Europe,
Maria Montessori
was formulating her
“method” for
education.
• She opened her first
school, Casa dei
Bambini, in 1907.
Montessori Method
What is the Montessori Method?
The Montessori Method is a child-centered
approach to teaching. This method incorporates
“free activity” within a prepared environment
where students learn concepts from working
with materials rather than direct instruction.
Montessori in the United States
• In 1910, The Montessori
Method was published.
• During this same year,
the U.S. magazine,
McClure’s published an
article about Maria
Montessori and her
method.
• In 1911, the first United
States Montessori
school opened in New
York.
Incorporating Montessori in a
Traditional Classroom
How can two
dichotomic approaches
come together in one
classroom?
This is easier than one
would think. Just . . .
Incorporating Montessori in a
Traditional Classroom
Make use of the practice of differentiating
instruction in your classroom, but incorporate
some Montessori materials.
Consider using grammar environments
(Montessori terminology – phonetic and nonphonetic farms), grammar symbols and colors,
the banking game, science materials and more.
Incorporating Montessori in a
Traditional Classroom
Let’s practice. . .