Literacy Montessori-Based Education Essay

MONTESSORI’S research shows that children learn through movement and should have environments that are specifically tailored to meet their needs. Montessori schools provide a foundation for learning that is centred on care for the environment, care for the self as individual and

In this monthly newsletter, I would like to share with you three beliefs of Dr. Maria Montessori. As your child's teacher; I would like to support each of these beliefs with vivid examples from my experience in the classroom as well as Dr. Montessori's own words. While all of us within the community clearly already support the Montessori Method, it is important to 'touch base' with these beliefs as we affirm the principles of our learning environment.

In today’s society many people recognize that our current educational system is antiquated and heavily flawed. Many do not believe the education our children routinely receive adequately prepares them to be successful in their adult lives and because of this parents are very concerned. This dissatisfaction has led to the implementation of numerous alternatives to the traditional educational system to which we have become accustomed. Each of these alternatives has their own collection of philosophies and methodologies, proponents and opponents, advantages and disadvantages, but the common thread is that they each aim to provide our children with a better, more effective education suited for today’s world. Montessori education is one of these alternative learning options that been around for many years and has been steadily gaining popularity.

Maria Montessori once stated, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist’” (Chattin-McNichols, 1992). The end goal of a Montessori classroom is to create independent and curious learners ready to take on any challenge thrown their way. The Montessori Method differs from traditional school settings because learning is child-centered, meaning children create their own knowledge from experiences within a prepared environment.

As early childhood educators we all have our own philosophies and approaches to education. There are several types of early childhood programs. Each program has its own philosophies, methods, and program goals. Every early childhood educator is unique making each early childhood program experience special. Consistently, early childhood programs offer educational foundations that prepare young students for their educational futures. In this paper I will focus on comparing and contrasting two programs that stood out to me, Ridgeline Montessori and the Whitaker Head Start.

Not all Homeschool co-ops are created equal. Make sure you agree with its philosophy on learning, religion, etc., please keep this in mind when searching out a Homeschool co-op that is the right fit for your family. Homeschooling families do not have to join co-ops. It is purely by choice whether you join one. The main goal of this particular co-op is for the kids to form friendships with other homeschoolers. I love that because who can relate better to you than other homeschoolers?! It amazes me how different we all are – we range from un-schooling to traditional textbook teaching – and yet how similar we all are.

The Mission is to create a nurturing environment that recognizes diversity in schools and the community. The ultimate goal is to utilize parental support, community-based programs, skilled and talented staff that would empower students to excel. The collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, and parents are imperative to the success of the program. Accountability,

I have just begun my last year at Central Middle School in Quincy, and am getting sentimental about how privileged I am to live in a city that has provided me with choices and opportunities for enrichment throughout my public school years. Quincy has eleven elementary schools, five middle schools and two public high schools, all of which benefit from community/public school partnerships. Each Quincy public school shares a common goal to prepare its students for future success. Quincy’s teachers want the students in their classrooms to be successful in ways that go beyond standardized measurements: graduation rates, grades, tests, and MCAS scores. They know that success means different things to different people and sometimes need to partner with businesses and people in the community to expand what they can offer us, beyond the bell, that will enrich our learning experiences and interests.

Education is very important especially in this day and age. What school one attends and how they perceive school to be is a huge factor in one’s life success. There has been research done in the past few years proving that students who receive a Montessori education will prosper academically more so than those who receive a traditional education (Ryniker and Shoho, 2001). Traditional schools typically follow teacher based philosophies and the Montessori education is student centered. On average, children enjoy student based philosophy classrooms. Therefore, they are much more in tuned to what they are learning and that benefits their educational career. Having fun while learning is the key to keeping children engaged.

During the semester, I had the opportunity to work in a Montessori classroom for grades first through third grade in subjects, language arts, reading, math, social studies, and science and a functional academics classroom for grades first through fifth for all subjects. The Montessori classroom was set up to benefit students who are hands on learners. There were manipulatives all around the room and the classroom allowed for independent work time, small group lessons, and a few whole group lessons. In the classrooms, I had the opportunity to lead many of the classroom activities such as instructing whole group and small group lessons.

Montessori Early Learning Center is a preschool that is located in Tampa, Florida. They are a privately-owned and family-run Montessori preschool, operated by Joyce Soukup and her daughter, Jackie Maczuga. For more than 3 decades, they have been nurturing and educating children with the preschool education they need. Their programs include Montessori academic program, voluntary pre-kindergarten, toddler program, and preschool. Montessori Early Learning Center carries the child care license # CHC

I observed and analyzed the design and delivery of an instructional unit in a Montessori school setting. I observed a classroom of grades 1-3 two times from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Kennebec Montessori school. I was asked to sit quietly and to not interact with the children so I could get a realistic view of the class day and the children would pursue their chosen work.

I find it fascinating that what is expected of me at my campus and district is based on the ideology of Maria Montessori and John Dewey. The game plan at my campus is focused on what we call the Fundamental Five. It is in this approach that I see the ideas of Montessori and Dewey flourish in real life. One of the big things at my campus is that we need to have our students grouped so that we can have them engage in collaborative activities that will promote classroom discussions. We also have them interact and use tactile strategies so that they can learn from actually, doing

There is no set level that all children must follow; they learn when they explore by themselves. This method leaves children with freedom where they can learn self-discipline in a place designed specifically for their developmental needs. Teachers would have a part in the education of children though even though 80% of it was up to the children. Teachers are to make sure that children are presented with the right extent of material at the right time. In other words, if a child is too advanced for one activity, a teacher would present a new one to fit them, and vice versa. Maria believed if her methods were applied to public schools the results would be even better than the traditional method results. Since the government didn't let her, she started to work with poor daycare children. She doubted that her methods would work under these conditions but she had shocking results. She discovered if the children were in an orderly place to work, they will respect that and care for it. They are able to learn longer and better than in an everyday setting. In Montessori preschool, five areas make up the prepared learning environment. These areas include practical life, the sensorial area, mathematics, and cultural activities. In the elementary program, areas include integration, presentation of knowledge, presentation of the formal scientific languages, the use of visual aids, mathematic curriculum, Montessori trained teachers, emphasis on open-ended research and

Maria Montessori was the originator and founder of the Montessori Method. She was the first female to graduate as a doctor from her university in Italy. After graduation, Montessori's work with so called “idiot children” led to an interest in child development. (M. Beaver et al, 2001, p.379) After researching Montessori was convinced there was a need for special schools catering to children who presented learning disabilities.