Montessori

Areas of a Montessori Class are Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Cultural Studies & Art

10 Things to Look for in an Authentic Montessori Program

  1. Teachers educated in the Montessori philosophy and methodology appropriate to the age level they are teaching, who have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.
  2. A partnership with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual’s total development.
  3. A multi-aged, multi-graded, heterogeneous group of students.
  4. A diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences, which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative and social independence.
  5. A schedule that allows large blocks of uninterrupted time to problem solve, to see the interdisciplinary connections of knowledge, and to create new ideas.
  6. A classroom atmosphere that encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.
  7. Montessori classrooms should be bright, warm, and inviting, filled with plants, animals, art, music, and books. Interest centers will be filled with intriguing learning materials, mathematical models, maps, charts, international and historical artifacts, a class library, an art area, a small natural-science museum, and animals that the children are raising. In an elementary class, you will also normally find computers and scientific apparatus.
  8. Montessori classrooms will be organized into several curriculum areas, usually including: language arts (reading, literature, grammar, creative writing, spelling, and handwriting); mathematics and geometry; everyday living skills; sensory-awareness exercises and puzzles; geography, history, science, art, music, and movement. Most rooms will include a classroom library. Each area will be made up of one or more shelf units, cabinets, and display tables with a wide variety of materials on open display, ready for use as the children select them.
  9. Students will typically be found scattered around the classroom, working alone or with one or two others. Teachers will normally be found working with one or two children at a time, advising, presenting a new lesson, or quietly observing the class at work.
  10. Montessori schools consciously work to attract a diverse student body and follow a clear non-discrimination policy.