Incorporating Montessori in a “Traditional”

ClassroomSandy 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 non-phonetic farms), grammar symbols and colors, the banking game, science materials and more.

Incorporating Montessori in a Traditional Classroom

Let’s practice. . .