An Introduction to Montessori Eduction
Introduction to Montessori – The Montessori curriculum is based on the research and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori that she developed in the early 1900′s. It is designed to spark interest and create in children the joy of learning. She observed that all children progress through stages of development or farmative periods. Each stage builds and expands upon the previous one.
Dr. Montessori also believed that children develop most successfully when they are offered freedom to choose their activities within a structured environment. They should also be provided with hands-on experiences and allowed to work until their needs are satisfied. The role of the classroom teacher is to nurture the development of the whole child, not focus solely on academics. Children become productive members of society by learning how to adapt to a changing environment, becoming independant and responsible for their actions, and handling situations that arise in constructive ways.
The Classroom - Typical Montessori classrooms are structured so that the Primary classroom has children ages 3, 4, and 5. The Lower Elementary class is made up of children in the first, second and third grades. The Upper Elementary class has fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. At Accelerated Learning Charter School, we have modified this structure based upon our physical space and the number of children enrooled in each grade level.
Multi-aged classrooms also allow children to develop at their own pace without the feeling of being singled out. Children can continue to work on skills that need more attention and advance in areas where they excel. In a multi-age classroom, children develop a stronger bond with the teacher and their classmates. Likewise, the teacher gets to truly know the students after spending multiple years with them.
The Montessori curriculum in aligned with the Arizona State Standards and is made up of several areas which include:
Practical Life: The practical life area is where the foundations are laid for further learning. By using these materials the very young children develop concentration, coordination, independence, and a sense of order. The child learns how to care for himself and his environment by buttoning, sewing, polishing, sweeping, and hammering. The child is actively involved in the care of the plants and animals in the classroom.
Sensorial: The sensorial area introduces the child to abstract concepts through hands-on materials. The child explores size, length, volume, color, sound, and taste. The materials give meaning to such terms as bigger, lighter, darker, and softer. Many of the activities come in groups of ten, which is an introduction to our base 10 math system.