Montessori FAQs

What is the chief difference between a Montessori and traditional classroom?

The Montessori classroom is a "prepared environment," designed to support independent, student-initiated work.

How are Montessori grade levels structured compared to traditional classrooms?

Students are assigned to flexible, multi-age classrooms within a common developmental range of three years, eg. ages 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-15. They have the same teacher during the three year period.

How do children learn in the Montessori classroom?

Students gain knowledge by working independently on hands-on projects, actively building understanding. Teachers provide guidance but are much more in the background.

How does a Montessori curriculum compare to a more traditional one?

Montessori curriculum is flexible in response to student needs during each developmental stage. There is little emphasis on compartmentalizing the curriculum since everything is connected. Traditional school curriculum is often more divided into subject areas which sometimes short curcuits deeper learning and inhibits the understanding of connections between concepts.

What does flexibilty mean in terms of student work?

Each student is able to follow his or her own path through the curriculum based on abilities and interests.

What is the student-teacher relationship like is a Montessori school?

Students and teachers build strong relationships that allow the teacher to mentor the studen in their educational journey, helping them to follow their own interestest and build on their strengths.

Does the teacher assign work?

Montessori teachers give assignments, but each child participates in designing a significant portion of his or her own work. Students engage in individual or paired research projects beginning in early elementary. Assigments increase in scope, size,and levels of collaboration as students progress through school. This not only teaches a child independence, but allows them to go above an beyond in their work simply for the joy of learning.

What does a typical Montessori day look like?

Student at all levels work uninterrupted for extended periods of time, often two hours or more. The teacher is available as a consultant and facilitator.

Do students recieve grades?

Students are regularly assessed, but with little emphasis on grades. They build knowledge by engaging in projects that satisfy curiosity and build a sense of competence. Teachers track the progress of each student as he or she learnes, practices and mastersconcepts. Parents recieve formal and informal reports throughout the year.

How can a student do well if they aren't pushed along by the teacher?

Students love to learn and find authentic pride in their own accomplishments. They also learn that making a mistake can be a a positive learning experience. CClassroom materials are designed to be self-correcting, so the student learns to asses him or herself. Instead of correcting, the teacher encourages activities that enhance support a student's growing comprehension.

What does classroom management look like?

Students learn the rules of the classroom early and are respectful of them and each other. They are given freedoms that they appreciate and that lift the burden of oppressive rules from them. They can move around the room during the work time, take care of their needs, and find work that speaks to them at that moment.