WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Montessori is a philosophy of education that integrates the use of manipulative materials into a program of responsibility, respect and grace that encourages children to learn about the world based on individual needs and interests. The Montessori method provides an enriched educational environment in which children may discover, explore, and develop their excitement for learning.
Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori method instills a life-long joy in learning for learning's sake. More important than the concrete skills imparted, the Montessori method creates a highly self-motivated and self-reliant student. To observe a day in the classroom is amazing. Each child works on materials of his or her choice. Children direct their own programs, within the limits of what work is required for them to accomplish each day. The guide makes sure that each child is progressing. She steps in when necessary to introduce new materials or to help with a difficult project. This self-direction is a priceless asset.
A Montessori classroom is not a free-for-all. It is a structured program with careful progression of learning materials in all the academic disciplines. The thrill of self-discovery, of independent learning, accomplishment and of self-possession provides the motivation.
Manipulative Materials
All material is presented concretely until a child is ready to move to abstraction. The Montessori materials enable a child to understand concepts and build a solid foundation in their education that makes no task or goal seem too great.
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Montessori education is based upon learning by doing. Children learn about abstract concepts like language and math by working with concrete materials. For example, by the age of five a Montessori child might be able to calculate such additions as 4,833 + 4,926 = 9,759 by using beads: 9 unit beads, 5 bars of ten beads, 7 squares of 100 beads, and 9 cubes of 1,000 beads.
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The purpose here is not to develop mathematical geniuses, but to give reality to math concepts. Few Montessori students are ever intimidated by math. |
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Montessori materials lend themselves to providing a firm basis for the long-range future. For example, learning to identify all the geometric shapes by touch lays important groundwork for tenth-grade geometry. Working with puzzle maps of the world develops a physical awareness of geography. |
The Montessori Environment
The Montessori philosophy divides children by age, rather than grade, into the following:
| Early Childhood |
3-6 years old
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| Lower Elementary |
6-9 years old |
| Upper Elementary |
9-12 years old |
| Middle Grades |
12-15 years old |
RVS Montessori elementary classes average 24 - 28 children, depending on the number of full-time teachers in the classroom. Each class has multiple age/grade levels. This facilitates learning through peer teaching, peer modelling, and cooperative learning. Students are motivated to learn more by continual exposure to the work of more advanced students.
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