Montessori Education

What Does a Public Montessori School Look Like?

The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector created a series of short videos that illustrate key elements of Montessori. Each video takes you inside a Montessori classroom.

Filmed and edited by Rob Silcox
Filmed at Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School, Hartford, CT

1. Collaboration

2. Hands On Learning

3. Teaching as Guidance

4. Community

5. Independence

6. Concentration

Montessori Education

The Montessori approach offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life, drawing its principles from the natural development of the child. Its flexibility provides a matrix within which each individual child's inner directives freely guide the child toward wholesome growth.

The Montessori Method was developed over 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, physician, anthropologist and pedagogue, following years of detailed observations of how children of all racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds approach learning. Her methods are based in the belief that children are natural learners and that in the right environment, educational materials will spontaneously arouse interest and, therefore, learning.

Therefore, Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment to maximize independent learning and exploration. Children's innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult. With Montessori materials, children master a set progression of skills and learning objectives. Materials present concepts in concrete forms. When studying geometry, children can hold the shapes in their hands. When learning geography, they work with puzzle maps. In learning math concepts, they work with blocks scaled to represent numbers in a tangible form. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline. Within a framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.

Montessori students are free to move from one set of materials to another as they wish. Each day's schedule includes three hours of uninterrupted time for students to engage in individual and small group work of their choice, with guidance from the teachers. Students receive lessons in the use of materials individually or in small groups. The children maintain the classroom and materials, and participate in developing class rules, which develops a sense of individual responsibility and self-esteem.

Montessori classes are made up of children in a three-year age range. Lower-elementary classes have first, second, and third graders; Upper-elementary classes have fourth, fifth, and sixth graders.

Today the Montessori method is an internationally recognized mode of education. Teachers certification, classroom operation, and appropriate curriculum are well established. The successful academic outcome of a complete elementary program is well documented around the world.

Visiting a public Montessori Elementary classroom is the best way for a parent to see if Montessori is the right fit for their child.

Overview of Montessori Curriculum by Tim Seldin

Integrated Montessori Curriculum by Tim Seldin

Montessori Basics for Parents by Tim Seldin