Montessori Pedagogy
What does a public Montessori school look like?
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. The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector created a series of short videos that illustrate key elements of Montessori. Each video featured here takes you inside a Montessori classroom. These videos were filmed and edited by Rob Silcox on location at Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School in Hartford, CT.
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.
As such, 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.
The Prepared Environment
Montessori materials present concepts in concrete forms allowing children to master a set progression of skills and learning objectives. When studying geometry, for instance, 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.
Self-Directed Learning
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.
Uninterrupted Work Periods
Montessori students are free to move from one set of materials to another as they wish.
Freedom of Movement
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.
Self-discipline
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.
Hands-on Materials
The children maintain the classroom and materials, and participate in developing class rules, which develops a sense of individual responsibility and self-esteem.
Practical Life Integration
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.
Mixed-age Groupings
Visiting a public Montessori Elementary classroom is the best way for a parent to see if Montessori is the right fit for their child.
1. Collaboration
2. Hands-on Learning
3. Teaching as Guidance
4. Community
5. Independence
6. Concentration
The Curriculum:
THE GREAT LESSONS
The Great Lessons are the heart of the River Montessori elementary curriculum. They are five epic stories told at the beginning of every
school year to spark a child’s imagination and provide a big picture
framework for everything they will learn.
In our program, a child hears these stories every year.
As they grow, their understanding deepens—moving from wonder at the magic of the universe in 1st level to a scientific and
historical analysis of those same concepts by 6th level.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Coming of the Universe
This story describes the
origins of the cosmos,
often starting with the
"Big Bang" or the
cooling of the Earth.
The second story moves
from the physical world
to the biological one,
tracing the timeline of life
from single-celled organisms
to the age of dinosaurs and
the arrival of mammals.
The final lesson
explores the history of
mathematics, showing how different civilizations
(like the Sumerians, Mayans,
and Indians) invented ways
to count and measure
the world.
The Lesson: It introduces the laws of physics and chemistry—how solids, liquids, and gases behave, and how the stars and planets formed.
The Seed: This leads to the study of astronomy, meteorology, geology, and physics.
The Coming of Life
The Lesson: It emphasizes the vast amount of time it took for life to evolve and the special work each organism does to maintain the balance of nature.
The Seed: This is the gateway to biology, botany, zoology, and ecology.
The Coming of Humans
This lesson focuses
on the unique gifts
that define humanity:
the hand (to create tools),
the mind (to imagine and solve problems), and the heart
(to love and collaborate).
This story (also called The Story of Language) traces how humans developed the ability to record their thoughts and send them across time and space.
The Lesson: It explores how early humans met their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) and how they began to form societies.
The Seed: This launches the study of history, social studies, and culture.
The Story of Writing
The Lesson: It covers everything from cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Phoenician alphabet and the printing press.
The Seed: This connects to language arts, grammar, creative writing, and the study of ancient civilizations.
The Story of Numbers
The Lesson: It covers everything from cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Phoenician alphabet and the printing press.
The Seed: This connects to language arts, grammar, creative writing, and the study of ancient civilizations.