Number of Students in Classrooms
Montessori classrooms
are kept small for a reason. Allowing the instructor to dedicate more time to
each student is the primary advantage. Each instructor is thoroughly trained in
all of the subjects they will be teaching, which allows children to spend more
time with a single instructor and less of their educational moving between
classes. And since the classrooms have mixed ages, younger children are able to
learn from older ones to build social skills and educational goals.
Self-Focused Education
The misconception
that children have complete control over the learning process sounds
intimidating, but it is not a correct picture of Montessori learning. Children are encouraged to develop their own schedules, but class time is still divided into blocks, albeit longer ones, which give each child more time to spend on subjects and projects. The environment is self-directed, but still follows a well-rounded curriculum.
Montessori Curriculums
Montessori educators
are not specialized in the way that public school teachers are. The subject
matter being taught is nearly identical to public schools, such as math,
language arts, history, and art. The difference is that Montessori education
uses an integrated approach that ties the different subjects together. For
example, learning about Egyptian pyramids ties to geometry, art, and other
subjects. The integration of different subjects into a single process is
fundamental to the Montessori process.
Gifted and Special Learning Needs
From the Montessori
perspective, all children are gifted, but each in their own way. The Montessori
environment allows children to expand on subjects that come more easily or
spend a bit more time on the ones that are giving them a challenge. Having
mixed ages in the classroom is especially helpful for gifted and special needs
children because the older kids provide additional guidance and assistance.
Standardized Testing
Standardized
educational tests are a requirement for all educators, including Montessori
schools and homeschooling. These tests are used to determine both the
educational level of students and the success of the institution. While
Montessori children take the same tests, they are taught the materials in a
different way that focuses more on integrated skills than rote memorization.
How Well Do Montessori Students Compare?
For years, the comparison between Montessori and traditional education was a difficult call to make. As research has progressed over the years, it has become apparent that Montessori students tend to learn as well or even better than traditional education students, including higher math skills and more complex vocabulary and writing skills.
At the Montessori School of Flagstaff Switzer Mesa Campus, our students enjoy mixed-age classrooms where they can work together and learn from their older peers. The self-directed environment allows students to explore on their own, while still being guided by the teacher. To see the Montessori difference firsthand, call our school today and schedule a tour.
