160 likes | 432 Views
Incorporating Montessori in a “Traditional” Classroom. Sandy Graf April 12, 2013. The Best Education. The question of how to best educate our children has been a source of debate since the colonial period. It continues to be so today. Early Schools.
E N D
Incorporating Montessori in a “Traditional” Classroom Sandy Graf April 12, 2013
The Best Education The question of how to best educate our children has been a source of debate since the colonial period. It continues to be so today.
Early Schools • Public schools first began in the North in the nineteenth century. • They spread to the South after the Civil War. • These schools were “traditional” in nature.
Traditional Classroom What is a “traditional” classroom? For our purposes, we’ll say a “traditional” classroom is one that is teacher directed. Students primarily learn through observations and listening.
Early Schools • In the 19th century, there was a heavy emphasis on the proverbial three Rs. • The moral shaping of children was equally important during this time period. • Corporal punishment and public humiliation were seen as an effective means of education.
School Reform • The 20th century brought an era of school reform to the United States. • Progressives began to launch an assault on the traditional classroom. • The innovative approaches during this time period included active learning, field trips, and student projects. • Change was difficult, and many schools resisted the new ideas.
School Reform • During this time period, in Europe, Maria Montessori was formulating her “method” for education. • She opened her first school, Casa dei Bambini, in 1907.
Montessori Method What is the Montessori Method? The Montessori Method is a child-centered approach to teaching. This method incorporates “free activity” within a prepared environment where students learn concepts from working with materials rather than direct instruction.
Montessori in the United States • In 1910, The Montessori Method was published. • During this same year, the U.S. magazine, McClure’s published an article about Maria Montessori and her method. • In 1911, the first United States Montessori school opened in New York.
Incorporating Montessori in a Traditional Classroom How can two dichotomic approaches come together in one classroom? This is easier than one would think. Just . . .
Incorporating Montessori in a Traditional Classroom Make use of the practice of differentiating instruction in your classroom, but incorporate some Montessori materials. Consider using grammar environments (Montessori terminology – phonetic and non-phonetic farms), grammar symbols and colors, the banking game, science materials and more.
Incorporating Montessori in a Traditional Classroom Let’s practice. . .