Montessori as a Unique Choice Education from the Inside OutEducation from the Inside Out
Presentation by Kym Elder Executive DirectorPresentation by Kym Elder, Executive Director as described by the 8th grade students of
Island Village Montessori School Island Village Montessori School www.islandvillage.org
Alexandra F.Alexandra F. • Ever since I started here, I have met
so many wonderful people and madeso many wonderful people and made the best friends. In a Montessori school, I was able to build relationships with my teachers and staff. When I was fighting with myg g y friends, I was able to go to my teachers and vent. We are all a big family. I have always felt very safe and secure here. If h h i d d I • If the teachers are occupied and I am stuck on a problem, I am allowed to ask my peers for help. We have a choice to work with our friends and not just work independently Thisnot just work independently. This way we get to put our minds together and learn from one another.
Alexandra G.Alexandra G. • I am in 8th grade now. I have
attended since 2nd grade but I attended since 2nd grade, but I went to a public school first. On my first day at IVMS, I was surprised at how much freedom my peers had unlike my old my peers had, unlike my old school where everyone worked on the same thing at the same time.
d k• In Montessori, students can work on what they need to at any time. There are no rows of desks at my school, everyone sits where they
i h flwant to sit, even on the floor. At my old school, we had assigned desks and, most of the time, I could not see the board.
AmandaAmanda
• The contract system d d b d f dprovided can be modified to
fit a child’s needs. If he or she needs an extra boost, the teachers can kick thethe teachers can kick the contract up a notch. If a student is struggling to finish his or her work, the, contract can be changed. A lot of contracts include creative twists in them,
h d i isuch as drawing or putting on a play. IVMS takes pride in being flexible.
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Date
Total
Student
Educator Evalu
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AngelAngel
• We have this excellent contract
Time: 4 weeks End Date: 01/25/08 Student Name ___________________________ Homeroom # _______
Learning Topic: A REVOLUTIONARY NEW GOVERNMENT: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION Complete the following activities by the end of your contract period. Be sure to track the time you spend on social studies on the back whether you complete it at home or at school All shaded portions of the contract can be donestudies on the back whether you complete it at home or at school. All shaded portions of the contract can be done
system, which lets students complete work at their own pace. A contract is basically a list of activities and assignments. As soon as I complete a
for homework, including the videos. The History of US can be checked out, but bring back daily.
assignments. As soon as I complete a certain assignment, I write how long it took me to finish, sign it, and then the educator will sign it off. There are l l i h h h lalso planning sheets that help me plan the day or week and keep me on track.
• Students may work in teams or with Students may work in teams or with partners on many projects and the educators make them exciting and clever. Educators are very helpful and
Skills Assessment Date Completed
Total Hours
Student Initials
Educator Initials
Evalu ation
Make a Map of your Imaginary Island using mathgraph paper and colored pencils.
U.S. Constitution Board material Separation ofPowers – Quiz and Practice
Rosetta Stone Software – one lesson per weekminimum on foreign language of choice
Date Total Student Educator Evalu Reading / Lesson / Activity / Lab Completed Hours Initials Initials ation United Streaming – turn in notes (23 min) TLC Elementary School: We the People: A History United Streaming – turn in notes (21 min) The Almost Painless Guide to the U.S. Constitution United Streaming – turn in notes (22 min) Understanding the Constitution- Creating the FederalGovernment Odyssey: Creation of U.S. Government 7065; Creatingthe Constitution; Roots of Am. Government 7063
Lesson on the Revolutionary War
Lesson on the U.S. Constitution
The History of US - Book 3: Chapters on the Revolutionary War
Projects / Research Date Completed Hours Student
Initials Educator
Initials Evalu ation
Imaginary Island Study part I Use the study guide to write an overview of theUse the study guide to write an overview of the geography, biomes, flora, and fauna of your island asif you are designing a tourist brochure for the final product. Small group of 2 – 3 students.
The rough draft must be in essay form by eachindividual in the group. DUE END OF WEEK 2
Research rough draft completed by each individual. CHECK IN LANGUAGE ARTS BY mid WEEK 2 Design a tourist brochure with your group using MSWord
k h d hwork with students in ways they can understand.
-1-Continued on back . . .
Student’s Signature _____________________________________ Date ______________
Advisor’s Signature _____________________________________ Date ______________
AsiaAsia
• I have been in Montessori for 10 years.
• Teachers communicate with me about my needswith me about my needs. They ask how they can help me learn better. If I d d ddo not understand something right away, the teachers come to helpp and tell me to advocate for myself.
BradyBrady
• Montessori has its own style of education that helps me advocateeducation that helps me advocate for myself and become an independent learner. Our teachers tell us being independent does not mean toindependent does not mean to avoid asking for help, it just means to work hard and strive for excellence.
d d ff • Montessori education is different from other schools because if we work hard and behave, we get an SDL pin, which is a “self‐directed l ” i hi ilearner” pin. This gives us many advantages including having the satisfaction of being an independent, hard worker.
BrendenBrenden
• Montessori has a different learning system than most schools. It helps me achieve more d l land excel in my learning
progress, and gives me multiple ways to work th j t It h l than just one. It helps me use the time I get everyday to work. Above ll it h l l iall, it helps me learn in a way that fits me in order to work better.
ClaudineClaudine
• I learn new strategies for testing that I understand and have nothat I understand and have no problem with. I learn new ways to study and, maybe, get at least a B average. I want to hold on to these strategies until I get to highthese strategies until I get to high school and college.
• I advocate for myself and get help from my teachers. They make it
f d d heasier for me to understand the way to do my work. Things are organized so nothing can get confusing to me like it used to. I
k k f kcan keep track of my work to see what I have done and what I have to finish.
CydneyCydney
• If someone is a little slower d t di ti it thunderstanding an activity, the
second educator will give additional help until the student has a clear understanding. If a student still does not understand, the educator can get out materials to help Students learnto help. Students learn teamwork and how to work together.
• IVMS is a school that dedicates itself to meet the potential of students as well as all of their learning needs.
DiahnaDiahna • This program is very special. It allows
a hands on learning process that a hands‐on learning process that creates a way to use personal experiences and feelings in my education.
• This unique option invents a way toThis unique option invents a way to have one‐on‐one times with my teacher and peers. Each learning environment has two educators present and willing to help answer
i l h h i bj iquestions plus teach their subject in the most productive way.
• Instead of a traditional school with only one teacher, this allows more time with my educator for help Thetime with my educator for help. The educators inspire me to want to learn and be creative with my work.
EmilyEmily
• Montessori method of teaching is diff Y j ll b l ki idifferent. You can just tell by looking in a classroom that it is so. There are no desks in rows and the teachers are not always in front of the room. Most of the time, they
h l i t d t ith kare helping students with work.
• In the hallway you would find students working as well. These students have received special permission through hard work and leadership, so they receive a pin to symbolize that they have this permission.
• I love to draw and other students love music. In art class I get to choose what I want to work on and teach myself as I become a more skilled artist. Montessori has always encouraged me to do my best and to go for my goals.
JohnJohn
• My experience in Montessori began when I was five. It was the best year of my life. I felt welcomed every time I entered the classroom. Teachers here are kind, loving, and are likehere are kind, loving, and are like best friends. The teachers treat every student like their own child.
• If I need to talk to someone, I talk to a teacher. I can talk to them about almost anything like my favorite thing to do or what I did over the weekend. Being at this school changed myBeing at this school changed my world. Being here is like no other middle school because of the opportunity I can get here.
JacobJacob
• Having computers in all the llearning environments is a big advantage. I can finish an assignment right away instead of waiting Usinginstead of waiting. Using the computers is faster than going to the library and trying to find a book. y g
• It is an extraordinary idea that students can go to the bathroom or get a drink gwhen needed. Having this ability is a tremendous way to feel more in control.
JoshJosh
• I can learn at my own y pace which allows for a customized learning experienceexperience.
• I can work independently based on my capabilities.
• The classrooms are more open which allows for me to walk around and getto walk around and get work done independently from teachers.
KyleKyle
• The hands‐on materials help th t llimore than someone telling me
what to do because I get a live demonstration of how to do it instead of just writing it down j g in a notebook.
• Students are taught to be self‐directed learners. In a regular h l t h ischool, teachers give
assignments that are due the next day. In this school, the assignments are due within gthree weeks so I can choose what I want to work on.
MalaiaMalaia
• I can ask for help whenI can ask for help when needed. I can see the improvement while talking with the educator on where I
d h l With thi need help. With this strategy, the educators get to know me for whoget to know me for who I am and not just for my work.
MattMatt • Hands‐on learning is a great key to
learning It gives students an idea of learning. It gives students an idea of how (a concept) looks. I feel that hands‐on work helps with my understanding how things go or what something really means.g y
• Another way Montessori is unique is the individual help I receive. The teachers can talk to me alone about any problem I am having.
• Some students have learning disorders, which makes it hard for them to catch up in an ordinary school. Montessori lets them work however they can If they are good in however they can. If they are good in one subject, they can even work ahead.
MayaMaya
• The freedom to learn at a personal level is f h bi f hone of the biggest factors that separates
Montessori education with the regular public school system. Montessori allows students to develop at their own pace. S th t hild tSome may say that children are not learning to their full capacity, indeed they are. Students are not just having knowledge shoved in their heads without
d t di understanding.
• If something is too easy or too hard, it can be adjusted. Every student is working on something different. One student may be working on vocabulary and the other on an essay. I do not like being forced to work on a particular lesson. With Montessori, I know have the freedom to work on what I want.
P. J.P. J.
• Education is the foundation for t i t Tha greater society. The
Montessori system implies this throughout all lessons. Advanced lessons are taught in gunique ways. For instance, my strength may come from visually experiencing a subject (rather than another way) I(rather than another way). I feel my inner abilities for advanced schooling are unlocked. However, the bj h l dsubjects themselves and not
the grades are the true values learned at a Montessori school.
PatriciaPatricia
• Some students do not do well in math but they are excellent in math, but they are excellent in language arts. The teachers take some of the time for language arts and allow students to do extra math This allows students extra math. This allows students to focus on subjects where they struggle. It also helps students with disabilities to be the best they can be in schoolthey can be in school.
• A good skill to have today is communication, which is what Montessori provides. With good
i i i i i fcommunication, it is easier for me to get a job and be successful in life.
NathanNathan
• Montessori does not b l h dbelieve that one student is above another. Everyone is like a family too. The school also mixes grades togetheralso mixes grades together. Most of the time no one knows who is in what grade.
• We also have the right to • We also have the right to get a group of our friends together and do work without being distracted byg y a teacher or told to quit talking as long as we are talking about work.
RachelRachel • One day every week is advisory day.
The educators meet on on one with The educators meet on‐on‐one with me to discuss my contracts. In sixth grade, I attended a regular school for half the year and it was dreadful. The only time I could talk to the teacher y was within the minute between the lesson and learning what homework I had to do.
• The educators have to go through i l i i d lspecial training and classes to get
their Montessori teaching certification. The classes consist of watching videos of Montessori educators showing learning activitieseducators showing learning activities. The classes last for many weeks. My mom is taking these classes.
RossRoss
• I think Montessori is a fairly good way of learning. It is unique because it adapts to each h ld’ l h bchild’s learning habits. The amount of work can be modified to fit the hild’ dchild’s needs.
• The teachers have many good moral values.
• I think Montessori is a great way of teaching.
SammieSammie
• We are allowed to work at our own pace This does not mean we own pace. This does not mean we are allowed to fool around the whole time. It means that if we are not comprehending the concept in a particular subjectconcept in a particular subject, we may spend more time studying it or if we already understand, we may move ahead. We may also learn in anyWe may also learn in any particular form we learn best.
• Montessori environments bring out the best in people, not just in
d i b i hi hacademics but in anything they like to do whether it be music, art, acting, sports, or even our attitude and character.
SierraSierra
• Once I got into middle school, I ld hcould choose programs or
specials. In these specials, I choose a subject that interests me, like art or music. These , specials are important because I get to do something other than work. Th h l h i di id l• The school has no individual desks. I can sit with whomever I choose. Each classroom has many computers to use y p instead of computer labs.
ToriTori
• In a Montessori school, educators and staff help me to achieve the goals I so much desire. They help me on a “soul level connection” to deepen my education and to grow asdeepen my education and to grow as a person. The school opens up doorways to an open‐minded and fresh approach to education.
• I have enriching opportunities such as choosing to work on what I want. I have the chance to make a schedule of what I would like to work on and of what I would like to work on and when I would like to work on it, as long as it gets done on time.
DownsidesDownsides
• Students can feel lost because of not being able to make decisions.
• Sitting with friends canSitting with friends can impede concentration.
• Students can get out of control if they takecontrol if they take advantage of the freedom.
• Sometimes learning can feel di i ddisorganized.
• Montessori is probably very different than high school.
DownsidesDownsides
• Students can feel lost because of not being able to make decisions.
• Sitting with friends can impedeg p concentration.
• Students can get out of control if they take advantage of theif they take advantage of the freedom.
• Sometimes learning can feel disorganizeddisorganized.
• Montessori is probably very different than high school.
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