The Defining Characteristics of Montessori
I was doing some research today for a future post on grace and courtesy (it's coming, I promise!) when I came across an interesting list. It's called 25 Characteristics of Montessori (you have to scroll down to see it) and it was created by the Montessori Society of Central Maryland.
It lists many characteristics that you'd expect to see in a Montessori classroom; here it is in its entirety:
1. respect for the child
2. respect for one another
3. cultural diversity
4. universal adaptability
5. cosmic education
6. individuality
7. independence
8. freedom of choice
9. hands-on learning
10. love of work
11. care of oneself
12. spontaneous concentration
13. self-discipline
14. lessons of grace and courtesy
15. intrinsic motivation
16. initiative
17. prepared environment
18. didactic materials
19. integrated curriculum
20. sense of order
21. heterogeneous (mixed-age) grouping
22. refinement of the senses
23. movement
24. auto education
25. teacher as facilitator
It's an extensive, comprehensive list. And I like that the materials are only 2 of the 25 - numbers 17 & 18. That's usually where we put most of the emphasis, especially when trying to decide whether a school or homeschool is "Montessori" or not.
Could an environment be "Montessori" without having some of the things on this list? I think the answer is a qualified yes, although taking one or more away will always leave you with less than the Montessori ideal. Are any of them more important than the others? Certainly the first 10 stand out as the most obvious, observable qualities of a Montessori environment. But the others are also necessary to the growth of a healthy, well-rounded child.
I'm going to keep this list in mind as I homeschool this next year, and make sure I'm focusing equally on every quality listed here - not just materials or workplans. Most of the questions I get from people who are new to Montessori are about where to find materials or albums, but this list is a great reminder that Montessori is about a lot more than that. A perfect example: children walking on the line, perfecting concentration, listening abilities, and gross motor skills; purposeful movement and refinement of the senses, all wrapped up in one activity.
It lists many characteristics that you'd expect to see in a Montessori classroom; here it is in its entirety:
1. respect for the child
2. respect for one another
3. cultural diversity
4. universal adaptability
5. cosmic education
6. individuality
7. independence
8. freedom of choice
9. hands-on learning
10. love of work
11. care of oneself
12. spontaneous concentration
13. self-discipline
14. lessons of grace and courtesy
15. intrinsic motivation
16. initiative
17. prepared environment
18. didactic materials
19. integrated curriculum
20. sense of order
21. heterogeneous (mixed-age) grouping
22. refinement of the senses
23. movement
24. auto education
25. teacher as facilitator
It's an extensive, comprehensive list. And I like that the materials are only 2 of the 25 - numbers 17 & 18. That's usually where we put most of the emphasis, especially when trying to decide whether a school or homeschool is "Montessori" or not.
Could an environment be "Montessori" without having some of the things on this list? I think the answer is a qualified yes, although taking one or more away will always leave you with less than the Montessori ideal. Are any of them more important than the others? Certainly the first 10 stand out as the most obvious, observable qualities of a Montessori environment. But the others are also necessary to the growth of a healthy, well-rounded child.
I'm going to keep this list in mind as I homeschool this next year, and make sure I'm focusing equally on every quality listed here - not just materials or workplans. Most of the questions I get from people who are new to Montessori are about where to find materials or albums, but this list is a great reminder that Montessori is about a lot more than that. A perfect example: children walking on the line, perfecting concentration, listening abilities, and gross motor skills; purposeful movement and refinement of the senses, all wrapped up in one activity.
Comments:
Lori,
I think I'll print this list and post it on my classroom door. Not only will it help me focus this year, but it will help serve as a reminder to all who enter my classroom: co-teacher, parents, fellow teachers, guests, and administrators. Thanks for the inspiration.
It would be neat if all Montessori schools posted that list where everyone could see it. Great idea!
Post a Comment
<< Home