Thoughts on Montessori

[andwhat]

H and I toured a Montessori school today and were pretty impressed. At the lower level it reminded me of the school we really liked but significantly cheaper. I think it would be hard for me to get used to not getting the constant skill level assessments, but I like the idea of kids being able to learn at their own pace and everything being a learning experience. 

Anyone have kids in Montessori or have any thoughts on it?

[kicks]

I went to Montessori for a little bit and I'm fabulous, so....

Jk. I obviously haven't really looked in to it but I mostly hear good things and it seems like a good option for kids. If it's cheaper then I'd go for it.

[thejackpot]

my son has been in Montessori since about 2.5 yrs. I actually called this am to see about enrolling my dd in the fall. There are so many aspects that I love- the way phonics is used, self-pacing and decision making. He is introduced to so much with cultural studies which I appreciate. Trevor Eissler has a great video about Montessori that really speaks to the advantages of Montessori.

[andwhat]

thejackpot I forgot your son was in Montessori. I will check out the video. Thanks.

ETA: I love that they still practice cursive. 

[bimbi284]

I went to Montessori school, and I think it was really good for me. Having moved from PR without speaking any English, it was good for me to be able to learn English (and everything else I was supposed to be learning at that age) at my own pace.

[andwhat]

Feb 4, 2017 10:20:23 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

I've seen some done really well and others not so well. A good Montessori program is great. My oldest has ADHD but really enjoys some of the Montessori type activities we've done at home-I think it forces her to slow down.

My youngest goes to a preschool at a UU church that is a mish mash of Montessori and Reggio Emilia. I think she'd really thrive in a Montessori school. I'm going to try to get her into the public Montessori pre-k program when she turns 4.

What would be some signs that it is not being done well? I guess I am just concerned about knowing whether or not she is really prepared since there isn't that constant reassurance she is on benchmark. 

We observed a class for about 20 minutes and I really couldn't figure out what they were doing or what they were supposed to be focused on.

Definitely have to do more research.

[andwhat]

@barefootbarista I did specifically ask what happened to kids who seemed to not be doing well in the Montessori program. The VP (who does the tours) said that all kids can be reached, you just have to find the way to reach them. That was reassuring.

They do have a garden and chickens and tons of outdoor space (it is on 22 acres). I really like that. The older grades built a greenhouse within the last year or two.

I will check into the accreditation. I have read reviews though and most are positive. Someone who H knows kids go there and they really like the school.

[cookiemdough]

What grade does it go through? If only early years then I would ask the school for tips on transition to a more restrictive school environment after Montessori and how kids have adjusted.

[andwhat]

Feb 6, 2017 8:33:42 GMT -5 cookiemdough said:

What grade does it go through? If only early years then I would ask the school for tips on transition to a more restrictive school environment after Montessori and how kids have adjusted.

It goes to 8th grade. Looking at their enrollment per grade level (even though they aren't divided like that) there is a huge drop off after 3rd grade. I will have to find out more about that. They provided a list of high schools the kids go to and it is all the local ones public and private, but nothing about how those kids are fairing in those schools.

[thejackpot]

andwhat the drop off may be due to having other options. I know it's harder to find Montessori programs that go up to middle school but there are several that stop at third.
I have taught a few kids who did Montessori until starting high school. Three that I can think of and all three of them told me the adjustment was hard. Having the structure of traditional hs was different. I taught one of them again in 11th an she was seriously one of the most creative out of the box thinkers I have ever taught. She always pushed the discussion in different directions and she was very confident. I know these are all anecdotal stories but she really struck a cord with me because she attributed her approach to learning and being self motivated to Montessori. It was a part of her college essay.

[threejs]

I strongly considered Montessori for my dd and looked hard at one near me. Ended up not going that route, but I have heard lots about kids coming from Montessori into our current school and really struggling academically.

I like it for the younger years, but even given what thejackpot said, I worry about it's effectiveness for older kids. My understanding when I was looking was that they are very anti - technology (so at the one toured, there were no computers and kids didn't have access to technology of any kind, really). That may have just been a shitty Montessori - but I do think in this day and age, especially starting in about 3rd grade, kids need access to technology.

[LLL]

My younger brother went to Montesorri school up until the 8th grade and then high-school at a super strict all-boys prep school. The transition was fine, most of the problems had more to do with the snootiness of the prep-school than the Montesorri education. I also had a sister that did Montesorri but transitioned to public school and that was a much better experience. In both cases they're both thriving adults  

[thejackpot]

Feb 6, 2017 12:08:57 GMT -5 threejs said:

I strongly considered Montessori for my dd and looked hard at one near me. Ended up not going that route, but I have heard lots about kids coming from Montessori into our current school and really struggling academically.

I like it for the younger years, but even given what thejackpot said, I worry about it's effectiveness for older kids. My understanding when I was looking was that they are very anti - technology (so at the one toured, there were no computers and kids didn't have access to technology of any kind, really). That may have just been a shitty Montessori - but I do think in this day and age, especially starting in about 3rd grade, kids need access to technology.

I don't think it's necessarily anti technology. My son has access to technology at school but to be honest I think schools rely too much on technology. My eight year old is a pro without using it abundantly at school.