ARTICLES ON MONTESSORI EDUCATION
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why and how was Eagle Peak Montessori School created?
- What is a Charter School?
- What is the origin of Montessori education?
- What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
- What special training do Montessori teachers have?
- Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children?
- Are Montessori children successful later in life
- How is student progress evaluated and shared with parents?
- How is discipline handled?
- How is creativity fostered in a Montessori classroom?
- How will children be selected for the program?
- “Why and how was Eagle Peak Montessori School created?Several parents had been sending their young children to a number of small private Montessori schools. The parents tended to be very delighted with this form of education and witnessed how their children were progressing. So, they naturally began to ask the question, “Isn’t there something more?” In 1998, Krista Ericson, an experienced Montessori preschool teacher, and Toni Mariani, a Montessori Mom, decided to do something about the gap between high interest and the need for elementary Montessori education and the lack of elementary Montessori schools. They began researching the Charter School educational reform movement in California and nationally and knew with hard work and persistence they could help create a Montessori Charter School. Several talented and dedicated parents, educators, and advisors coalesced into an effective Development Team. In the fall of 1999, they hired Paula Biwer, a Montessori expert, as the Project Manager. The Eagle Peak Montessori Development Team submitted their Charter School proposal to the Mt. Diablo Unified School District School Board on January 11, 2000 and the charter was granted on March 28, 2000. The charter was renewed by a unanimous vote of the MDUSD Board in 2005.
Back to the top. - What is a Charter School? A Charter School is a public school that has an approved legally binding contract with its sponsoring school district that authorizes the school to operate pursuant to the terms of the charter and any applicable state and federal laws. Typically a charter agreement functions as an outline of the design framework for the school containing the school’s mission, vision, student learning goals, and operational principles.
Back to the top. - What is the origin of Montessori education? Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first Casa dei Bambini (“Children’s House”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.
Back to the top. - What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education? Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.Back to the top.
- What special training do Montessori teachers have? The two major organizations offering Montessori training in the United States are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch office called AMI-USA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). Most training centers require a bachelor’s degree for admission. Training ranges from 200 to 600 pre-service contact hours and covers principles of child development and Montessori philosophy as well as specific uses of the Montessori classroom materials.Back to the top.
- Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children? Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to peers.Back to the top.
- Are Montessori children successful later in life? Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations. Follow these links to articles on Montessori graduates: The Montessori Mafia (Wall Street Journal), Is Montessori The Origin of Google & Amazon? (Forbes) Back to the top.
- How is student progress evaluated and shared with parents?Each classroom teacher will keep detailed records of each student’s work. These records will reflect a child’s social, personal, academic, cognitive, physical and artistic development. These records will show an individual student’s development over time and will not compare the child to the group. This information will be shared during parent-teacher conferences and on written progress reports. The students will also participate in the required state and federal testing and outcomes will be shared in the traditional way and time.>Back to the top.
- How is discipline handled?It has been the experience that children in Montessori programs have fewer discipline problems because the classroom environments encourage the child’s personal freedom and choices tempered by structure and responsibility in a community of learner’s atmosphere. When a child exhibits inappropriate behavior, such as not treating the environment or a classmate with respect, natural or logical consequences are the result. A copy of the complete discipline procedures are included in the parent handbook. Back to the top.
- How is creativity fostered in a Montessori classroom?By grounding the child in reality based experiences, we foster the early development of both the imagination and the intuitive mind. Work with the manipulative materials in a learning environment rich in language exchanges develops the motor skills and control, enhances sensory perception, promotes concentration and also the exchange of ideas. The Montessori environment encourages children to pursue their artistic interests.Back to the top.
- How will children be selected for the program? Eagle Peak Montessori Charter School is open to any student in the state through the annual enrollment and lottery process. Please follow this link to learn more-enrollment process. Back to the top.