Montessori Method
Overview
Montessori classes
Montessori classes are learning laboratories in which children are allowed to explore, discover, and select their own work. This model recognizes the importance of student choice in creating engaging learning experiences and building independent learners. Students learn and understand the values of compassion, empathy, service, integrity, self-reliance and tolerance. They develop confidence in their ability to ask questions, puzzle out the answer and learn at their own pace. The Montessori program at Grissom Elementary is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all lines of differences – a safe and caring place for all.
Montessori Classrooms Include:
- Multi-age groupings that foster peer learning;
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time;
- Freedom within limits;
- Guided choice of work activity;
- Specially designed Montessori learning materials;
- An aesthetically pleasing classroom environment; and
- An emphasis on cultivating leaders of the future who live with integrity and show gratitude, demonstrate persistence, excel, and respect and help others and the environment.
Montessori Guides
Montessori teachers are known as guides and serve as facilitators and guides who are responsible for ensuring that students work at their own level so they make the most efficient and effective progress. Teachers create classrooms that feel like a "second family" and are positive and productive learning communities. We are educating innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, scientist, engineers, teachers, and humanitarians.
Montessori vs Traditional Education
| Montessori | Traditional |
|---|---|
| multi-age classroom | single-age classroom |
| freedom to move around room | seated at desks |
| family atmosphere | little socialization |
| individual and small group lessons | large group lessons |
| learn by using all five senses | learn by listening, watching, reading |
| long, free work periods | planned activities |
| enhanced curriculum | grade-level curriculum |
| student progress and mastery of concepts | peer comparisons as test |
| observation-based progress report | graded report cards |
| progress at individual rate | annual promotion |
| natural and logical consequences | rewards and punishments |
| peace in education | punishment |
| emphasis on learning | emphasis on grades |
| emphasis on individuality | emphasis on conformity |
| freedom within limits | controlling environment |
| child-centered schedule and environment | teacher-centered schedule and environment |
Child-Centered Environment
| Child-Centered Environment | Teacher-Centered Environment |
|---|---|
| children complete work | children interrupted by teacher or end of period |
| children learn by doing | teacher lectures |
| self-correcting materials | teacher as source of answers |
| children choose their materials | teacher chooses curriculum |
| children set own page | teacher sets pace for entire class |
| children work out of joy and curiosity | teacher tells children to work |
| self-motivation | teacher motivates children |
| children stimulated by curiosity and love of learning | teacher stimulates children to learn |
| children free to work independently | teacher guides children |
| children help each other | teacher helps children |
| emphasis on self-control and self-discipline | teacher as disciplinarian |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Montessori?
- How is it different from other Tulsa Public Schools programs?
- Who benefits from Montessori?
- What will you see in a Montessori classroom?
- Why have we selected Grissom as a site for the next Montessori elementary school?
- Is the Emerson Montessori model successful?
- How is the Montessori model funded?
- Do all Montessori classrooms have an assistant?
- Does room design change for the Montessori model? Will our building need modifications?
- How will the school transition from traditional to Montessori school be “rolled out”?
- How will students transition to middle school?
What is Montessori?
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative work. In Montessori classrooms, children make choices in their learning, while the classroom and the teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. Children work in groups and individually to discover and explore knowledge of the world and to develop their maximum potential. Students use materials created by Maria Montessori and classroom teachers.
How is it different from other Tulsa Public Schools programs?
The Montessori program at Grissom will follow the Montessori philosophy and method of education. The Montessori program is a fully inclusive curriculum and will cover all areas of learning. Each classroom will have a full line of specific Montessori materials that teach all objectives in the curriculum. Teachers in Montessori classrooms undergo a rigorous training program and are the key to the success of a Montessori classroom.
Who benefits from Montessori?
What will you see in a Montessori classroom?
Why have we selected Grissom as a site for the next Montessori elementary school?
We started Montessori expansion planning with a broad look at schools across our district that are experiencing a steady decline in neighborhood enrollment and are currently under-enrolled as compared to available classroom space. We also looked at schools where fewer than 65% of the students that live in the school boundary are choosing the neighborhood school as their “school of choice”. Grissom Elementary meets these criteria.
We examined the location of middle school options, such as personalized learning programs and extended learning options that could potentially meet the needs of students that would exit a Montessori program at the conclusion of 5th grade and transition to a traditional secondary school.
Is the Emerson Montessori model successful?
The Montessori model, first established in Tulsa Public Schools at Emerson Elementary, has been in place since 2018.
Through informal teacher forums, Montessori trained teachers report a high level of satisfaction with their teaching experience, support for their development, and a belief that their students’ Montessori experience will increase student academic achievement, especially during the early childhood years.
Parent requests for seats in the Montessori program at Emerson this year exceeded available seats, and indicates that families in our district want access to the program and believe that it is a viable investment for Tulsa Public Schools in shaping our future.
Per available national research studies, the impact of the Montessori model, if implemented with fidelity, has the potential to equalize the achievement of students across all socio-economic levels in the early childhood years positioning students for higher levels of achievement in grades 3-5.
How is the Montessori model funded?
The program model is funded through multiple funding sources:
- Teachers are allocated through the district staffing plan.
- Some teacher allocations are exchanged for teacher assistants, as class sizes are typically larger than in traditional classrooms, 24-28 students. Each class is staffed with a Montessori trained teacher and teacher assistant
- Teacher assistants not earned by allocation exchanges are funded by site Title I funds
- Montessori curriculum, materials, and equipment are non-consumable, and funded through a Bond project budget dedicated to Montessori programming
- Site Title I funds support intervention programs, such as guided reading, and intervention teachers, and other support roles such as Academic Engagement Teachers, etc.
- District funds support teacher training costs and related stipends
Do all Montessori classrooms have an assistant?
Successful Montessori instruction is dependent on having two Montessori trained professionals in each classroom, as the model requires that a teacher and assistant work together to support the delivery of individual student lessons and related student work. Upper elementary classrooms may share a teacher assistant.
Does room design change for the Montessori model? Will our building need modifications?
Yes, the design of classrooms changes dramatically as a classroom becomes a Montessori learning environment. Classroom designs will not require changes to building structures at Grissom. Changes in furniture and room arrangement will be supported through bond funds. Some classroom spaces may be designated as shared space for multi-age classrooms. Grissom Elementary’s recent building renovation provides updated early childhood classroom space that will easily accommodate the Montessori program.
How will the school transition from traditional to Montessori school be “rolled out”?
How will students transition to middle school?
This is a question we are exploring. We are examining Montessori secondary models across the nation. Available research studies indicate that students that exit an elementary Montessori program are successful in traditional secondary school options. We are exploring the extension of the Montessori education principles through the personalized learning programs at Central MS and HS, and Memorial MS and HS, as well as through interest-based programs.