Montessori method of schooling

[Miami 0]

Anyone have experience with Montessori? Likes, dislikes, anything you'd like to comment on about it?

Miami

[skybytch 273]

My son went to a Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten. Both he and I liked it a lot.

The only downside that I saw was the transition from there to public school. Going from that atmosphere to the typical "shut up and learn what's on the standardized test" public school atmosphere was no fun. We solved that by moving to a town that had much better public schools.

[guppie01 0]

My boyfriends' son has attended since 1st grade (now 14 yrs old). In my opinion he happens to be one of the most open minded, and enthusiastic to learn, kid I've ever met. I truly believe that the schooling has taught him that. His knowledge base is very broad, and he can discuss just about anything. I nearly shit my pants last year when this 13 year old boy sat down with me to have a talk about theology.

However when it comes to structure he is lacking. I'm afraid for him when it comes time for him to either go to public school or college. The study styles are so different it will be a HUGE transition for him.

If your child is driven creatively, Montessori is a good route - it allows the child to explore instead of stagnating the child.

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[cjsgrlsx3 0]

My opinion only.........After looking at schools for my girls, I compared Montessori, Private, and Public, I wanted them to be well rounded and educated. Montessori would have been a great place (I felt private school was a waste of money) but when it came down to it alot depends on the child. If you and your wife are involved, your daughter will thrive well in public school. My 13 year old has had a great experience with school and is an excellent student! My 8 year old does very well also. I am not against Montessori I just think that money could be spent other places or placed in a savings account. Besides, would you be able to afford it if you had another one and needed to send that child to Montessori also? Just a thought.

[Miami 0]

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The only downside that I saw was the transition from there to public school. Going from that atmosphere to the typical "shut up and learn what's on the standardized test" public school atmosphere was no fun. We solved that by moving to a town that had much better public schools.

That's one of the things I was concerned about...being military we tend to move every few years so not sure how she would handle going from one type of school to another...

Miami

[Miami 0]

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My boyfriends' son has attended since 1st grade (now 14 yrs old). In my opinion he happens to be one of the most open minded, and enthusiastic to learn, kid I've ever met. I truly believe that the schooling has taught him that. His knowledge base is very broad, and he can discuss just about anything. I nearly shit my pants last year when this 13 year old boy sat down with me to have a talk about theology.

That's really positive! Sounds a lot like how I hope my daughter will be...

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However when it comes to structure he is lacking. I'm afraid for him when it comes time for him to either go to public school or college. The study styles are so different it will be a HUGE transition for him.

Can you expand on this part? I don't think I understand what you mean by his structure being lacking.

Miami

[Miami 0]

I agree, but the district we live in does not have very good schools at all. I'd rather not spend the money but I also want the best for her. Private school is not an option because all of the private schools in our area are religious. My wife and I were at first thinking home schooling, but with both of us now working and going to school ourselves that's not an option.

Definitely no worries about any other kids...little bit of the snip, snip, burn, burn, staple, staple fixed that!

Miami

[Zenister 0]

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The only downside that I saw was the transition from there to public school. Going from that atmosphere to the typical "shut up and learn what's on the standardized test" public school atmosphere was no fun. We solved that by moving to a town that had much better public schools.

That's one of the things I was concerned about...being military we tend to move every few years so not sure how she would handle going from one type of school to another...

so rather have her in a 'high end' school for the portion of time you can, you'd keep her in the medocre public schools so there wont be a transition adjustment??

Get the best you can where you are.. then get additional tutors when you have to deal with the public education system as the most likely scenerio is that she wont be challenged at all in the public systems after being exposed to a better learning enviroment.

If you are lucky you will have some public school teachers who recognize that many of the 'military brats' simply are not engaged by the 'read, write, reguritate' style of 'teaching' given at public schools once they have been exposed to better systems and so will offer outside studies/assignments to engage those students who are otherwise bored to tears...... but those are few and far between...

for those who are unaware many DoD funded schools have PhD's teaching even in secondary schools... the difference in educational focus and attention is staggering.

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[kelel01 1]

I went for the first few years, and learning at my own pace was awesome - mainly because my pace was fast, though. I was pretty competitive, even as a young child. I think if I had learned at a slower pace, I might have not enjoyed it so much. And yes, public school was quite a shock when I left Montessori (when my dad chose a new, less lucrative career path).

I really, really loved it, though.

[Squeak 17]

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My boyfriends' son has attended since 1st grade (now 14 yrs old). In my opinion he different it will be a HUGE transition for him.

Can you expand on this part? I don't think I understand what you mean by his structure being lacking.

Montessori school adcovate a free flowing method of education with limited or very little structure involved (the child will learn when they are ready type of thing). Some kids find this lack of structure Great, and they thrive in that environment. Many other kids struggle with the lack of structure.
Montessori methods work well but they are not for all kids.
If you are looking at non standard scholing methods you can also do a lbit of research on Steiner (Waldorf) schooling techniques.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[ntrprnr 0]

I was a montessori kid from 2nd to 5th grade. I liked it - Hardest thing for me was integrating to a public school that had "rules" as opposed to the free style of Montessori.

I'd recommend it.

-Peter

_______________
"Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?"
"Even in freefall, I have commitment issues."

[cjsgrlsx3 0]

I think whatever you choose will be best for her. It makes a huge difference that you will not have to put another one through school. Have you thought of cross districting for her schooling? Depending on where you live versus work it may make a big difference.. You can even cross district city to city. Check out different Montessori schools also. Just because they are all Monessori doesn't mean they are the same. Good luck and see you around the DZ! Cassandra

[matt1215 0]

I thought Montessori was a device that slowly turns meat over a grill .

[Miami 0]

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The only downside that I saw was the transition from there to public school. Going from that atmosphere to the typical "shut up and learn what's on the standardized test" public school atmosphere was no fun. We solved that by moving to a town that had much better public schools.

That's one of the things I was concerned about...being military we tend to move every few years so not sure how she would handle going from one type of school to another...

so rather have her in a 'high end' school for the portion of time you can, you'd keep her in the medocre public schools so there wont be a transition adjustment??

No, we would rather have her in the best school possible, we're just concerned that if we move someplace that doesn't have Montessori that there would be a difficult adjustment period to whatever type of school she ends up attending.

Miami

[Lindsey 0]

My son started Montessori when he was 18 mos old and was there until he was 7. He was a difficult kid to teach to read. Just didn't get it. When he started public school at the beginning of 2nd grade, he was already far behind in his reading, but way ahead in math.

I think the Montessori school was really good for him in terms of developing his overall thought processes and in terms of building on his strengths. However, where there was a problem (reading), Montessori was bad for him. Our (failing...HA) public school worked overtime with my son to catch him up in reading during 2nd grade. This year he scored in the 99th percentile on the verbal section of the Iowa test (4th grade).

Montessori has a lot of good points. I'm glad Jay was there for several years. BUT, it ain't all that, and public schools aren't gonna doom our kids to ignorance.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Miami 0]

Yikes...Steiner's Waldorf schools are way to cult-like for my taste!

Miami

[Miami 0]

Thanks for the feedback...it's really reassuring to hear comments like that from people who were students of the program! Did either of you attend any other type of school before Montessori or was it only after?

Miami

[Miami 0]

There are some magnet schools that aren't half bad that we are going to try and test her for, but the Montessori is the only decent school that is also local. I called them today to schedule an appointment to tour the school, that should give me a better idea of how I feel about it...

Miami

[Miami 0]

Great point! I agree about public schools...that's all I ever went to...but if I can't get her out of the district that we live in there's no way I'm letting her go to them here.

Miami

[Miami 0]

Visited the school today and loved it. Submitted an application and the kiddo will be interviewed this Friday to confirm she is ok to attend. Was really impressed overall with the facility, teachers, and behavior of the kids who were in the class that was in progress.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

Miami