Families often ask us about how Montessori differs from conventional or traditional methods of educating children. Here are some of what differentiates the Montessori pedagogy, by age group.
First through Third Grade
Montessori
Emphasis on free choice, initiative
Teacher assists and guides
Learning materials are self-correcting
Learning materials are hands-on
Student can go as far as capable
Moving from independent work to group work
Emphasis on independence
Conventional
Emphasis on following directions
Teacher gives information
Learning is corrected by teacher
Learning materials paper and pencil
Student stays at pace with class
Moving from group play to group instruction
Emphasis on compliance
Fourth through Sixth Grade
Montessori
Emphasis on free choice and initiative as a working group
Teacher gives comprehensive lesson and assigns long projects without grades
Students keep individual work journals
Learning materials hands-on and developed for groups
Conventional
Emphasis on seat work and individual achievement
Teacher gives daily bits of instruction followed up with homework and grades
Teachers keep track of progress
Learning material in workbooks, worksheets, and individual work
Seventh Grade and Beyond
Montessori
Emphasis on self-responsibility to manage multiple work projects to completion
Teacher assists with critiquing and student assessment of work
Emphasis on continuous improvement
Student can move beyond grade level individually
Conventional
Emphasis on completion of classwork and homework assigned by teacher