Offers suggestions for facilitating collaboration between families and schools, based on experience in Montessori education. Advocates gaining trust through regular informal social gatherings of parents and principal, pointing out that trust can help parents deal with anxiety over future academic success. Notes the efficacy of a parent education…

Reviews Marshak's book describing the work of educators Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, Aurobindo Ghose, and Inayat Khan. Maintains that the book gives clear, concise information on each educator and presents a common vision for children and their education; also maintains that it gives theoretical and practical information and discusses…

Contends that these are the "best of times" for public and private education in the United States, focusing on educational reform initiatives that could significantly reshape Montessori education at all levels. Examines the impact of several reform initiatives: national and state standards, testing and accountability, research-based curriculum and…

Reviews current literature--noting limitations--and provides observations regarding the impact on learning of six physical attributes of the Montessori prepared environment: aesthetics, spatial factors, light, noise, color, and temperature. Suggests guidelines for Montessori classrooms. Concludes by asserting that considering these six…

The purpose of this study was to compare the academic achievement of 543 urban 4th- (n=291) and 8th- (n=252) grade students who attended Montessori or traditional education programs. The majority of the sample consisted of minority students (approximately 53 percent), and was considered low income (approximately 67 percent). Students who attended…

In Montessori schools, the best way to strengthen the climate of success by the administrators is called "transformational leadership". Leadership theorist James McGregor Burns identifies transformational leadership as a mutual belief and value system, and a commitment between a principal and teachers to focus on what works best for their school.…

While a growing body of research reveals the beneficial effects of music on education performance the value of music in educating the young child is not being recognized. If research of students in the school system indicates that learning through the arts can benefit the "whole" child, that math achievement scores are significantly…

Describes cosmic education as the Montessori guide for educating 6- to 12-year-olds. Discusses practical consequences of Montessori's ideas, including the selection of the "great story," the need for physics at the elementary level to teach the laws of nature, the citizen's responsibility for the earth's survival, the importance of…

The Practical Life aspect of Montessori education offers middle school students opportunities to take on responsibilities and develop job readiness skills. Practical Life skill training relates to self-guidance, navigation, grace and courtesy, caring for others, and management of responsibilities, time, and money. Community service in the…

Examined Montessori middle-school students', parents', and teachers' priorities for success in five areas (achievement, self-discipline, personal integrity, responsible citizenship, and enjoyment of work) and extent to which these were present in the classroom. Found significant differences in perceptions among the three groups in each school type…

Discusses how Montessori infant and toddler communities provide an occasion for child development education for upper elementary and adolescent students within the school. Uses a question-and-answer format to illustrate how the program addresses the reality of lifestyles other than that of the traditional family. (Author/KB)

Asserts that adolescents within Montessori environments continue to use creative imagination to develop the self and still need concrete materials and manipulative tasks. Maintains that a degree of independence must be allowed for adolescents to form the foundation for self- discipline. Discusses the importance of mastering a few areas in depth…

Presents the underlying assumptions for the Erdkinder concept of educating adolescents. Discusses the importance of independence and social life beyond the family, the necessary environmental awareness for youth in the context of civilization, the meaning behind social values of civilization, and the importance of social morals, social…

Presents information on the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Huntsburg, Ohio, after a year of operation. Includes beginning case studies, which represent individual change to a higher level of personal realization and social cooperation. Focuses on development of the farm community as the backdrop for personal change and healing, which…

Describes "occupation" as a Montessori term, which the Hershey Montessori Farm School, in Huntsburg, Ohio, has adopted for any task arising from the needs of the farm that then generates a scientific or historic study. Includes lists of occupations pursued during 2000-2001 and samples of record forms students used to manage their work.…