In this powerful collection of personal accounts, successful and respected teachers from across the country reveal how recent education policies have played out in their schools and classrooms in negative and counterproductive ways, and offer teacher-led alternatives for providing equitable, engaging, and empowering education. Framed by critical…

This article presents an excerpt from a typed manuscript of one of many lectures Maria Montessori delivered in 1915 in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. In this particular lecture, Montessori talked about how teachers can make a profound change in their way of teaching. Instead of doing the traditional lecture, teachers can learn how to…

Addresses the issue of whether the child must be presented with a lesson before choosing it, or should be allowed to choose any work desired. Presents arguments for each philosophy, and the pros and cons of each choice. Asserts that the free choice option is most consistent with Montessori philosophy. (SD)

Presents guidelines for referral and test evaluation of students with suspected learning or behavioral challenges for Montessori schools and staff. Includes an observation checklist in the areas of classroom behavior, classroom performance, and social behavior for teachers to use when a student is experiencing difficulties. Concludes with…

Asserting that widespread Head Start and state universal prekindergarten programs validate the need for a nationalized preschool program, this paper presents an argument for nationalizing Montessori-style preschool education in the United States. The paper maintains that Montessori-style classrooms use developmentally appropriate practices as…

Details, first-hand, start-up year experiences of the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Huntsburg, Ohio. Describes the emerging organization of the project, including: full-time staff roles; the typical daily schedule; occupation projects for the 2000-2001 school year; and projects for 2000-2001 related to humanities, creative expression, physical…

Designed for Montessori teachers with little background in the plastic arts, this discussion points out that, while the Montessori program has many features that support creative development, presently, no art curriculum exists. The article indicates the limitations of Maria Montessori's ideas and attitudes about the role of art in the education…

Discusses the essential elements of Montessori educational philosophy and theory, focusing on the integration, development, and maintenance of the four characteristics of normalization (concentration, work, discipline, sociability) into adulthood. Discusses Montessori's view that development and retention of these positive characteristics could be…

Uses Havighurst's 11 developmental tasks for normal adolescence as a basis for a discussion of the prepared environment for the adolescent; tasks include adjusting to a new physical self and intellectual abilities, establishing adult vocational goals, and establishing emotional and psychological independence from parents. Considers the needs and…

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…

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 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…

Compares the developmental characteristics of early and middle adolescents and identifies elements necessary to a Montessori secondary program. Describes implementation at middle and high school levels in one Texas school, with elements relating to community building and student leadership; responsibility for learning and assessment; academic…

Discusses the role that full-day Montessori preschool programs play in providing preschoolers with much more than the term "day care" implies, focusing on the teaching methods and educational strategies that such programs employ with preschoolers and their parents. (MDM)

Examines reading, writing, and mathematics for older primary children within the Montessori setting. Emphasizes normalization and engaging links with the prepared environment, focusing on how discovery moments in reading and contexts for learning around culture create natural conditions for learning. Asserts that the guided discovery approach…