All teachers, Montessori included, draw from a common source: the child and our “best practices” for teaching and learning. There are, however, unique aspects to a Montessori environment.
- 3-year age span: 3-6 years, 6-9 years, and 9-12 years
- Individually prepared lessons: Small group lessons for 2-6 children
- Uninterrupted work periods (2-3 hours): Child schedules work
- Hands-on materials for self-teaching
- Limitation of material
- High child-to-adult ratio
- “Cosmic education”: A term used to describe the unique curriculum, materials, and methods developed by Dr. Maria Montessori
- Limited testing: Assessment is based on observation, student work journals and portfolios, meetings with teacher
- No grades: Anecdotal reports of social and psychological development, academic progress are used instead