Matching State Standards with the Montessori Curriculum

1
Matching State Standards with the Montessori
Curriculum

• By Michael Duffy
• AMS National Conference / Houston
• May 2006

2
How I got into Standards

• Visits to classrooms around the country
• Arizona charter schools / workshop
• Comparison with other states

3
Montessori Principles for Teaching Math

• Concrete materials instead of workbooks
• Understanding instead of memorization
• Discovery instead of teacher direction
• Active learning instead of passive learning
• Problem-solving instead of shortcuts
• Emphasis on process instead of product
• Integration of Math and Geometry

4
Mathematics Standards

• Strand 1 Number Sense / Operations / Estimation
• Strand 2 Data Analysis, Probability, Discrete
  Math
• Strand 3 Patterns, Algebra and Functions
• Strand 4 Geometry / Measurement / Coordinate
• Strand 5 Structure and Logic

5
How Montessori meets the standards

• Number sense and operations - exceeds
• Patterns, algebra and functions - exceeds
• Geometry and measurement - exceeds
• Structure and logic - exceeds
• Data analysis, probability, discrete math -
• draw from cultural / teacher-made materials

6
Montessori Principles for Teaching Reading

• Hands-on, multi-sensory materials
• Phonics emphasis, with sight reading added
• Reading and writing learned in tandem
• Literature used as reader
• Grammar enhances reading and writing
• Cultural curriculum develops fluency,
  comprehension and vocabulary skills

7
Language Reading Standard

• Strand 1 Reading Process - print concepts,
  phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency
• Strand 2 Comprehending Literary Text - elements
  of literature, historical and cultural
• Strand 3 Comprehending Informational Text -
  expository, functional and persuasive texts

8
How Montessori Meets the Standards

• Reading Process - exceeds
• Comprehending Literary Text - exceeds
• Comprehending Informational Text - exceeds

9
Conclusion

• Montessori Math and Language curriculum exceeds
  standards in all but a handful of performance
  outcomes
• It doesnt work unless we do it giving time to
  other programs takes away from benefit of
  Montessori approach