The Montessori Controversy

Rating:
Summary: It was wonderful. Packed full of information.
Review: I ordered this book for a research paper and it helped me tremendously. I believe it is the most up-to-date book I have read yet. The book is a very descriptive account of both the pros and the cons of Montessori.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE if you want to understand the Montessori world
Review: I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye opening book about the Montessori schools and methods, it really helped answer all of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon is now getting closer to his 2nd birthday. And unfortunately I see that the traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal and academic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in the country) and we had checked with several others just to make sure.

I always heard about the Montessori schools and " how different " their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, aware their kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumors about it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son current school to a Montessori one.

This book is written very clear to answer all those questions and the analysis that the author does regarding the "myths" that other people create about the Montessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is just starting from ground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.

After reading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GA after looking at more then 8. The author also gives you some "hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (that really helped alot).

My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to think about moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following:

1) Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to the state that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price, there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a public school ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the long run.

From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a good foundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment that you will ever do in your life.

From 2 months to 3 years old:

Is what Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birth during the first three years of life when the child's intelligence is formed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which he or she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, social being and the essence of spiritual life are developed.

From 3 to 6 years old:

Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory ability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of the environment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child's self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areas of activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves and think with clarity.

Note: There are Montessori schools that will go up to High School.

2) Also check if the school is AMI (Association Montessori International) certified. AMI was founded by M. Montessori and they go to every school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that the Montessori standards are being held or check if the school is AMS (American Montessori Society) certified.

Unfortunately now a days you will find a lot of schools that will say they are Montessori and some can really have a good Montessori teaching curriculum (even though they are not affiliated) but if the school have the AMI or AMS is away to ensure that you should have in that school good quality in the Montessori methods.

3) Also look in several Montessori schools (not just one) and ask the teacher to show you the classroom and some of their teaching methodology. ( You need to get a good gut feeling that this is the right school for your kid, no matter if they are AMI or AMS certified). Make sure that you visit a school during a school session and see if the kids are happy and busy with their work and the environment is a peaceful and harmonic one .

4) Lastly check out this book and do a search in your favorite search engines for the names below under AMI or AMS web sites they have list of all the schools that are certified in your state.

Association Montessori Internationale

American Montessori Society

Good luck and I'm sure you will be seeing the results in your kid very soon.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE if you want to understand about Montessori Meth
Review: I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye opening
book about the Montessori schools and methods it really helped answer
all of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon is
now getting closer to his 2nd birthday and I see that unfortunately
the traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal and
academic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in the
country) and we checked several others just to make sure.

I always
heard about the Montessori schools and " how different "
their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, aware
their kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumors
about it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son current
school to a Montessori one.

This book is written very clear to
answer all those questions and the analysis that the author does
regarding the "myths" that other people create about the
Montessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is starting from
ground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.

After
reading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GA
after looking at more then 8, the author also gives you some
"hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (that
really helped alot).

My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to think
about moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following:

1)
Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to the
state that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price,
there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a public
school ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the long
run.

From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a good
foundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment that
you will ever do in your life.

From 2 months to 3 years old:

Is
what Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birth
during the first three years of life when the child's intelligence is
formed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which he
or she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, social
being and the essence of spiritual life are developed.

From 3 to 6
years old:

Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called
the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory
ability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of the
environment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child's
self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areas
of activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves and
think with clarity.

Note: There are Montessori schools that will go
up to High School.

2) Also check if the school is AMI (Association
Montessori International) founded my M. Montessori and they go to
every school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that the
Montessori standards are being held or AMS (American Montessori
Society). Unfortunately now a days you will find a lot of schools
that will say they are Montessori and some can really have a good
Montessori teaching curriculum (even though they are not affiliated)
but if the school have the AMI or AMS is away to ensure that you
should have on that school good quality in the Montessori
methods.

3) Also look in several Montessori schools (not just one)
and ask the teacher to show you the classroom and some of their
teaching methodology. ( You need to get a good gut feeling that this
is the right school for your kid, no matter if they are AMI or AMS
certified). Make sure that you visit a school during a school session
and see if the kids are happy and busy with their work and the
environment is a peaceful and harmonic one .

4) lastly check out
this book....


Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE if you want to understand about Montessori Meth
Review: I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye opening
book about the Montessori schools and methods it really helped answer
all of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon is
now getting closer to his 2nd birthday and I see that unfortunately
the traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal and
academic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in the
country) and we checked several others just to make sure.

I always
heard about the Montessori schools and " how different "
their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, aware
their kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumors
about it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son current
school to a Montessori one.

This book is written very clear to
answer all those questions and the analysis that the author does
regarding the "myths" that other people create about the
Montessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is starting from
ground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.

After
reading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GA
after looking at more then 8, the author also gives you some
"hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (that
really helped alot).

My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to think
about moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following:

1)
Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to the
state that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price,
there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a public
school ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the long
run.

From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a good
foundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment that
you will ever do in your life.

From 2 months to 3 years old:

Is
what Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birth
during the first three years of life when the child's intelligence is
formed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which he
or she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, social
being and the essence of spiritual life are developed.

From 3 to 6
years old:

Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called
the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory
ability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of the
environment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child's
self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areas
of activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves and
think with clarity.

Note: There are Montessori schools that will go
up to High School.

2) Also check if the school is AMI (Association
Montessori International) founded my M. Montessori and they go to
every school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that the
Montessori standards are being held or AMS (American Montessori
Society). Unfortunately now a days you will find a lot of schools
that will say they are Montessori and some can really have a good
Montessori teaching curriculum (even though they are not affiliated)
but if the school have the AMI or AMS is away to ensure that you
should have on that school good quality in the Montessori
methods.

3) Also look in several Montessori schools (not just one)
and ask the teacher to show you the classroom and some of their
teaching methodology. ( You need to get a good gut feeling that this
is the right school for your kid, no matter if they are AMI or AMS
certified). Make sure that you visit a school during a school session
and see if the kids are happy and busy with their work and the
environment is a peaceful and harmonic one .

4) lastly check out
this book....


Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE if you want to understand about Montessori Meth
Review: I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye openingbook about the Montessori schools and methods it really helped answerall of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon isnow getting closer to his 2nd birthday and I see that unfortunatelythe traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal andacademic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in thecountry) and we checked several others just to make sure.

I alwaysheard about the Montessori schools and " how different "their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, awaretheir kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumorsabout it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son currentschool to a Montessori one.

This book is written very clear toanswer all those questions and the analysis that the author doesregarding the "myths" that other people create about theMontessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is starting fromground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.

Afterreading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GAafter looking at more then 8, the author also gives you some"hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (thatreally helped alot).

My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to thinkabout moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following:

1)Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to thestate that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price,there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a publicschool ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the longrun.

From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a goodfoundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment thatyou will ever do in your life.

From 2 months to 3 years old:

Iswhat Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birthduring the first three years of life when the child's intelligence isformed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which heor she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, socialbeing and the essence of spiritual life are developed.

From 3 to 6years old:

Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori calledthe Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitoryability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of theenvironment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child'sself-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areasof activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves andthink with clarity.

Note: There are Montessori schools that will goup to High School.

2) Also check if the school is AMI (AssociationMontessori International) founded my M. Montessori and they go toevery school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that theMontessori standards are being held or AMS (American MontessoriSociety). Unfortunately now a days you will find a lot of schoolsthat will say they are Montessori and some can really have a goodMontessori teaching curriculum (even though they are not affiliated)but if the school have the AMI or AMS is away to ensure that youshould have on that school good quality in the Montessorimethods.

3) Also look in several Montessori schools (not just one)and ask the teacher to show you the classroom and some of theirteaching methodology. ( You need to get a good gut feeling that thisis the right school for your kid, no matter if they are AMI or AMScertified). Make sure that you visit a school during a school sessionand see if the kids are happy and busy with their work and theenvironment is a peaceful and harmonic one .

4) lastly check outthis book....

Rating:
Summary: Ends the Montessori Mystique
Review: If you are debating whether to put your child in a Montessori school or keep them there this a great book to purchase. Our daughter is now entering 2nd grade at a Montessori school, and I wish I had read this book sooner! It takes away the veil of educator mystque from around the method. Answer questions I hear from people who criticize the method, and gives a basis and a history for the Montessori method. It also talks about the whys and the where-fors that I never really got answered by the teachers. Well worth the investment.

Rating:
Summary: Balanced & insightful discussion of the M. method and issues
Review: The Montessori Controversy serves as a valuable introduction to both the Montessori method and the issues surrounding it, historically and to the present day. The author, himself a Montessori educator, gives a balanced account of Montessori's detractors and supporters and provides reasoned and enlightening answers to many common questions regarding the method. These questions, left unanswered by Montessori advocates and educators, have led to many misconceptions and myths about Montessori. While attempting to dispell these misconceptions, the author calls on Montessori advocates and educators to create a fair and common dialogue with education researchers and non-Montessori educators to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Montessori method. The author writes, "it is time for Montessori's ideas to be given their first real test. That will come about only as Montessorians realize that they must do more than teach their own classrooms, that they must docu! ment what they do and show whether or not it is effective. It will also require the mainstream of education to be willing to give Montessori a fair test. And both sides must approach this with open minds, a desire to communicate across different orientations and jargons, and an understanding that both groups have the best interests of the child at heart" (p.31). This book is valuable to both prospective and current Montessori parents, Montessori educators, and anyone else interested in exploring these important issues. The book is well written, insightful,and accessible to anyone, whatever their background or level of expertise in the field of education.

Rating:
Summary: a much needed resource
Review: This book explains things in a way that students, teachers, professionals, parents and opponents can benefit equally. It explains many controversial issues in an easy to understand fashion.