Montessori Today : A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood

Rating:
Summary: Not at all accurate
Review: As a graduate student Of Montessori education at Xavier University, I have had to read MANY books by and about Maria Montessori. Lillard's book is the worst of them. It oversimplifies the Montessori Method and is incorrect in its information. Her books are so inaccurate, we are not to use them as a reference in any paper we write. Many people like to use her books to get an understanding of the Montessori Method because they are so easy to read. However, if you want accurate information, read a book by Maria Montessori. True, her books are difficult to read, but it is worth it for anyone who wants to REALLY learn about her method.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Fabulous book explaining Montessori (especially Elementary level--the only book to do so in clear
terms. Excellent for parents considering Montessori
elementary.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource for Parents
Review: I must respectfully but vehemently disagree with "A Reader" who said that this book was inaccurate. I am a Montessori directress with a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale - the international organization founded by Dr. Montessori - and a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola College in Baltimore. In fact, my trainer was trained by Dr. Montessori herself. I have ten years' experience teaching in Montessori primary classrooms. I have found all of Ms. Lillard's books to be quite accurate. She does an excellent job of taking the great volumes written by Dr. Montessori and distilling them down to the points that are important for parents to understand. She presents things in very straightforward terms. For those of us who have devoted our lives to studying Montessori principles in depth, some of the points may seem to be "oversimplified" but they are most certainly not innacurate. These books are meant to be a resource for parents, not for Montessorians in training. I recommend her books over and over for parents who want to learn more about Montessori education.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book was extremely informative on what you should expect from your montessori school for your children over age 6 (it also described before age 6 but there are many books on the 3-6 age group for Montessori). I have found it very difficult(until this book) to find out what the montessori education has to offer over traditional education after age six. Boy was I blown over at the difference between the Montessori theory/practice over the traditional form of schooling. It seems almost cruel to ever put your child in traditional public schools that still teach children to take a submissive role. I urge everyone to please read this book. Learn about the Five Major Lessons and the positive,cooperative, interactive approach to education/life.

Rating:
Summary: Great for the average person.
Review: Three years ago - I was scrambling for alternatives to public schools and I NEEDED to know what a Montessori shool was all about. I read Maria Montessori's book and that explained her goals and her methods in a highly abstract manner - it left me at a loss of how a Montessori class was conducted, how it operated day-to-day. In other words, I understood the theory, but I could not visualize the application.

This book explained the practical application should look like - ie:
1. what a Montessori class should look like when you're observing.
2. What/How your child will be guided on a day-to-day basis.
3. How to track his or her progress in the absence of a report card, etc.