Wanting to Learn About Montessori .. and Possibly Using It for Grade School.

I read Dr. Montessori's book and I loved the philosophy behind the method. The book warns though that a lot of school's call themselves Montessori but they do not adhere to the principles.
A friend of mine had her daughter in Montessori school from 1st - 6th grade. She ended up moving and using the public school. There were huge gaps in her education. The school tested her for learning disabilities. Turns out she is of average intelligence but she simply wasn't taught the material she should have been taught. My friend was sick about it especially knowing the financial sacrifice that was made putting her daughter in that school.
I recommend you do your homework on the particular school you are considering.

One of my cousins (now 28 years old) went to Montessori schools from preschool through 8th grade, and then public high schools. I don't know much about the curriculum, so my observation is limited to my cousin's experience. Anyway, he didn't learn to read until later in grade school (5th grade or so) - evidently he "didn't show an interest," and so he wasn't made to learn how to read until then. Likewise, his math skills are (to this day) nonexistent. His grammar and spelling are atrocious. He nearly flunked out of high school, and in fact was tested for every learning disability under the sun, because the high school couldn't believe any kid could have attended school for so long and learned so little. It turned out he has no learning disabilities, just a poor education. He did not even apply to college. He works as an artist (painter) and party promoter, and seems to do okay financially (he isn't homeless, but doesn't own a car). However, I believe his choices in life have been stunted by the fact that HE was allowed to decide what he would and would not learn as a young child, rather than having a set curriculum that all the children learned at once in a certain grade level. I agree children should be able to pursue subjects that are of interest to them, however the core subjects (reading, spelling, math, social studies) should be required.

I don't know - maybe the Montessori school he went to was just really terrible, and this isn't how they're supposed to be at all - but my cousin, an otherwise intelligent person, has struggled to overcome his preschool through 8th grade education (or lack thereof).

I will tell you what my son's third grade teacher told me years ago. There was a girl who had come from K-2 Montessori in her class. I was volunteering, and she asked me to work with her. She was a really smart girl, and I wondered why she needed help. Surely the Montessori school wasn't behind the public school?

The teacher explained that Montessori's approach allowed time to work on their chosen study. The public school expects kids to finish their work a lot more quickly. It took her a good while to learn how to manage her work load.

So, if you choose Montessori for elementary, keep in mind that the transition to regular school might be pretty hard.

Dawn

Start with the American Montessori or International Montessori training. I think that if you get a not-great school you can end up with kids that have gaps in their education, as below. However, the method, when used properly, introduces less-favored areas of education using areas that the child enjoys. Done correctly, you end up with a kid who is really interested in learning, and very self-motivated to go farther than a kid in a normal school.

I think that it is not for everyone, and many schools are not good. It can be fabulous with the right school and right kid. However, at least in our daycare, a child who is "disruptive" (bothering other kids while they are trying to concentrate) gets in trouble. Again, depends on the school.

The one thing that I think Montessori does poorly at higher levels is not academic, but social. Every adult I've met who I know has gone through a full Montessori school experience has some level of socialization issues. I can't say it is the school, and my sample size is small, but it is something I've noticed. I think it has something to do with the "you get to go at your own pace, and don't need to talk to anyone else" part of the philosophy.

The purpose of montessori is to allow children to develop their own desire to learn with confidence and independence. Hopefully creating a life time love of learning. The book "Montessori Madness" is a (biased) opinion about why the theory works but is a good intro. to the concept (but again it's geared toward encouraging montessori so it won't give you a balanced view).

I'm interested in the comments below about kids being behind when they stayed in montessori thru grade school. my son is only in preschool but he's light years ahead of most of the other 4 year olds we play with in terms of counting, reading and writing. i'm sure it depends on the child and the school but you should start with organizations like American Montessori Association and observing/interviewing schools in your area especially in regards to what they expect of their students or if they are required to meet certain criteria by the state.

Hi- I just had to chime in. My daughter went to Montessori for Pre-K & 1/2 of Kinder. I will have to admit it was a big shock to her system to go to Public School. She was way ahead of her classmates and had trouble getting the working together concept because she was so used to working independently. If we could we would have left her in Montessori but she really wanted to try public school and she is happy there.
Montessori is not for every child but if it is a good fit for yours then she will flourish. Some of my daughters friends are reading at the 3rd grade level and they are just entering 1st grade. Their reading, writing and math skills are way ahead of schedule.
I live in the Allen area as well. I believe Starcreek Montessori right off of 121 & Watters area goes to 6th grade. My daughter went to Watters Montessori on Watters & Bossy Boots but it only goes through 3rd grade.
Go visit the schools and ask the directors for parent referrals so that you can talk to parents that actually send their grade age children to Montessori. I will have to say your child will NOT be more loved than they love them at the montessori school. The teachers we have been exposed to just embrace the children 100% Good Luck!