Comments on: The Purpose of School http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html High Quality Montessori Materials Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:36:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Lori Bourne http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2026 Lori Bourne Sat, 09 May 2009 19:27:41 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2026 Hi, Jennifer! It does sound like you're in a difficult situation. I am so glad you are able to bring at least some Montessori materials into your classroom. Even more than the materials, you have a chance to bring the philosophy of Montessori in and help the kids overcome their fears. What a big challenge! The kids are lucky to have a teacher like you. I'm guessing that even if you don't see much change in them by the end of the year, the things that you say and do, and the materials you show them, will stay with them for a lifetime. Hi, Jennifer! It does sound like you’re in a difficult situation. I am so glad you are able to bring at least some Montessori materials into your classroom.

Even more than the materials, you have a chance to bring the philosophy of Montessori in and help the kids overcome their fears. What a big challenge!

The kids are lucky to have a teacher like you. I’m guessing that even if you don’t see much change in them by the end of the year, the things that you say and do, and the materials you show them, will stay with them for a lifetime.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2025 Jennifer Sat, 09 May 2009 19:24:11 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2025 Hi Lori, I am a Grade 3 teacher at a public school in Northern Quebec. I have been trying to bring Montessori materials into my classroom this past year to enhance student learning, as many are discouraged, unwilling to try and are so dependent on the teacher, they are paralyzed with a fear to explore on their own. Reading levels are so behind the average school (and my previous Montessori class from another school) it is almost appalling. I really wish the public system would change some of their methods, teaching styles and use of curriculum. Until my administrator tells me otherwise, I am going to use many of the Montessori material and teaching methods that I've experienced in the past. Thank you for many of the resources found on your site. I am isolated, so much of this material is difficult to access. Jennifer Hi Lori,
I am a Grade 3 teacher at a public school in Northern Quebec. I have been trying to bring Montessori materials into my classroom this past year to enhance student learning, as many are discouraged, unwilling to try and are so dependent on the teacher, they are paralyzed with a fear to explore on their own. Reading levels are so behind the average school (and my previous Montessori class from another school) it is almost appalling. I really wish the public system would change some of their methods, teaching styles and use of curriculum. Until my administrator tells me otherwise, I am going to use many of the Montessori material and teaching methods that I’ve experienced in the past. Thank you for many of the resources found on your site. I am isolated, so much of this material is difficult to access.
Jennifer

]]> By: Lori Bourne http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2017 Lori Bourne Mon, 04 May 2009 04:27:19 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2017 Hi, Aimee! I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. That does happen, unfortunately. Not all Montessori schools are as great as they should be. Supplementing your son's education with additional materials is a fantastic idea; it sounds like you are doing a great job in making sure he will truly love learning. Hi, Aimee! I’m sorry you’ve had a bad experience. That does happen, unfortunately. Not all Montessori schools are as great as they should be. Supplementing your son’s education with additional materials is a fantastic idea; it sounds like you are doing a great job in making sure he will truly love learning.

]]> By: Aimee Wilson http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2012 Aimee Wilson Mon, 04 May 2009 01:11:42 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2012 Lori, Thank you for your website and your insight into the Montessori educational model. Due to your website and free resources, I've come to believe the Montessori education offers lots of advantages over traditional education. However, the experiences with our current Montessori school has been disappointing and further jaded my view of education. I'm seeking another school setting for my son as homeschooling is not an option. I will continue to supplement my son's educational experiences with materials that satisfy his natural curiosity and intelligence, including your materials. I also plan to read The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher you mentioned in your post. Savor life's best, Aimee Lori,

Thank you for your website and your insight into the Montessori educational model. Due to your website and free resources, I’ve come to believe the Montessori education offers lots of advantages over traditional education. However, the experiences with our current Montessori school has been disappointing and further jaded my view of education. I’m seeking another school setting for my son as homeschooling is not an option. I will continue to supplement my son’s educational experiences with materials that satisfy his natural curiosity and intelligence, including your materials. I also plan to read The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher you mentioned in your post.

Savor life’s best,
Aimee

]]> By: Lori Bourne http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2009 Lori Bourne Sun, 03 May 2009 14:43:16 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2009 Hi, Ines! You are correct in that many parents realize the limitations of traditional education but feel a little scared to move beyond it. I just spoke to someone the other day who wants to homeschool but their friends and family are telling them not to. Same with sending your child to a Montessori school - friends and relatives may constantly question your decision. One reason why I say "traditional school" in this post instead of "public school" is because the number of public Montessori schools and alternative charter schools is growing. In those cases, it makes it much easier for parents to try out different forms of education. Thanks for stopping by! Hi, Ines! You are correct in that many parents realize the limitations of traditional education but feel a little scared to move beyond it.

I just spoke to someone the other day who wants to homeschool but their friends and family are telling them not to. Same with sending your child to a Montessori school – friends and relatives may constantly question your decision.

One reason why I say “traditional school” in this post instead of “public school” is because the number of public Montessori schools and alternative charter schools is growing. In those cases, it makes it much easier for parents to try out different forms of education.

Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Ines http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2008 Ines Sat, 02 May 2009 18:34:28 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2008 I completely agree with this post. I believe it's how I found Montessori. I was that child in the class waiting....for more. Then , insulted when I tried. I think Gatto's deschooling or unschooling is very powerful. I've explained to parents in the classroom that adults are not not the BE ALL or IS ALL to learning. I know alot of families feel this way...but feel stuck . There are charter schools that can stray away from complete traditional learning. But famililes do have to find what work's for them. I always say ...If you can homeschool, you should. Thanks Lori for your wonderful post & materials for us who want to create a learning environment. Not push it onto children. I completely agree with this post. I believe it’s how I found Montessori. I was that child in the class waiting….for more. Then , insulted when I tried. I think Gatto’s deschooling or unschooling is very powerful. I’ve explained to parents in the classroom that adults are not not the BE ALL or IS ALL to learning. I know alot of families feel this way…but feel stuck . There are charter schools that can stray away from complete traditional learning. But famililes do have to find what work’s for them. I always say …If you can homeschool, you should. Thanks Lori for your wonderful post & materials for us who want to create a learning environment. Not push it onto children.

]]> By: Lori Bourne http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2006 Lori Bourne Sat, 02 May 2009 13:56:56 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2006 Those are interesting observations, Dee. I remember a lot of that from my childhood school experiences, but sometimes I wonder if I'm remembering things more negatively than they actually were. Unfortunately, I don't think I am. Thank you for sharing! Those are interesting observations, Dee. I remember a lot of that from my childhood school experiences, but sometimes I wonder if I’m remembering things more negatively than they actually were. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am.

Thank you for sharing!

]]> By: Dee http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-purpose-of-school.html/comment-page-1#comment-2005 Dee Sat, 02 May 2009 02:12:58 +0000 http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/?p=2232#comment-2005 I just subbed at our local public school for the first time in several years. It really made me miss my Montessori classroom. (which I have been out of for about 3 years, as a stay at home mom). I was amazed at how broken up the day was, and struggled with having students who finished worksheets early, or didn't finish in the allotted time. It was frustrating, inefficient, and definitely would not foster a love of learning. I just subbed at our local public school for the first time in several years. It really made me miss my Montessori classroom. (which I have been out of for about 3 years, as a stay at home mom). I was amazed at how broken up the day was, and struggled with having students who finished worksheets early, or didn’t finish in the allotted time. It was frustrating, inefficient, and definitely would not foster a love of learning.

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