I'm a DC Montessorian. AMA.

[Anonymous]

Having worked, taught, and observed in some of the best and the worst programs in the city, I figured I'd take a stab at letting parents ask me some questions to clear up any misconceptions.

[Anonymous]

My child's Montessori classroom has way too many kids, almost 30. I am not persuaded that a large class is somehow the "Montessori way." What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child's Montessori classroom has way too many kids, almost 30. I am not persuaded that a large class is somehow the "Montessori way." What do you think?

If the teacher and the assistant are good at what they do, then there should be no issue. It's absolutely the Montessori way- Maria Montessori had an even larger class, on her own, and the national AMI standard is to have around that number.

That all being said, if you sense chaos and disorder in the classroom, well. That's a faulty staff, right there. Is your child's school accredited?

[Anonymous]

What do you think about Lee Montessori? Does it seem promising? What is some advice you would have for a Montessori school starting out? What should families expect in the first year?

Also, how would a public Montessori school reconcile meeting the criteria for BOTH AMI Montessori (getting certification) and the public school system in DC? What about testing?

[Anonymous]

How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think about Lee Montessori? Does it seem promising? What is some advice you would have for a Montessori school starting out? What should families expect in the first year?

Also, how would a public Montessori school reconcile meeting the criteria for BOTH AMI Montessori (getting certification) and the public school system in DC? What about testing?

While I do not know the Lee faculty personally, they seem to really have it together. Their criteria for hiring, from what I saw, was top notch. They only called for AMI certified teachers, which, as you probably know, is the longest and most involved teacher training. I'm sure there will be plenty of hiccups, but nothing out of the ordinary. Lots of team building with the parent and teacher community should make it a lovely first year. I'm also a HUGH supporter of free and accessible Montessori for all. I have a lot of issues with corporate Montessori.

I'm not entirely sure a public school would be able to get the AMI certification given the legal/public requirements required by DC- but I can figure that one out. Yes, children in public Montessori need to take the same tests, but it isn't held over their heads for the entire year like in a traditional setting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

If a student is using the pink tower as a spaceship for a few moments and I overhear it, so long as he is using the material in a way that supports its purpose, I would never interrupt. When the spaceship crashes and flies out of orbit, however, there's an issue.

9/10, I see students much more compelled to use materials as intended, and do the chores around the classroom that one might do in home. They take ownership of the space!

I've been told I make a good dinosaur... on the playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's Montessori classroom has way too many kids, almost 30. I am not persuaded that a large class is somehow the "Montessori way." What do you think?

If the teacher and the assistant are good at what they do, then there should be no issue. It's absolutely the Montessori way- Maria Montessori had an even larger class, on her own, and the national AMI standard is to have around that number.

That all being said, if you sense chaos and disorder in the classroom, well. That's a faulty staff, right there. Is your child's school accredited?

It's Franklin Montessori. I think the classroom is not chaotic but I think with that many kids, the teacher and assistants miss a lot. My child can go days/weeks without getting a "lesson" (let alone from an older child, which I think has never happened).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

If a student is using the pink tower as a spaceship for a few moments and I overhear it, so long as he is using the material in a way that supports its purpose, I would never interrupt. When the spaceship crashes and flies out of orbit, however, there's an issue.

9/10, I see students much more compelled to use materials as intended, and do the chores around the classroom that one might do in home. They take ownership of the space!

I've been told I make a good dinosaur... on the playground.

This sums up right here why I turned down my Montessori slot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

If a student is using the pink tower as a spaceship for a few moments and I overhear it, so long as he is using the material in a way that supports its purpose, I would never interrupt. When the spaceship crashes and flies out of orbit, however, there's an issue.

9/10, I see students much more compelled to use materials as intended, and do the chores around the classroom that one might do in home. They take ownership of the space!

I've been told I make a good dinosaur... on the playground.

This sums up right here why I turned down my Montessori slot.

Good. If you don't like it, neither of us need to deal with one another, now do we?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's Montessori classroom has way too many kids, almost 30. I am not persuaded that a large class is somehow the "Montessori way." What do you think?

If the teacher and the assistant are good at what they do, then there should be no issue. It's absolutely the Montessori way- Maria Montessori had an even larger class, on her own, and the national AMI standard is to have around that number.

That all being said, if you sense chaos and disorder in the classroom, well. That's a faulty staff, right there. Is your child's school accredited?

It's Franklin Montessori. I think the classroom is not chaotic but I think with that many kids, the teacher and assistants miss a lot. My child can go days/weeks without getting a "lesson" (let alone from an older child, which I think has never happened).

Franklin is a nice space, isn't it?

They operate as an AMS school, so I'm less familiar with their expectations. It's an issue if teachers are missing lots happening in the room- there should be constant observation. Remember too that most of the materials have uses that develop and become more challenging throughout the year! I do hope that's the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

If a student is using the pink tower as a spaceship for a few moments and I overhear it, so long as he is using the material in a way that supports its purpose, I would never interrupt. When the spaceship crashes and flies out of orbit, however, there's an issue.

9/10, I see students much more compelled to use materials as intended, and do the chores around the classroom that one might do in home. They take ownership of the space!

I've been told I make a good dinosaur... on the playground.

This sums up right here why I turned down my Montessori slot.

Good. If you don't like it, neither of us need to deal with one another, now do we?

That doesn't sound like grace to me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about imaginative/fantasy play?

If a student is using the pink tower as a spaceship for a few moments and I overhear it, so long as he is using the material in a way that supports its purpose, I would never interrupt. When the spaceship crashes and flies out of orbit, however, there's an issue.

9/10, I see students much more compelled to use materials as intended, and do the chores around the classroom that one might do in home. They take ownership of the space!

I've been told I make a good dinosaur... on the playground.

This sums up right here why I turned down my Montessori slot.

Good. If you don't like it, neither of us need to deal with one another, now do we?

That doesn't sound like grace to me

NICELY done. Props are due!

Continuing on...

[Anonymous]

How does Montessori work in the elementary and middle school grades? What children do best in this environment (beyond primary classrooms)? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What are your thoughts on transitioning from Montessori to public. My child attends a Montessori in Maryland and will be transitioning to public grade 1. My colleague and work said it will be a hard adjustment for my child.