How does a Montessori school help a struggling student?

[Anonymous]

My DC's Montessori elementary teacher scolded me for the traditional way I tutored my DC in math and reading this summer, saying that's not the way they teach in Montessori. It's the only way I know how to do it and it was totally necessary. My DC still is not up to grade level so we're still working on it at home. I was sharing this with the Montessori teacher and am open to learning the "Montessori way" but does it really matter? I'm more focused on fixing the problem then the teaching method.

I hope to get details from the teacher but does anyone have experience with helping their Montessori child?

[Anonymous]

That's weird. Montessori methods are very different from traditional methods, and I can't believe they expected you to know how to use Montessori methods. Have you talked to the director/directress of the school? I'd start there.

[Anonymous]

My child is in a traditional program, but at night, weekends and summer, I use a Montessori method (learned online), to help her. I actually like it, and it works quite well. It takes a TON of reading. I have a strong math background myself, but you have to change the way you think. I also had to invest in some materials which I should be able to resell.
Advice: ask the teacher EXACTLY what she/he wants you to do at home. Also, it does not hurt to add some traditional approaches for BASIC addition and subtraction.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s inappropriate that the teacher “scolded” you. It sounds like the Montessori school my kids attended of which we pulled out because of the teachers’ attitudes.

[Anonymous]

OP,
Just curious: What prompted the summer tutoring in the first place? What grade is DC entering?

Moving forward, why not meet with the teacher, ask for her assessment of DC's math skills and if needed create a home program, one where you work together with the teacher if the teacher thinks that's necessary. If DC's teacher thinks it matters, it matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,
Just curious: What prompted the summer tutoring in the first place? What grade is DC entering?

DC started saying things like "I'm not good at math. Everyone is smarter than me. I'm not good at school." Also, really struggling with learning to tell time and very basic addition. At the same time theprevious teacher said some vague things like "try doing some math and spelling together for extra practice." Of course no grades are given so I didn't have a clear indicator of the situation.

DC just started third grade. Been working on 1st grade addition (and reading/spelling) all summer. Making progress.

I do plan to meet with the Montessori teacher to see what she thinks is best. But I'm beginning to think that Montessori may be better for gifted kids than for kids who need extra help/instruction.

[Anonymous]

Be careful that some Montessori teachers like to label children. This happened to my friend's child when a teacher said the child could not learn.