Any good books about Montessori Education?

Prajnamom · 07-03-2006, 03:50 PM

Can anyone reccomend a good book that describes the Montessori approach to teaching? I've found a few books on the subject but they seem to focus on the history and theory of montessori. I'd like a book that describes the materials that are used and how the children are taught. Any suggestions?

Lillianna · 07-03-2006, 05:33 PM

Hi!
I would suggest The Montessori Method or Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook both by Maria Montessori. These two books cover more about the materials and less about the philosophy. Alternatively, Secret to Childhood, Discovery of the Child and The Absorbent Mind (all by Montessori) delve deeper into the theory.

Prajnamom · 07-04-2006, 12:21 PM

Thanks! I'll give them a try.

ochoco · 07-27-2006, 01:46 PM

Hi,

I second Lillianna's suggestions, and would also add 'A Parents Guide to the Montessori Classroom' by Aline D. Wolf for a relatively brief but fairly thorough overview (with photos, which I always like). It actually goes through every part of the Primary classroom and discusses what and why. The Michael Olaf catalogs also have really good information - www.michaelolaf.net.

I absolutely love Montessori's works - The Secret of Childhood actually brought me to tears - but they also require real time to sit and digest, I find. Perhaps it's the translations, perhaps it's just when they were written, but when you're first learning about M., I think the books can be a bit intimidating. I found that once I got where she was going, her passion drew me in, and that was that!

Anyway, just some other ideas. (Just so you know where I'm coming from - I'm AMI-trained for ages 3-6).

Lillianna · 07-30-2006, 09:57 PM

Hi Ochoco! I also love Secret to Cldhd...in it, Maria Montessori demonstrates her understanding of child psychological and physical development in such poetic terms (IMO). What I really love about her writing is her ability to demonstrate concepts with the anecdotes that bring the concept down to reality. She also demonstrates clearly that she is an advocate for the child taking a more central place in society. It is true that at her time, this was hardly the norm. Although alot has changed, in general, we (as a society) still have alot of preconceived notions about child behavior and not alot of awareness of their true needs, especially order and movement. I love the sections on "Psychic Deviations" and "The Instinct to Work".
Welcome to the forum! I also have 3-6 AMI cert. (OMTI 97). It was a great experience. I worked as an assistant in a little school in our neighborhood before going into training and was (still am) fascinated by Dr. M's concepts. I have seen the full 6 year cycle and directed 4 of them (All-day class). After I gave birth to my darling daughter (I worked right up to the birth-day), I have been working as the assistant. It's given me a different perspective. I hope to go back to Directing or maybe setting up my own Children's House in the not too distant future.
PrajnamomAs far as books go, I also thought I should suggest Montessori: The Science Behind The Genius. This recently published book (2005) does a good job explaining the comprehensive nature of the materials and the approach in teaching. It is so over the top in it's recommendation of the Montessori philosophy. As far as I'm concerned, Angeline Lillard is a genius too. She demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of Montessori's theories and of contemporary child psych. research. She has a knack for drawing parallels and explaining complex behavioral paradigms. She compliments the dry research analysis with illustrations of Montessori's genius: her materials. Everyone interested in Montessori education should read this book.

ksmeadowlark · 08-01-2006, 10:52 AM

I was also going to suggest Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs...+of+montessori

I have not read it yet myself, but my best friend has been a Montessori teacher and says it is the book she has been waiting for and recommends it to all parents considering Montessori education.

ochoco · 08-01-2006, 05:23 PM

(Slight hijack)

Lillianna, did you train with Joen Bettman? I'm not sure if she was a trainer yet in '97, but I know she was affiliated with OMTI. I did my training at MINW, and she was the trainer for the first half of the year while the usual trainer was in Australia. LOVED her; she is one of those who really get it.

I have only taught at a "Montessomething" school - there was no other option in our town - and then moved to an area with no M. schools at all. I now have a 7-month-old, and am hoping to figure something out for him by the time he is ready for school. I'm not sure I'm the type to take on opening a school, and I'm still trying to decide whether I want to go Montessomething, or just forget it, have him go to a daycare for playtime and then introduce some lessons at home. We are doing Montessori at home, and I've been reading the older baby M. thread with interest.

OK, sorry for the hijack!

Lillianna · 08-02-2006, 05:49 PM

Hi ochoco!
Yes, Joen was my trainer. She is extremely thorough. A great inspiration. It was alot of hard work, but well worth it.
What is "montessomething"?
It's too bad there are no other schools near your home. I have been an assistant since my dd was born, so I could work part time. Now I am interested in going back to Directing the class, but there are no positions available here right now. I am considering moving. There are alot of job postings on the AMI website (CA, GA, IL, NY, NC, FL...)
Who was your trainer?

ochoco · 08-03-2006, 06:00 PM

"Montessomething" is a snarky name our training class got somewhere - basically just one of those preschool/daycares that calls itself Montessori but isn't. I deluded myself into thinking it would be OK because at least we'd all have the right mindset, but it was awful. I remember the owner/head teacher yelling at one of the little girls for talking too much - the look on that little girl's face was heartbreaking. Oh, and getting mad at three-year-olds because they couldn't sit still for a thirty minute circle time. Yuck. From there, I have the feeling that if it's not really Montessori, than perhaps it's just better to go to a playtime daycare - at least there, the children aren't likely to be pressured into being quiet (like good little Montessori chlidren), and the adults won't be writing up notes on their progress so we can show their parents how well trained they are.

Sigh. Sorry, I'm a little bitter!

We had a weird training year - we had Joen for Practical Life, and she was perfect for that. We had Shannon Helfrich for the rest, and some fabulous lectures by Ginni Sackett, who is now the head trainer at MINW. At the time it was a little hard to have three people with such different styles, but now I appreciate learning about Montessori from three different perspectives.

We live south of Portland, and if we move again it will probably be up there - they have a great M. community.