Montesori Controversy

By John Chattin McNichols and John Chattin-McNichols

Book Overview

In this text information is provided on Montessori philosophy and teaching practices, including curriculum materials. Recent research on the effects of the Montessori school experience is also... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827345178
• ISBN13: 9780827345171
• Release Date: September 1991
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Ends the Montessori Mystique

If you are debating whether to put your child in a Montessori school or keep them there this a great book to purchase. Our daughter is now entering 2nd grade at a Montessori school, and I wish I had read this book sooner! It takes away the veil of educator mystque from around the method. Answer questions I hear from people who criticize the method, and gives a basis and a history for the Montessori method. It also talks about the whys and the where-fors that I never really got answered by the teachers. Well worth the investment.

A MUST HAVE if you want to understand the Montessori world

I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye opening book about the Montessori schools and methods, it really helped answer all of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon is now getting closer to his 2nd birthday. And unfortunately I see that the traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal and academic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in the country) and we had checked with several others just to make sure. I always heard about the Montessori schools and " how different " their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, aware their kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumors about it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son current school to a Montessori one. This book is written very clear to answer all those questions and the analysis that the author does regarding the "myths" that other people create about the Montessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is just starting from ground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.After reading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GA after looking at more then 8. The author also gives you some "hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (that really helped alot). My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to think about moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following: 1) Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to the state that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price, there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a public school ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the long run. From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a good foundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment that you will ever do in your life.From 2 months to 3 years old:Is what Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birth during the first three years of life when the child's intelligence is formed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which he or she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, social being and the essence of spiritual life are developed. From 3 to 6 years old:Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory ability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of the environment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child's self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areas of activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves and think with clarity.Note: There are Montessori schools that will go up to High School.2) Also check if the school is AMI (Association Montessori International) certified. AMI was founded by M. Montessori and they go to every school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that the Montessori standards are being held or check if the school is AMS (American Montessori Societ

A MUST HAVE if you want to understand about Montessori Meth

I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye openingbook about the Montessori schools and methods it really helped answerall of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon isnow getting closer to his 2nd birthday and I see that unfortunatelythe traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal andacademic growth. (trust me, he used to go to one of the best in thecountry) and we checked several others just to make sure. I alwaysheard about the Montessori schools and " how different "their teaching is and how more secure, self-confident, smart, awaretheir kids usually come out. But I also always heard the bad rumorsabout it. So I decided to investigate before changing my son currentschool to a Montessori one. This book is written very clear toanswer all those questions and the analysis that the author doesregarding the "myths" that other people create about theMontessori methods, makes it very clear to anyone who is starting fromground zero to understand more about the Montessori world.Afterreading the book, I finally found a great Montessori school here in GAafter looking at more then 8, the author also gives you some"hints" in what to look for when visiting a school. (thatreally helped alot). My 2 CENTS for anyone who is starting to thinkabout moving your kid to a Montessori school are the following: 1)Even though you will be paying a little bit more (according to thestate that you are in it could have some exceptions regarding price,there are few states that have Montessori method teaching in a publicschool ) then a good day care, it will be worth it in the longrun. From 0 to 6 years old are the crucial ages to plant a goodfoundation in your kid. This maybe the most important investment thatyou will ever do in your life.From 2 months to 3 years old:Iswhat Montessori called: A second embryonic period occurs after birthduring the first three years of life when the child's intelligence isformed, when the child acquires the culture and language into which heor she is born. It is a period when the core of personality, socialbeing and the essence of spiritual life are developed. From 3 to 6years old:Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori calledthe Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitoryability to absorb all aspects physical, mental, spiritual of theenvironment, without effort or fatigue. As an aid to the child'sself-construction, individual work is encouraged. The following areasof activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves andthink with clarity.Note: There are Montessori schools that will goup to High School.2) Also check if the school is AMI (AssociationMontessori International) founded my M. Montessori and they go toevery school that is affiliated every few years to ensure that theMontessori standards are being held or AMS (American MontessoriSociety). Unfortunately now a days you will find a lot of schoolsthat will say they are Montessori and so

It was wonderful. Packed full of information.

I ordered this book for a research paper and it helped me tremendously. I believe it is the most up-to-date book I have read yet. The book is a very descriptive account of both the pros and the cons of Montessori.

Balanced & insightful discussion of the M. method and issues

The Montessori Controversy serves as a valuable introduction to both the Montessori method and the issues surrounding it, historically and to the present day. The author, himself a Montessori educator, gives a balanced account of Montessori's detractors and supporters and provides reasoned and enlightening answers to many common questions regarding the method. These questions, left unanswered by Montessori advocates and educators, have led to many misconceptions and myths about Montessori. While attempting to dispell these misconceptions, the author calls on Montessori advocates and educators to create a fair and common dialogue with education researchers and non-Montessori educators to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Montessori method. The author writes, "it is time for Montessori's ideas to be given their first real test. That will come about only as Montessorians realize that they must do more than teach their own classrooms, that they must docu! ment what they do and show whether or not it is effective. It will also require the mainstream of education to be willing to give Montessori a fair test. And both sides must approach this with open minds, a desire to communicate across different orientations and jargons, and an understanding that both groups have the best interests of the child at heart" (p.31). This book is valuable to both prospective and current Montessori parents, Montessori educators, and anyone else interested in exploring these important issues. The book is well written, insightful,and accessible to anyone, whatever their background or level of expertise in the field of education.