Abstract/Notes: This thesis is a transformative autoethnographic study of a Montessori early childhood educator’s observational notes and personal reflections throughout their master’s program as well as their Association Montessori International Diploma Course. This work is important for the field of early childhood education as it is a study of factors contributing to racial identity development in children under the age of three. Using Critical Race Theory and Critical whiteness Studies, the researcher analyzed collected data, in the form of field notes, memos, observational notes, and developmental summaries to contribute a formula for abolitionist and protective early childhood education practices.

Language: English

Published: Los Angeles, California, 2023

Abstract/Notes: Though 22 Pittsburgh schools saw their last day June 14, students, teachers and parents in at least two of them met the day with high expectations of a new beginning. This is largely because the programs, staff and students at Miller African Centered Academy and Home-wood Montessori will remain together.

Language: English

ISSN: 1047-806X

Abstract/Notes: Students who develop and apply their self-directed learning skills have advantages in school over those who do not (Betts & Knapp, 1981; Candy, 1991; Guglielmino, 1977; Schunk & Zimmerman, 2012). This is because self-directed learning (SDL) skills enable autonomous learning where students self-initiate, solve problems, develop new ideas, and monitor themselves with minimal external guidance (Knowles, 1976; Zimmerman, 2000). Despite the importance of these skills, research shows that few students consistently engage in SDL (Dent & Koenka, 2016; Zimmerman & Schunk, 2001). Because of SDL's multi-faceted and complex nature, it is difficult to discern why this is the case (Dent & Koenka, 2016; Zimmerman & Schunk, 2001). Multiple dynamic, interacting factors, including maturation, environmental supports, and historical events, likely contribute to students’ SDL development (Hoyle & Dent, 2017). As such, recent literature suggests that a relational dynamic systems (RDS) approach can help elucidate the dynamic, context-dependent patterns by which SDL skills unfold (Hoyle & Dent, 2017). According to RDS theories, development occurs within multi-level, interacting, relational systems; therefore, the bi-directional relationship between the person and their environment should be the unit of analysis (Lerner et al., 2011). This study aimed to provide a systematic investigation of the development of SDL skills, accounting for important contextual and developmental influences as well as individual pathways. Adolescence appears to be an optimal time for students to gain SDL skills (Brown, 1978; Brown et al., 1983); hence, this study focused on that developmental period. Also, because the Montessori educational approach is conducive to SDL skill development (Lillard, 2017; Rathunde, 2009, 2014), it was used as the school backdrop for this study. Furthermore, during data collection, a global pandemic caused by COVID-19 impacted school environments and was also included as a developmental context in this study. Specifically, this study utilized a longitudinal convergent mixed methods design to (1) identify patterns of SDL skill development across adolescence, (2) illustrate the reasons for those changes, and (3) illuminate the indirect effect of COVID-19 on students’ SDL. Emergent themes from student interviews conducted over four years augmented growth curve analysis results from an accelerated longitudinal design utilizing student surveys to address the research questions. Descriptive, correlational, multi-level model (MLM), and repeated-measures ANOVA analyses of student survey responses across four years (4 waves) of data collection with students grades 7 through 12 (n = 284) were applied to address the quantitative research questions. Emergent themes, derived through thematic analysis of 29 interviews, or 11 cases of students with a range of SDL skills (average, above average, and below average), addressed the qualitative research questions. Finally, quantitative results and qualitative findings were combined and compared to investigate convergence, divergence, and expansion areas that addressed integrative research questions. Findings shed important light on the development of adolescent students’ SDL skills across adolescence. Quantitative results and qualitative analyses were combined to address the research question: Do adolescent students’ SDL skills increase, decrease, or remain stable throughout middle school and high school? Findings resulted in areas of convergence and divergence across methods. Despite some diverging quantitative results, namely a non-significant growth model, other quantitative results, a non-significant no-growth model and descriptive plots, converged with qualitative findings from student interviews to suggest that within and between students, SDL skill development can include a combination of growth, decline, or stability over time. Findings from this study also suggest that each SDL skill can develop on its own timetable. Also, findings suggest a developmental pattern whereby SDL skills vary more in middle school than in high school. These findings have begun to disentangle contradictory results of earlier SDL research (e.g., Heater, 2005; Pajares & Valiante, 2002; Reio & Ward, 2005). From a practice perspective, the findings imply that it may benefit students to have tailored interventions that meet them where they are developmentally, considering each SDL skill individually and all together. The second integrative research question that was addressed in this study was: What roles do factors like grade level and the Montessori learning environment play in SDL development? Quantitative results and qualitative findings converged to suggest that students' SDL skills develop, at least in part, as a factor of the length of time a student has been immersed in the Montessori program. The findings also show that a student’s maturation may play a role in SDL skill development, especially when environmental contexts are supportive. In addition, qualitative interviews with students identified features of the Montessori program, such as open work time, scaffolded opportunities to be self-directed, autonomy support, and supportive teachers that aided students in their SDL development, which also aligns with the literature (Zumbrunn et al., 2011). This finding strengthens prior research, which found cursory evidence for how Montessori schools support the development of SDL skills (Ervin et al., 2010). In addition, quantitative results and qualitative findings diverged for the third overarching research question: Have changes in the learning environment associated with COVID-19 shaped the development of students’ SDL skills? If so, how? Although the quantitative results from this study failed to detect any indirect effects of the impact of COVID-19 on students’ SDL, qualitative findings found that changes in their learning environment as a result of COVID-19 impacted students’ SDL both negatively and positively. Research has also found that the global pandemic drastically impacted the school environment, so it is most likely that the quantitative measure failed to detect an effect (Huck & Zhang, 2021; Tarkar, 2020). Furthermore, in the interviews, most students reported a combination of negative experiences (e.g., more distractions at home, lowered motivation, fewer social interactions, higher stress, and missing in-school learning) as well as positive experiences (e.g., increased time management, access to resources, multi-tasking, organization, ability to shut out distractions, and time to sleep) that impacted their SDL abilities. Qualitative findings from this study extend prior research by providing student accounts of their experiences, including silver linings (Wilson et al., 2020). Despite its limitations, this study revealed important exploratory findings about how students’ SDL skills can develop across adolescence. Areas of convergence across qualitative and quantitative methodologies underscore the reliability of the study findings. There were also unique quantitative and qualitative findings that extend prior research and provide important implications for future research and practice.

Language: English

Published: Claremont, California, 2023

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori method is a method in the realm of child development education and is formulated based on Montessori theory. This method emphasizes the activities that are raised by the child by emphasizing the process of adapting the child's learning environment according to the stage of development. Mastery of reading skills in schools is one of the language competencies that must be taught. This study aims to describe how the Montessori method improves beginning reading skills in SD Negeri 1 Jatiwaringin students. This research method uses descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques in the form of oral, written test results, interviews and direct observation. The Montessori method seeks to help students develop cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities in students, by enabling children to learn according to their level of development.

Language: English

ISSN: 2808-8263, 2829-0976

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of handwork (defined as sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, etc.) on elementary aged children. Working with our hands provides opportunities to develop physical and mental skills and express creativity, and handwork allows us to be creative and productive. This study was conducted with a class of 22 students in first, second and third grade in a public Montessori school. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study found that within a Montessori elementary school setting, handwork can encourage students to expand on life skills, produce something tangible and practice relaxation, and overall has a beneficial effect on students.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2023

Abstract/Notes: In this article, we discuss new and effective ways of teaching that can improve students’ results. These plans usually aim to get students interested and involved. Students who are actively involved in their studies are less likely to miss class and more likely to do well in school.

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: In the 5 years since its inception, the group has focused on community service projects and educational awareness programs, regularly conducting environmental cleanup events both on and off campus-sometimes traveling to the local beach to pick up litter and other debris. Hailey Chaiken, a 14-year-old student at SQMS and an Environmental Committee member, described the group as "people that really have a passion for the environment and show that they care because they all work together to create change." Committee members plan to paint and decorate the bottles and often choose earthy themes like flowers and vegetables.

Language: English

ISSN: 10540040

Abstract/Notes: It is essential to interpret information, determine its veracity, and assess its significance in today's society. Children need not acquire more information to be successful in the modern world; instead, they must develop higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). This study aims to establish whether or not children with a Montessori background have higher levels of HOTS than students with a non-Montessori background. The study analyzes data from a competency-based test in English, mathematics and science conducted for 78 fourth-grade students. It was discovered that the Montessori-educated children performed better in English and Science. Yet the difference in mathematics, where Montessori students scored higher, did not achieve much statistical significance.

Language: English

DOI: 10.37118/ijdr.26209.01.2023

ISSN: 2230-9926

Abstract/Notes: Elementary students transferring from traditional education classrooms to a Montessori school lack executive function skills (EFS) and struggle with academic performance and disrupt classes. The specific problem is the lack of strategies and support from school administrators to address an overwhelming number of new elementary Montessori students needing EFS improvement. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore teachers' and school administrators' perceptions of strategies to support teachers regarding EFS development among new Montessori students in grades first through sixth in a single Southwestern Montessori school. The theoretical framework was primarily Vygotsky's social constructionism. The research question involved: What are teachers' and school administrators' perceptions regarding strategies used to support teachers in developing EFS among new Montessori students in grades first through sixth in a Southwestern Montessori school? The sample included four administrators, eight classroom teachers, and four student support teachers. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and 2 focus groups were employed: 1 for administrators, and a separate 1 for teachers/support personnel. Findings indicated the need for improved vetting of potential students during the admission process, additional classroom resources, and improvements to the parental education module. Future research is needed to explore the potential for an issue-based strategic planning model to foster collaboration between school administration and teachers.

Language: English

Published: Phoenix, Arizona, 2023

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori method in the learning process, which is based on the principle of the Montessori method that a child's education appears to coincide with the stages of the potential development of learners. The characteristic of the Montesssori method is to emphasize the activities that are raised by the children themselves which can stimulate students to learn actively in learning and can develop students' potential. In this study, researchers used qualitative methods using a case study approach, while the data collection techniques used were observation, interviews and documentation. In collecting data, researchers used the Spradly data analysis model. Data analysis was carried out. It was concluded that the Montessori method is also a method that can develop the potential of students, so it is necessary to introduce the Montessori method in more depth to educators at SD Tiga Bahasa Rukun Harapan, namely by application of understanding to educators regarding the Montessori method.

Language: Indonesian

DOI: 10.55962/metanoia.v5i1.85

ISSN: 2716-2885