Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 0002-726X, 1543-0375

Abstract/Notes: Schoggen's description of environmental force units (EFU), actions or constraints upon a child, was the focus of this study. Since those EFU's under investigation conflicted with the child's immediate intentions and desires, they are referred to as conflict EFU's. The study asks how specific characteristics of preschool settings affect the natural occurrence of environmental constraints and children's adaptations to them. A Montessori class, a University Nursery School and two Head Start classes comprised the observed settings. The classification scheme devised by Wolfson and Jackson was used to describe conflictual situations. Fourteen modes of adaption are discussed. Several variables were studied and the findings are extensively presented. The author concludes that despite the high occurrance of conflict EFU in the school environments studied, behavioral changes are effected gradually and temperately, which is in agreement with previous studies done by Fawls (1963) and Schoggen (1963). [Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 2-6, 1970]

Language: English

Published: Washington, D.C., Mar 1970

Language: English

ISSN: 0362-4331

Abstract/Notes: This study describes and evalutes the first year of a bilingual Montessori early childhood program implemented at two sites in central Texas. In-depth descriptions are provided of two program components--oral language development and classroom management. Hypotheses related to changes in students' language proficiency and classroom behavior were tested, using the James Language Dominance Test to measure comprehension and production of Spanish and English, and the Coping Analysis Schedule for Educational Settings to assess changes in students' behavior. The description of the oral language development component of the program includes instructional activities for vocabulary enrichment, isolating the sounds of language, and clarifying the functions of words. Adaptations of the Montessori method for implementation in a bilingual setting are presented, along with the discussion of two unexpected findings--the inhibition of the use of Spanish by many Mexican American children, and the association of one language or the other with a particular set of materials. The description of the classroom management component of the program includes the preparation of the environment, observation and record-keeping practices, the basic techniques for presenting materials, and "grace and courtesy lessons." Maria Montessori's views on the nature of education, the role of the teacher, and the concept of discipline and behavior change are discussed and compared to more modern theorists. The results of the formative evaluation reveal that children made significant improvements in English and Spanish comprehension and production. Behavior changes observed included positive shifts in percentage of time spent in self-directed activity, in paying attention to the task at hand, and in positive social interaction. The results of the study are basically descriptive, since only the children in this program were tested and observed. The results indicate that the program goals for the first year were met, and point to a number of possible changes for program improvement, including the use of more Spanish, the recruitment of more Spanish-dominant students, the development of separate sets of materials for Spanish and English instruction, and the sharing by teachers of their particular classroom management strategies.

Language: English

Published: Austin, Texas, 1980

Abstract/Notes: In this article, the author explains how administrators who have feelings about isolation and disconnection from other Montessori schools may find support and networking through a variety of ways. Administrators may connect with others through the AMS (American Montessori Society) Heads of Schools ListServer, a forum for discussion of topics interest to school administrators. Another means of meeting this need for support and networking is active participation in a regional Montessori organizations. The author cites several benefits offered by being active in regional Montessori organization activities.

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English

ISSN: 0277-9064

Language: English

Published: Dallas, Texas: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 1986

Language: English

ISSN: 0277-9064

Language: English

ISSN: 0036-8733, 1946-7087