Abstract/Notes: The purpose of the study was to investigate differences in literacy outcomes of Montessori-trained students under alternative instructional conditions in first grade. As a method of instruction, Montessori has not been adequately researched in the area of literacy to verify its efficacy in educating students. Previous studies compared Montessori students to non-Montessori students; therefore, the findings were open to the criticism that private school students enjoyed an a priori advantage over their public school counterparts. In this study, all participants had Montessori preschool experience. Roughly half the subjects chose public school and half chose to continue at Montessori for first grade. Sociofunctional linguistics, educational psychology, and Montessori's writing on education provided theoretical underpinnings for the study. A mixed research design was employed. Qualitative observations were conducted over a period of a calendar year. Quantitative measures were taken in a pretest/posttest format on five different literacy measures. Qualitative results show the core theme of the classroom was child-centeredness. This assertion was supported by five separate categories that emerged from observation. Quantitative results indicate that Montessori-trained students in alternative instructional conditions fared better on literacy measures than their counterparts who remained at Montessori for first grade. These results, along with methodological innovations for using literate register cohesion and genre analysis in literacy research, contribute to the educational research base in literacy studies.

Language: English

Published: West Lafayette, Indiana, 2005

Language: English

Published: Lubbock, Texas, 1994

Abstract/Notes: This study was conducted in Kenya and focused on the use of instructional materials at the Early Childhood level. Purpose of the study was to establish the implications of instructional materials on oral skills among early childhood learners. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The target population comprised 42 head teachers, 126 teachers and 3180 leaners. It was found that that teaching using instructional materials improved the performance of learners in various learning activities such as repetition of letters, repetition of words and ability to write dictated words. The improved performance was in a range of 11% to 18%.

Language: English

DOI: 10.15739/IJEPRR.16.004

ISSN: 2360-7076

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Review of commercial program

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Examines the social and emotional benefits for children in early childhood multiage classrooms and the strategies teachers implement to promote those developmental domains. Explores findings about the social and emotional advantages for students, and presents advantages and disadvantages from the multiage perspective. Reviews findings on instructional strategies and implications for teaching and research. (SD)

Language: English

ISSN: 1084-6603

Abstract/Notes: Intended for teachers who have asked for information on how to manage a multi-age classroom, this book outlines the ideal classroom as it exists when all of the multi-age components are put in place. Opening sections of the guide discuss creating the multi-age classroom, and the advantages and principles of multi-age instruction. The next sections provide overviews of classroom organization, instructional strategies, curriculum, assessment and evaluation, and getting started. Each of these sections includes the overview, results of the changes brought about by multi-age instruction, and advice from the experts. Additional sections address scheduling, grouping strategies, working with Bloom's taxonomy, projects for active learners, using novels for literature instruction, and helping children discover themselves and others. Separate sections address the management of mathematics, authentic assessment and evaluation, and student record forms, with sample forms included. A glossary of

Language: English

Published: Edmonds, Washington: CATS Publications, Apr 1995

Edition: Revised

ISBN: 1-886753-03-2

Abstract/Notes: The major purpose of this study was to determine if and how Montessori classrooms differentiate instructional and curricular practices for gifted and talented students. The Classroom Practices Record (Westberg, Dobyns, Archambault, 1990) was used to determine the degree of differentiation. Observations were made of gifted and average children in four private elementary AMS affiliated Montessori classrooms in Indiana. The collected data were analyzed descriptively. The results indicate that little differentiation occurred in verbal or curricular practices for gifted and talented students within the observed classrooms.

Language: English

Published: Waco, Texas, 2000

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: This study investigated factors that affect access to the general early childhood education curriculum of 4 kindergarten-aged children with disabilities attending an inclusive Montessori program; it replicated with adaptations, components of a previous study on access. Factors included curriculum participation, engagement, type of involvement, and provided instructional supports. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyze video data of each child recorded during the daily open work period. The children in the present study exhibited slightly higher engagement and received more instructional supports than in the previous study. The general conclusions were that the 4 children participated in the Montessori curriculum to varying degrees due to a complex set of associated factors related to child characteristics, teacher skills, instructional support, and attributes of the Montessori educational approach.

Language: English

Published: Lawrence, Kansas, 2008