Abstract/Notes: School liking shows clear associations with academic success, yet we know little about how it changes over levels of schooling, what predicts liking school at each level, or how attending alternative schools like Montessori might impact liking. To better understand school liking across time and education settings, we surveyed adults about how much they remember liking elementary, middle, and high school, and identified key school features that predicted higher school liking at each level. Because Montessori schools have many features that other literature suggests predict higher school liking, we purposely sampled Montessori alumni as well, and compared their schools' features for elementary school only (due to sample size). Moreover, we collected open-ended responses about what participants in both conventional and Montessori liked least about school, revealing what features of their school experiences might have led to less overall school liking. The unique contributions of this study are (1) showing how a wide range of school features predict recalled school liking, (2) examining data for all school levels using a single sample of participants, and (3) comparing recalled school liking and its predictors across conventional and Montessori schools. The sample included 630 adults, of whom 436 were conventional school alumni and 187 were Montessori alumni (7 participants did not report school type). Participants' mean age was 35.8 years (SD = 10.53, range = 19–77), and 53% were female. Participants were recruited online, and they responded to Qualtrics surveys about school liking, school features, and their demographics. School liking overall was tepid, and was highest in elementary and lowest in middle school. For all participants, recalling a sense of community and interest in schoolwork were most strongly associated with school liking. Adults who attended schools which emphasized studying topics of personal interest and rewards for positive behavior also liked school more. Montessori school alumni reported higher school liking and that learning was what they liked most about school; by contrast, conventional school alumni most liked seeing friends. Levels of school liking, as recalled by adults, are low overall, but are higher in elementary school and higher amongst those who recall their schools as having stronger community, catering more to student interest, and rewarding positive behavior. In addition, school liking was higher among people who attended Montessori schools. Further research could extend to a cross-sectional study of children currently enrolled in different types of schools.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1002/pits.22777

ISSN: 0033-3085, 1520-6807

Abstract/Notes: In June 1990, the state of Kentucky passed its innovative Education Reform Act, which totally restructured the finance, governance, and curriculum of its public schools. One of the major provisions of the act was the mandate for Kentucky's primary schools to change from the traditional placement of children of the same age in kindergarten, first, second, and third grades to the placement of youngsters in multi-age, multi-ability classrooms. The resulting primary program recognizes that children grow and develop as a "whole," not one dimension at a time or at the same rate in each dimension. The instructional practices of the primary program address social, emotional, physical, aesthetic, and cognitive needs. The program flows naturally from preschool programs and exhibits developmentally appropriate practices. The philosophy of the primary program stresses a classroom climate that is non-competitive and encourages children to learn from one another as well as from the teachers. The

Language: English

Published: Frankfort, Kentucky, 1993

Language: English

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: La presente investigación de tipo mixto tuvo como objetivo determinar la actitud de las maestras de pre-primaria y primaria baja de un colegio privado con sedes en zona 15 de la ciudad de Guatemala y Carretera a El Salvador sobre la metodología Montessori. La población estuvo conformada por 30 maestras encargadas de grado, 4 guías Montessori y un experto en metodología Montessori. Se utilizó muestreo no probabilístico. Para este estudio se utilizaron tres instrumentos, en la parte cuantitativa se trabajó con un cuestionario anónimo para disponer de confiabilidad por parte de los sujetos y en la parte cualitativa se utilizaron dos entrevistas diferentes. Como segundo instrumento, la entrevista la contestaron cuatro guías Montessori y un tercer instrumento, una entrevista dirigida a un experto en metodología Montessori, enriqueciendo de esta forma los datos recabados con el cuestionario. Se concluyó que las maestras de preprimaria y primaria baja de ambas sedes manifiestan una actitud altamente positiva hacia la metodología Montessori. Una de las recomendaciones más importantes es que se sugiere a la institución educativa con el fin de mantener la actitud altamente positiva de las guías Montessori realizar capacitaciones continuas y que de esta forma puedan tener siempre presentes las bases de la metodología, de tal manera que las maestras apliquen el método convencidas de la efectividad del mismo.

Language: Spanish

Published: Guatemala City, Guatemala, 2018

Abstract/Notes: Letter to the editor

Language: English

ISSN: 1470-8647

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions, such as the MindUP curriculum and Exercises of Practical Life, on primary and elementary aged students’ self-regulation skills. This study consisted of a sample size of 38 students from three different Montessori environments. The data was collected over a period of four weeks using a pre and post parent assessment, observational field notes and tally sheets, and a behavioral student self-assessment tool. Results show a connection between the mindfulness interventions implemented and the children’s ability to self-regulate their behaviors and emotions. The data shows positive effects on student self-regulatory skills and it can be integrated into the classroom to facilitate student academic achievement. Our recommendation for future research is to allow for more time to conduct the study.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Abstract/Notes: The aim of this research developed Teaching Module for students’ Reading Difficulty at Primary School. This research uses the Borg and Gall development procedure which has been simplified into 4 stages, namely (1) research and data collection, (2) planning, (3) module development, (4) validation and testing. The research subjects were students who had difficulty learning to read at the beginning of grade I elementary school. Data collection techniques use observation, reading ability tests, product validation questionnaires by experts. The steps used in this research and development are (1) research and gathering initial information; (2) planning; (3) product format development; (4) small scale trials; (5) final revision and product improvement. Module validation is carried out by media expert validators, material experts and class teachers. The score from the media expert validator got a percentage of 96%, the score from the media expert validator got a percentage of 96%, the class teacher got a percentage of 100%. Thus, all validation results are classified in the "very feasible" category. Based on research on the quality of learning media, learning modules without spelling using the Montessori method have been made feasible and practical for use in teaching and learning reading activities at MIS Nurul Falah Kemuning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.51278/bse.v4i1.1072

ISSN: 2774-4299

Abstract/Notes: Children have an innate sense of curiosity about nature. “When children come in contact with nature, they reveal their strength” (Montessori, 1967, pg. 69) and therefore, outdoor education can be a useful learning tool for students. Whether being outdoors or bringing the nature-based activities inside, children have the opportunity to work with all of their senses. A growing number of schools around the United States have begun adding outdoor learning to their curriculum (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998) to bring a positive outcome to students’ behavior. Outdoor learning provides another environment that children can thrive in and hopefully benefit from. As many students struggle with learning confined to an indoor learning environment, like most classrooms, changing the environment offers students a uniquely rich context to frame student learning and provides them with movement, stimulation and grabs their attention so they can focus better (Bjorge, Hannah, Rekstad and Pauly, 2017). “If students are more focused, it is less likely for them to cause disruptive behaviors” (Bjorge, et. al, p. 4). This positive change in behavior is beneficial for everyone including students, teachers, and parents. By incorporating outdoor learning regularly in a classroom, children are given the freedom to move and explore on a sensorial level that may promote positive learning abilities. Using the outdoor environment as a classroom setting can have an impact on children who are not successful in an indoor classroom setting. According to existing research, (Bjorge, et. al, 2017; James, J.K. and Williams, T., 2017; Lieberman & Hoody, 1998) student motivation and concentration behaviors, as well as overall well-being, can be greatly impacted and improved through outdoor learning opportunities.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Language: English

ISSN: 1470-8647