Abstract/Notes: These 11 newsletter issues provide a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas regarding mixed-age grouping in preschool and elementary schools. The October 1992 issue focuses on the mixed-age approach as an educational innovation, defines relevant terms, and presents advice from Oregon teachers on teaching mixed-age groups. The March 1993 issue discusses: how children learn to care for the needs of others; preparing the environment for mixed-age grouping; and communicating with parents and visitors. a Multi-Age Classroom Observation Guide is also presented. The October 1993 issue discusses applying Piagetian theory to the mixed-age classroom; identifies the support needed to institutionalize mixed-age primary level classes; provides cautions for caregivers of mixed-age groups; and discusses use of parent workshops on the whole-language multi-age classroom. The Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 1994 issues address student assessment in mixed-age classrooms and highlight the approach taken in individual programs. The Spring/Summer 1995 issue discusses implementing the mixed-age classroom and the benefits of mixed-age grouping. The Fall/Winter 1995 issue introduces the concept of looping and its advantages and disadvantages. The Spring/Summer 1996 issue focuses on using mixed-age grouping for at-risk students. The Fall/Winter 1996 issue examines how mixed-age grouping helps children develop social skills and a sense of belonging, and the potential risks of mixed-age grouping. The Spring/Summer 1997 issue deals with the risk of bullying in mixed-age groups. The Fall/Winter 1997 issue discusses sociodramatic play in the mixed-age setting. Regular features in most newsletter issues include "Quotable Quotes," relevant brief quotations regarding mixed-age groups; and descriptions of recent publications and other print and electronic resources. (KB)

Language: English

Published: Champaign, Illinois: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, 1997

Abstract/Notes: This formative evaluation report documents the progress made by the Holliday Montessori Magnet Elementary School (Kansas City, Missouri) during the first year of implementation of Montessori themes. The evaluation was based on the goals established by the Holliday Montessori Site Plan and the Long-Range Magnet School Plan. Examined were enrollment data; program implementation; parent, teacher, administrator, and student attitudes toward the program; and student achievement. Enrollment data indicated that the school's enrollment was 9% below program capacity, and that the school was close to achieving the desegregation goal of 60% minority and 40% nonminority students and had maintained court-ordered class size limits. Achievement scores for nonminority kindergarten students were above national norms in math and language subtests, but minority student achievement scores fell below the national norm. Classroom observations, site visits, questionnaires, and interviews suggest that the program is being implemented according to the site plan and long-range plan objectives. However, program participants identified problems associated with inadequate supplies and materials, student transportation, communication among colleagues, vacancies for Montessori resources staff, and training for teachers and paraprofessionals. Perceptions of parents were positive and reflected a strong degree of satisfaction in most areas of program implementation. Recommendations based on the evaluation results are provided. Appended are 4 references and related materials.

Language: English

Published: Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City School District, Aug 1991

Abstract/Notes: Within the realm of elementary public schools, several pedagogical models of early childhood education are practiced in the United States (Lillard, 2007). The constructivist approach to early childhood education is illustrative of best practices based on current theory. One model of constructivist early childhood education is the Montessori Method founded in the early twentieth century by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician (Montessori, 1912/1964). Though the Montessori Method is aligned with research-based best practices espoused by constructivism, there are relatively few public Montessori schools currently in the United States. A direct comparison is needed between the academic outcomes of public elementary school programs which implement the Montessori Method and those which implement a more traditional approach to early childhood education. The focus of this study is the academic achievement outcomes of Montessori public school students as compared to similar non-Montessori students.

Language: English

Published: Commerce, Texas, 2013

Abstract/Notes: Parent-teacher partnership could dramatically improve educational outcomes for students (Bikmaz & Guler, 2003; Epstein, 2001). However, most teachers and parents lack knowledge and resources for creating this relationship (Christenson, 2004; Epstein, 2001; Henderson & Mapp, 2002). The interactive handbook is a tool for Montessori elementary educators and parents that addresses the common barriers to connection and develops a partnership to provide a continuation of lessons and values from the classroom to the home. The implementation is focused on the Montessori elementary context as it correlates to the "cosmic education" philosophy. Current parents and teachers in the public and private sector of Montessori elementary education evaluated the handbook, and their feedback was incorporated to be the most relevant and effective tool possible.

Language: English

Published: Moraga, California, 2011

Language: English

Published: Beverly, Massachusetts, 2006

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of the present work was to foster positive socialization in a multilevel group of a Montessori elementary school comprised by 20 students between 9 and 12 years old and many students with Special Education Needs. Positive socialization refers to the group of behaviors to aid the more vulnerable and concern for the others (Rudolph, 2000). It is important to nurture these behaviors during the school age since this is the stage where students require them to foster healthy coexistence and cooperation, as well as respect for differences and diversity among peers, which is closely related to educational inclusion, which premise is to make a school for all, for which the creation of spaces where coexistence and differences acceptance are nurtured taking into account the needs of each student (Romera, 2008). The Elementary Education Syllabus in Mexico mentions the inclusion principle, which emphasizes the teaching of values, attitudes and behaviors towards helping the others (Secretary of Public Education, 2011). Under this perspective, a traditional empirical quantitative applied field study was conducted. The design was of only one group, with two pretest-posttest measurings in which also 5 teachers participated in the group activities. The group was assessed in Positive socialization by means of the Socialization Battery BAS-3 by Silva and Martorell (1987) which defines a child’s profile by five factors. The pretest results indicated five subjects obtained a scoring below the mean value in the Concern for the others scale, this meant the subjects had little social sensitivity or concern for others. In addition, the Inclusive Practices in the Classroom Evaluation Guideline in its observation and self-report version by Garcia, Romero and Escalante (2009) was applied, which allowed to measure the levels of educational inclusion in the group. The results determined that four teachers obtained a scoring below the mean value in the planning area scale. Based on the pretest results obtained from both instruments, an intervention program was designed based on the Cooperative play proposal by Garaigordobil (2004), to foster prosocial behaviors, while the decision taking according to the students’ needs were worked with the teachers. At the end of the intervention, a posttest was applied to the group and the results indicated a significant increment in the positive socialization, especially, the behaviors towards helping the others in the students with the lowest scores from the pretest; teachers planning also improved to achieve a more inclusive environment in the group. The results were validated with the non-parametric Wilcoxon test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Language: English

Published: Barcelona, Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), 2016

Pages: 7934-7941

DOI: 10.21125/edulearn.2016.0741

ISBN: 978-84-608-8860-4

Language: English

Published: Herndon, Virginia: Books international, 1996

Language: Russian

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Examines how the Montessori mathematics curriculum moves children from the concrete to the abstract.

Runtime: 18 minutes

Language: English

Published: Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2002