Abstract/Notes: La tesi illustra come la multisensorialità nell'insegnamento sia un aspetto fondamentale per permettere al bambino di imparare utilizzando tutti i canali dell'apprendimento, permettendogli di sviluppare anche quelli che utilizza di meno. Sono state studiate e sperimentate in questo senso la metodologia montessoriana (che spinge il bambino ad apprendere nella sua interezza) e la Programmazione Neuro Linguistica (metodologia diffusa negli USA e in Inghilterra che trasmette tecniche per migliorare in ambito lavorativo - tecniche adattabili al campo dell'insegnamento). Punto di partenza della sperimentazione è stata la somministrazione, alle classi di una Scuola Montessori di Milano, di un adattamento dello Swassing Barbe (un test sensoriale); sono stati creati in seguito dei materiali sensoriali utilizzati per l'insegnamento della L2 ed i risultati sono stati decisamente soddisfacenti.

Language: Italian

Published: Milano, 1998

Abstract/Notes: This study represents a continuation of a longitudinal assessment of the effectiveness of a Montessori and Responsive Environment preschool program sponsored by the Arlington Public Schools. The Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Caldwell Cooperative Preschool Inventory, and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were used to assess the academic achievement and intellectual development of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children with the Montessori or Responsive Environment experiences and those with no preschool experience at the end of the regular kindergarten program. The SRA Achievement Series, Grade 1, was used to assess the achievement of children, with and without the Montessori experience, at the end of first grade. Results indicated that children in the regular 5-year-old kindergarten program with prior Montessori experience scored significantly higher on the Caldwell measure than did children without this experience upon entrance into the program. When all of the children with either type of preschool experience were categorized as one treatment group, results showed that these children scored higher on the Caldwell measure at the beginning and end of the 5-year-old program than those without the experience. Significant differences in favor of the preschool treatment group were also noted on the pretest of the Caldwell subtests: Personal-Social, Associative, Vocabulary, and Concept Activation-Numerical. It was concluded that early educational preschool experiences can be effective in fostering the academic achievement and maintaining the intellectual development of children. (Author/JMB)

Language: English

Pages: 45

Abstract/Notes: Reported are findings of a longitudinal study on the differential effects of five preschool programs on comparable groups of 4-year-old disadvantaged children. Descriptions are given for the five preschool programs studied: the Bereiter-Engelmann program, which involves intensive oral drill in verbal and logical patterns; the Karnes Ameliorative program, a psycholonguistic model derived from the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities; the community integrated program, which provided a traditional nursery school experience sponsored by community groups; the Montessori program, which provided a prepared environment and a program structured around the prescribed manner in which the child learned from materials; and a traditional preschool or nursery program. Included in a summary of findings were that no statistically significant differences were found among groups on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 10 years later; that Student Interview data revealed no difference in the child's self concept of school performance across interventions; and that Locus of Control scores were found to be significantly related to Binet IQ scores for all Ss. (SBH)

Language: English

Pages: 25

Abstract/Notes: This paper discusses the long-term effects of preschool experience on sixth and seventh grade students. Subjects (n=200) were primarily black, lower-SES, Head Start children who, in 1968-69, were randomly assigned to one of four preschool programs: Bereiter-Engelmann, Darcee, Montessori, and Traditional. In 1976-77, approximately 140 of the children were given the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) and the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). Overall "F" Tests on the achievement scores of sixth graders indicated two significant differences among programs on Reading Comprehension (p=.05) and Spelling (p=.05). Program differences on Reading Total scores were significant at the .10 level. Among seventh graders there were program differences on Reading, Spelling, and Language subtests (p=.10). Four multi-variate analyses of variance comparing the SAT Total Reading and Total Math scores and WISC-R Verbal and Performance IQ scores of children in each of the four programs indicated that the Montessori program was consistently superior to the other three programs, although these program differences were not statistically significant. Comparison of sixth and seventh grades shows that preschool program participants made average gains of 6 months in Total Reading and 1 month in Total Math. At grade seven, three groups remained 1 year behind grade level. The Montessori group was about a half year behind grade level. There were no significant IQ differences between the groups. Long-term program effects on achievement were found. Overall, children from the Montessori program consistently outperformed the others. (Author/RH)

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Oriented toward a direct instructional routine in preparation for regular school, the Philadelphia Prekindergarten Head Start Program (PKHS) provides experiences to counter-balance effects of social and economic disadvantagement; parent involvement; staff development; and special supportive services. It employs five instructional models: Bank Street, Behavioral Analysis, Montessori, open classroom, and responsive learning. Observations indicate that children's activities usually emphasized language and social developmental skill areas, while adults were primarily observed in group leader or direct teacher roles. When tested against the Developmental Behavior Checklist, PKHS children accomplished approximately the same number of items as the total prekindergarten population. During the course of the program the number of children identified as developmentally "delayed" or "suspicious" decreased by 50 percent. It also appears that the program has a positive lasting effect on children's scores on standardized tests through grade 5. Children enrolled in the program received extensive psychological, nutritional and social services during 1979-80. Parent involvement in the program was high in both classroom participation and policy or planning meetings. Staff development was also a major component of the program. Over 70 percent of staff attended more than five workshops during the year. (Author/AEF)

Language: English

Published: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jan 1981

Abstract/Notes: The Portland Chapter 1 Early Childhood Education Program is one of three arrangements in the district to offer education for preschool children. Together, the programs enrolled 1,500 students during 1986-87. Although there are some differences among programs, the one located at Kenton School is typical of most. It consists of 3 classrooms, each holding a morning and an afternoon session of 2.5 hours each, with each session having the capacity for 20 students. Each classroom is staffed with a certified teacher and an aide. Other professional staff who were involved included the principal, program coordinator, speech therapist, and community agent. Program costs amounted to approximately 2,000 dollars per year per child. The curriculum covered language, math, small and large motor functions, art and music, and personal and social development. Program activities alternated between large and small group contexts, with student movement around the classroom quite unrestricted except during direct instruction. Many of the techniques replicated those of the Headstart Program and the Montessori method. Data obtained via a rating form containing a large sample of the skills taught in the seven skill areas and via follow-up of children who completed the program indicate that the program helps children master skills and that replication of the program across years has been consistent. Evaluation instruments are appended. (TJH)

Language: English

Published: Portland, Oregon, Aug 1987

Abstract/Notes: This volume presents case studies of 10 ungraded primary programs. Also discussed are the obstacles, accomplishments, advantages, and disadvantages of ungraded primary programs experienced by the faculties of these schools; their recommendations for future implementation; and the literature on multi-age grouping and ungraded primary programs. Case studies were used to: (1) illustrate concepts, procedures, and materials being used by schools that had initiated ungraded primary programs; (2) provide contact information for these schools so that other educators could call on them for assistance; and (3) assess commonalities in effective ungraded primary programs. Each case study of an ungraded primary program describes the philosophy and goals, and program background and implementation. Each program's practices regarding grouping and organization, curriculum and instruction, student assessment, and remediation and enrichment, are described. In addition, the teacher's role, the

Language: English

Published: Washington, D.C., Apr 1991

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

Abstract/Notes: This paper describes a summer remedial program for third- and fifth-grade students administered by Valdosta State University in Georgia. The program utilizes a multi-age, multi-ability, thematic, and full-inclusion approach. Assessment of the program was based on data collected through interviews with 18 students and a survey of 28 parents. Both groups reported that they enjoyed the program. The high level of student involvement and students' descriptions of the program as "fun" validated the program's hands-on approach. The following recommendations are made for the education of K-7 students: (1) use a hands-on approach to increase student involvement; (2) develop different avenues for parent involvement; (3) incorporate the thematic approach into the instructional process; and (4) consider alternative classroom designs in meeting students' needs. Copies of the interview guide and survey are included.

Language: English

Published: Valdosta, Georgia, Jun 1994

Abstract/Notes: This study is the third annual study of primary program implementation in Kentucky elementary schools. This research project is one of six studies conducted in 1995 to determine the extent Kentucky schools and educators had implemented educational technology. In June, 1990, the Kentucky legislature passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), mandating restructuring of Kentucky educational system. A controversial aspect of the legislation is the requirement for all of Kentucky's elementary schools to become non-graded, multi-age, multi-ability primary schools by the fall of 1993. In this study, observations were collected in a random sample of 24 primary schools in eight regional service areas in the state, selecting four teachers in each school for observation. Observers were trained to use the Primary Program Component Configuration Map. Teachers rated the level of support for implementation of the primary program. Results include: (1) wide variation from teacher to teacher in

Language: English

Published: Frankfort, Kentucky, Aug 1995