Interviews John Chattin-McNichols, the author of a recent book that examines Montessori education in the context of current child development theory and practice. Topics discussed include McNichols' book, his work in Montessori, his Fulbright year in Trinidad, the use of technology in education, public Montessori programs, and the future of…

Describes a Montessori teacher's experience with a sufferer of Tourette's syndrome, a dysfunction characterized by motor and vocal tics. Studies the progress over a school year, including work on academic skills utilizing the Montessori method and behavior. Shares research, successes, and failures in trying to reach the child. (SD)

Argues slavery has historically impacted children, and that children need to reflect on this practice, study its forms, look for examples of subjugation and domination in their own lives, and decide whether and how they might eradicate the need to subjugate others. Suggests procedures, activities, lesson sequence, materials, and expected outcomes…

Studied how Montessori teachers accommodate young children's special needs. Phase one involved interviews and observations of several teachers, and phase two involved an extensive survey of teachers. Found that teachers' perceptions of support and collaboration, use of strategies to nurture independence, and the impact of children with challenging…

Argues lack of encouragement starves the young poet. Describes a teacher's effort to bring an appreciation of poetry and the writing of poetry into a classroom of 9-12 year olds. Suggests specific exercises in using metaphor, comparisons, wish lists, dreams, humor, and rhythm. Also suggests classic poetry for motivating students. (SD)

Discusses the elements of Montessori education that distinguish it from traditional education for older children and from much current group experience for young children. Focuses on the respect for each child as a unique individual with unique interests and learning styles and on how Montessori education responds to that individuality to…

Describes the Storypath method of using story structure to help students understand concepts. Specifically offers a structure for organizing the social studies curriculum while integrating the Montessori method. Provides strategies for guiding student learning, promoting social and cooperative learning skills, and meeting curriculum needs and the…

Examines major characteristics of learning disabilities and the significance of Montessori principles as they may be applied in the education of children with learning disabilities. Addresses disorders of gross and fine motor coordination, language, attention, and perception. Describes exercises in practical life skills, sensory education, and…

Discusses how child-centered educational philosophies, including Montessori, share positions differing radically from those of the educational standards movement. Focuses on adult-set goals and standards, social promotion, external motivators, demands for more challenging work, and standardized tests. Reports that children in child-centered…

An awareness of the developmental needs of adolescents is important in planning for students in a Montessori program. Six important principles to consider when planning for young adolescents are time; thematic, integrated curriculum; choice; time to be together; time to be alone; and technology and nontext reading materials. (TJQ)

Describes the School of the Woods' (Houston, Texas) middle school environment, a learning environment developed to create trust and community, provide meaningful work, and allow adolescents to create a vision for their future. Explains the school's philosophy in terms of adolescent psychology, trust, and curriculum. (TJQ)

Discusses early adolescence as the second most critical stage of development, and the importance of recognizing this when planning a middle school program. Describes how one school met the pressures of logistics and community expectations to develop a classroom that was responsive to the individual student in light of the characteristics and needs…

Presents ideas for creating mathematical classroom activities associated with the history of mathematics: calculating sums and products the way ancient Greeks did it, using an abacus or moving stones on a sanded floor, and engaging elementary students through role playing specific mathematicians. Suggests that through such techniques, mathematics…

Compares and contrasts the approaches to mathematics in Montessori schools and traditional schools. Suggests that in a traditional curriculum, math is studied as a separate subject and isolated discipline, in an abstract format, with the entire group of children moving together through the prescribed curriculum. In contrast, the Montessori school…

Describes studying the steel drum, an import from Trinidad, as an instrument of intellectual growth. Describes how developing a steel drum band provided Montessori middle school students the opportunity to experience some important feelings necessary to emotional growth during this difficult age: competence, usefulness, independence, and…