Traditional Classroom Vs. Montessori Environment

Montessori: Creating a Paradigm Shift in Education

Traditional Classroom	Montessori Environment
Textbooks, pencil and paper, worksheets and dittos	Prepared kinesthic materials with incorporated control of error, specially developed reference materials
Working and learning without emphasis on social development	Working and learning matched to the social development of the child
Narrow, unit-driven curriculum	Unified, internationally developed curriculum
Individual subjects	Integrated subjects and learning based on developmental psychology
Block time, period lessons	Uninterrupted work cycles
Single-graded classrooms	Multi-age classrooms
Students passive, quiet, in desks	Students active, talking, with periods of spontaneous quiet, freedom to move
Students fit mold of school	School meets needs of students
Students leave for special help	Special help comes to students
Product-focused report cards	Process-focused assessment, skills checklists, mastery benchmarks