Is Montessori a place for kids who cannot succeed in mainstream schools, or is it for everyone?
Montessori is for everyone! It is a proven educational approach that can be a great fit for any student. It empowers children to participate in the learning process, developing self discipline and confidence. This foundation enables them to thrive not only as students, but ultimately as adults, professionals, and community members. More and more families are choosing Montessori as their go-to option, not as a fall-back.
Do kids just roam around doing whatever they want?
Nope. The day is divided up into different segments that include group activities such as tefillah, class meetings, lunch, recess, and two work periods, during which most of the learning occurs. Children can choose which learning material they would like to use as long as they have received an initial lesson, until they have “mastered” that subject. Older children have a daily work plan which includes tasks that must be completed before they are allowed to engage with other activities of their choosing.
Does Montessori lack academic structure?
No. Montessori offers children freedom within structure, which promotes autonomy and their ability to take ownership over the way in which they gain skills and reach grade-level specific benchmarks. Teachers work with each student to set monthly and weekly goals, assess progress on an ongoing basis, and introduce new lessons as students show mastery over work, ensuring they are being continually challenged to learn and grow academically in each subject area.
How are kids at different ages and academic levels able to learn in the same classroom?
Even in classrooms where children are all the same age, every child has different strengths and weaknesses. Because Montessori focuses on learning through hands-on materials and not frontal teaching, it accommodates different ages and levels seamlessly. Children engage with the materials at their own pace, and there are different materials for different grades. The mixed age group fosters a sense of collaboration and mutual respect. Children quickly learn that there is no need to compare, everyone is learning at their own level, and we can all help and support one another.
When the older children teach the younger children, what does each child gain?
For older children, teaching their younger classmates reinforces their own learning. Teaching someone else is the best way to make sure you’ve really learned something, and it helps build leadership and patience. For younger children, studies show that kids learn best from other kids. They speak the same language. Younger kids are excited to learn from their older classmates, and seeing the more advanced skills they possess helps motivate them to want to learn more.
Can students coming from a traditional classroom transition successfully into Montessori?
Yes, we do it all the time! The younger they are, the quicker it goes. Moving from a system of learning that is top down (teacher directed) to child-led requires an internal shift that takes time. The child needs patience and space within which to make it, but once it clicks it is beautiful to see how excited they become and happy to initiate.
Some Jewish kids need to go to public school to receive certain services. How does Shaarei Chinuch support children who need extra educational support?
Firstly, each child gets one on one lessons from a teacher and differentiated learning, regardless of academic ability. Children who need extra support beyond that can receive tutoring in math and language arts through Title I. Secondly, any students who possess an IEP can get services through REACH. Parents can also arrange for therapists/specialists to come into the school, and occasionally we receive grant funding to provide extra professional support.
How do children transition from a Montessori classroom to a traditional classroom??
A Montessori education provides children with the tools they need to be successful in any environment. They learn to work independently, focus, exert personal responsibility, resolve conflict, express their feelings, and advocate for themselves––in addition to the academic skills they gain. The Montessori method operates on a three year cycle, wherein seeds are planted over the course of two years and then bear fruit in the third year. Completing the full three years ensures students will fully develop and master the skills being taught and are therefore equipped to handle a transition to a different learning environment.
Montessori is for everyone! It is a proven educational approach that can be a great fit for any student. It empowers children to participate in the learning process, developing self discipline and confidence. This foundation enables them to thrive not only as students, but ultimately as adults, professionals, and community members. More and more families are choosing Montessori as their go-to option, not as a fall-back.
Do kids just roam around doing whatever they want?
Nope. The day is divided up into different segments that include group activities such as tefillah, class meetings, lunch, recess, and two work periods, during which most of the learning occurs. Children can choose which learning material they would like to use as long as they have received an initial lesson, until they have “mastered” that subject. Older children have a daily work plan which includes tasks that must be completed before they are allowed to engage with other activities of their choosing.
Does Montessori lack academic structure?
No. Montessori offers children freedom within structure, which promotes autonomy and their ability to take ownership over the way in which they gain skills and reach grade-level specific benchmarks. Teachers work with each student to set monthly and weekly goals, assess progress on an ongoing basis, and introduce new lessons as students show mastery over work, ensuring they are being continually challenged to learn and grow academically in each subject area.
How are kids at different ages and academic levels able to learn in the same classroom?
Even in classrooms where children are all the same age, every child has different strengths and weaknesses. Because Montessori focuses on learning through hands-on materials and not frontal teaching, it accommodates different ages and levels seamlessly. Children engage with the materials at their own pace, and there are different materials for different grades. The mixed age group fosters a sense of collaboration and mutual respect. Children quickly learn that there is no need to compare, everyone is learning at their own level, and we can all help and support one another.
When the older children teach the younger children, what does each child gain?
For older children, teaching their younger classmates reinforces their own learning. Teaching someone else is the best way to make sure you’ve really learned something, and it helps build leadership and patience. For younger children, studies show that kids learn best from other kids. They speak the same language. Younger kids are excited to learn from their older classmates, and seeing the more advanced skills they possess helps motivate them to want to learn more.
Can students coming from a traditional classroom transition successfully into Montessori?
Yes, we do it all the time! The younger they are, the quicker it goes. Moving from a system of learning that is top down (teacher directed) to child-led requires an internal shift that takes time. The child needs patience and space within which to make it, but once it clicks it is beautiful to see how excited they become and happy to initiate.
Some Jewish kids need to go to public school to receive certain services. How does Shaarei Chinuch support children who need extra educational support?
Firstly, each child gets one on one lessons from a teacher and differentiated learning, regardless of academic ability. Children who need extra support beyond that can receive tutoring in math and language arts through Title I. Secondly, any students who possess an IEP can get services through REACH. Parents can also arrange for therapists/specialists to come into the school, and occasionally we receive grant funding to provide extra professional support.
How do children transition from a Montessori classroom to a traditional classroom??
A Montessori education provides children with the tools they need to be successful in any environment. They learn to work independently, focus, exert personal responsibility, resolve conflict, express their feelings, and advocate for themselves––in addition to the academic skills they gain. The Montessori method operates on a three year cycle, wherein seeds are planted over the course of two years and then bear fruit in the third year. Completing the full three years ensures students will fully develop and master the skills being taught and are therefore equipped to handle a transition to a different learning environment.