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 |