An Example Lesson in a Montessori School

Let us take a sample lesson in a Montessori school to further explain the differences between a standard public or private school from that of a Montessori school. In a Montessori school, children are given three hour work periods in prepared work environments for each lesson- if a child is immersed in a lesson, it is general practice to allow that child to continue on his/her own and to join the class lesson later if he/she would like. For each work period, if a basic introduction is necessary, the instructor will give a basic instruction and then give the children time to work on each project on their own. The instructor’s purpose is as a passive teacher, interacting with students by asking questions to the students and having them demonstrate each lesson to ensure they understand each lesson. Children are also encouraged to teach one another through giving presentations especially at the higher levels of education.

Let us use the example of teaching shapes. The teacher will point out the sounds and structure of two or three shapes and then children are provided learning materials associated with those shapes. As the children work with the shapes, the teacher will ask the child to ‘show me the triangle’ or ‘show me the square’. Toward the end of the lesson, the teacher will as ‘what is this shape?’ to a child to ensure that the children understand. The teacher will also use the time to work with the children to see what these shapes create in their everyday lives. For example the sun is a circle, you need a square and a triangle to draw a basic house, a cup has a circle top excreta.

Therefore, the children receive the same information as in a public or private school, but the main difference is the environment in which they are learning as well as the role that each teacher plays in the classroom.

This introduction to the history of the Montessori Method was published by Montessori Children's House of Denver, a leading Denver Montessori school. Parents who wish to learn more about Montessori Schools in Denver should contact the school to arrange a visit.