Testimonials

Student Work

Perhaps the greatest testimonial to the success of the Montessori method is Montessori student work. The quality, creativity, and cross-disciplinary nature of the following classwork speaks to the intelligence and curiosity of the Montessori students that created it.

This book cover crosses disciplines (art and biology), resulting in a creative and colorful rendition of human cells.

Source: Marin Montessori School, California. Elementary Level (ages 9-12)

This mathematical exercise helps children visually deconstruct decimals. With ‘one’ in the center, each square on the Decimal Checkerboard multiples or divides by a power of ten.

Source: Marin Montessori School, California. Elementary Level (ages 9-12)

This poem uses both language and picture to convey the theme. Each part of the cat’s body is literally composed of the corresponding word: for instance, the body of the cat is formed by the repetition of the word ‘body.’ This creative, literary exercise emphasizes both written and visual components.

Source: Marin Montessori School, California. Elementary Level (age 9-12)

Chicken Occupation
For this entire residency I have been studying chickens in the chicken occupation with Jen. I have always liked chickens, but before doing this occupation I haven’t been able to fully appreciate and love chickens. Now that we are nearing the end of the residency and occupations I do, really, love chickens. There is so much more than you would think, to know about chickens. I have spent hours researching my occupation’s educational project about raising chickens in the city and sometimes have to stop myself from reading too much and using up all of my time. The first thing that we studied was chicken anatomy. I felt very smart knowing the names for the different wing feathers (wing coverts, secondaries, and primaries). We also learned about egg anatomy, our favorite part (because of its name) being the blastodisc, which is the part of the egg that develops into a chick. We also learned a lot about different breeds of chickens. It is amazing how when we think of chicken we think of one stereotypical bird when truly chickens range in looks all over the place. There are huge ones and tiny ones, plain white ones and iridescent black ones, the variety is incredible. The history of chickens is also amazing. We learned about the different ways that chickens have been associated with the different cultures. The ancient Greeks, in fact, believed that chickens were so brave, even lions were afraid of them. They were also associated with many other religions, especially in the Middle East. I have enjoyed every minute of the chicken occupation and certainly plan to observe, be with and continue to love chickens.		This reflection piece sums up one student’s experience studying one specific topic in-depth, in this case chickens. Source: Lake County School, Minnesota, Middle School Written by Helena Scholz-Carlson
Montessori Student as Teacher
“I attended one of the most renowned Montessori schools in the nation, The Post Oak School, for 13 years. This alternative learning program gave me a multitude of gifts through its unique take on schooling. For example, in kindergarten I was shown how to write, but learned to read on my own. With the help of my elder classmates (as each kindergarten class holds an evenly distributed population of children ages two to six), I gained the ability to recognize words and then the meaning behind them without the aid of a teacher or parent. I was slightly ahead of my age group, and would thus aid my friends by teaching them what I knew. Directors (Montessori teachers) would help, when asked, and would stop a student if he or she was teaching something incorrectly, but most of my education in the early stages of school was passed from one student to another. And where I exceeded my peers, the director would step in and teach me as much as I wanted to know in any subject I showed a specific interest in. This form of teaching continued throughout my education, with more and more aid from directors as the subjects became more difficult, until Middle School. Montessori taught me skills that public schools tend to skip over, such as problem solving, communication, time management, a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsiblity, as I was expected to manage my own education (or else the director would step in and correct me) and teach my peers. It also instilled within me a strong sense of community, a desire to learn, a love of school, and the ability to readily retain information and effectively teach other students.”		This essay was included in the college entrance application of a Montessori graduate. Source: Post Oak School, Bellaire, Texas.

Quotes From Students

“There are no limits to learning and reaching a goal. The Montessori environment has enabled me to learn at my own pace. This has inspired me, because there were never any boundaries put in place as to what I was allowed to learn. Because of this, I have no fear of learning, just a feeling of momentum when it comes to exploring a new concept.”		“There are no limits to learning and reaching a goal. The Montessori environment has enabled me to learn at my own pace. This has inspired me, because there were never any boundaries put in place as to what I was allowed to learn. Because of this, I have no fear of learning, just a feeling of momentum when it comes to exploring a new concept.”

“Throughout my time at Montessori I have learned many lessons, both academic and personal. I have learned how to solve quadratic equations, set up a tent silently in under five minutes, and, of course, how to bake biscuits in a toaster oven. But the most important lesson that I have learned from Montessori is to guard my independence, and never let it be taken away from me.”		“Forest Bluff Montessori School has not only been responsible for my academic growth, but it is also responsible for my growth as an individual. On our winter trip last year we went dog sledding in Ely, Minnesota. At one point while we were camping, the temperature plummeted to twenty degrees below zero… The trip was a huge challenge. We soon learned we were not only responsible for the dogs and staying warm ourselves, but we had to stay positive throughout the entire trip even during the toughest times. The school trips taught me that although it’s important to learn to trust others, it’s more important to trust and rely on yourself.”

“Through my Montessori education, I have developed a sense of who I am, and a sense of independence. Whether it is finishing a math book or an independent study project, enduring twenty degrees below zero in a tent, or canoeing twenty-eight miles a day, I know that I will be able to do it, and nothing will stop me.”		“Montessori helped spur my desire to learn and keep learning. In fact, I have come to embody this now through everything I do. I say I have the ‘minor league syndrome’ where if I am not doing all that I can and pushing myself, my work product will inevitably suffer, I feel that this is the kind of drive, curiosity, and general keen attitude The Montessori School helps to cultivate.”

“In Montessori you had really great relationships with teachers who weren’t even your teachers. Everyone knows you and everyone cares. You don’t see that at other schools: you are classified into a grade, whereas at Montessori you are known for who you are.”		“Tough as those years were, I was able to overcome the challenges that I faced in a public middle school because of my Montessori background. The whole Montessori way of working together, overcoming obstacles, challenging yourself, working independently, helped me get through the rough years. Challenges are a part of life at any stage. How you move beyond them is the important thing.”