MONTESSORI

TRADITIONAL

• Teacher has an unobtrusive role in the classroom

• Teacher is the centre of the classroom as a controller

• Environment and method encourage self-discipline

• Teacher acts as the primary enforcer of discipline

• Mixed age grouping (vertical grouping)

• Same age grouping

• Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other

• Most of the teaching is done by the teacher

• Children choose their own order of work

• Children are allotted a specific time and order for the subjects

• Children set their own learning pace

• Instruction pace is usually set by the group norm

• Children work in a three year cycle

• Children work in a one year cycle

• Children discover concepts through self-directed materials and activities - usually on their own

• Children are taught concepts by the teacher - usually in a group

• Children spot their own errors from feedback from the materials

• The teacher points out errors

• Children reinforce their own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success

• Learning is reinforced externally by rewards

• Multi-sensory materials are available for physical exploration

• Fewer materials available for sensory development

• Children can work where they choose, move around and talk at will (without disturbing others)

• Children are usually assigned their own chair/desk

• Group participation is encouraged but never forced

• Group participation is often compulsory

• Physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs are of equal importance

• Emphasis falls on social and intellectual development

• All children are treated equally and have the same privileges

• Some children are placed above others and have more privileges (e.g. prefects)