“I wish I had Montessori as a kid,” is often the comment that many parents whose kids are at Battle Creek Montessori Academy say after seeing the results of their child’s educational experience.
What do Montessori students do all day and what sets is apart from traditional education?
Students at Battle Creek Montessori learn through student choice in work. Students have guidelines for what needs to be done daily; however, other than the whole class, small group, and individual lessons, students choose what they work on, and when.
So, when parents ask their student what they did all day, often the student only replies “works.”
Works are what Montessori students call their learning activities. Each day, students have extended periods of time, called a work cycle. They choose works from the areas of math, language arts, science, social studies. Teachers, or guides, help students choose which area of focus they will work on daily, as well as the tasks they will complete.
These works often involve manipulatives which help students learn and understand concepts tied to the Common Core State Standards for each grade level. Because so many works involve manipulatives, often there are minimal pencil and paper products of student work, which means there is minimal homework and typically nothing to bring home.
Students use a work plan to guide their choices during the work cycle. As they complete works, the teacher or teacher aide signs off on the completed work. The student then moves onto the next activity. This provides the students with timely feedback regarding their work, and the opportunity for the teacher to correct any misconceptions the student has.
Students reflect on their work accomplishments daily/weekly. Often these work plans are collected and stored in the student’s file for the year, easily accessible to both teacher and parents. The process of student reflection helps empower students to take charge and set goals for their own learning.
This process of the work cycle, choosing work, completing work, getting feedback and reflection helps students in the Montessori school prepare for life as active learners.
Trust the process and you will see the product. Battle Creek Montessori is a loving and engaging community. Parents are part of the learning process too. They partner with the teachers and have easy access to see what is happening daily.
If you are looking for a school where individualized learning is found, then you have found the right place at Battle Creek Montessori Academy.
Come take a look and maybe you will be along with many other parents saying, “I wish I had a Montessori education as a kid.”