One of the main differences between traditional American education and the Montessori method of education is the use of community and social skills in the learning environment. Maria Montessori believed, as was able to prove throughout decades of teaching and research, the children thrive in educational environments that allow them to build social skills while working on academic skills. Because children are active and social beings, it is imperative to allow them to gain a sense of camaraderie as they learn independently and in small groups. There are several different ways that Montessori schools in Minneapolis traditionally incorporate community and social skills within the academic setting.
One of the main ways that community is emphasized at Minneapolis Montessori schools is grouping children in varied age groups. Traditional schools in the United States group students only by age, so single grade levels contain only children of that age group. The Montessori classroom is different in that children are grouped in three-year intervals. The traditional Montessori intervals are 0-3 (though these are sometimes divided into infant and toddler rooms, depending on the school and student population), 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14. Many schools refer to these classrooms as infant, preschool, lower elementary, upper elementary, and adolescent rooms, but some other schools prefer to change the names to more descriptive or traditional names for the sake of transition between public school mentality and the Montessori method.
The purpose of dividing students into groups of three ages is to allow them the opportunity to learn from one another. Unlike traditional schools, Montessori classrooms are not arranged with single-person desks where students learn quietly as they are directed by a teacher. Instead, a student will work at his or her own pace, traditionally at a small rug on the floor or at a table with another group of students. Students are able to help one another when they are struggling, work together on specific assignments, or even teach small lessons to students who are ready to take on a new concept. Because there are three age levels within a single classroom, students learn how to become leaders as they age. By the time they get to the third year in a room, they are often able to help normalize the newer and younger students to the community and help with more tasks, simultaneously creating a greater sense of community and independence.
Montessori schools in Minneapolis and all over the world also promote social skills by teaching peace and cooperation. Maria Montessori believed that schools and education could play an important role in world peace as well as diplomatic relationships in adulthood. Teachers in Montessori classrooms spend a lot of time teaching how to collaborate, how to recognize the strengths of others, and how to disagree peacefully. Although socialization is a natural human need, it is not necessarily a skill that every person is capable of harnessing without experiencing it and watching modeling of appropriate behaviors. Montessori schools in Minneapolis will help students learn how to communicate with one another by providing experiences for them to teach one another, learn through playing, and even incorporating drama and theater into the curriculum.
One of the most important aspects of every Montessori classroom is the Peace Table. This is where students learn to communicate effectively, even when they disagree or have hurt feelings. The Peace Table is often an area in the classroom that has been designed to help students relax and feel more emotionally content. When students are engaged in a disagreement, they may go to the Peace Table together in order to sort out their differences without the help of the teacher. Many Montessori teachers provide scripts and other items to help children communicate their feelings in a safe and effective manner.
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