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Montessori Teachers Chatboard

Observing in a Montessori Classroom

by Deb

Oct 7, 2009

I completed my NAMC Montessori (6-9)training last year. I am currently hoping to observe in Montessori classrooms. What should I look for in the Montessori classroom to make sure it would be a nice place to work? Are there specific warm up strategies or morning work that each class begins with? Should I ask to see a teacher's plan books to see how I can format my own lessons or just go to observe and check out the school? Any advice from current Montessori teachers would be helpful!!

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NAMC - North American Montessori Center Dear Deb,

Connecting with the larger Montessori community can be a rewarding experience, especially when it leads to a positive exchange of ideas, experiences, and reflections: or, in other words, learning. Dr. Montessori was one of the first advocates for lifelong learning, and you can look forward to continuing to learn throughout your ...See MoreDear Deb,

Connecting with the larger Montessori community can be a rewarding experience, especially when it leads to a positive exchange of ideas, experiences, and reflections: or, in other words, learning. Dr. Montessori was one of the first advocates for lifelong learning, and you can look forward to continuing to learn throughout your entire career – from your mentors, students, colleagues, and school administrators. We are sure that many of your fellow Montessorians will offer practical and valuable guidance via this social network, and we are pleased to continue to support you by respectfully offering our suggestions to your posted queries.

Every Montessori school has its own philosophy, usually guided by core Montessori principles, as well as the school’s mission statement, objectives, and directives of its administration. We believe the qualities of a good school are as follows: First and foremost, meeting the individual needs of every student, and then, in no particular order, respecting each member of the school community, embracing challenges and diversity with grace and courtesy, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, collaboration, and mentorship, to name only a few. An interview is an excellent opportunity for both the prospective employer and employee to get to know one another. Whether applying for a paid or volunteer position, the internship and employment documentation and CD resources we include with our 6-12 Classroom Guide manual will be very helpful to you.

As discussed in our Classroom Guide, after morning greeting and housekeeping rituals, it is customary for elementary students to immediately commence the morning work period, eager to start the day’s work by choosing their own activities. The students will convene before lunch for a short time, referred to as group time, for collective discussions, organizing tasks, showing student work, or a group presentation. Of course, there can be much variation from class to class, school to school, with no rights or wrongs, only what is best for your students.

If given an opportunity to visit a Montessori classroom or volunteer in one, you will be amazed at how much you will learn through the simple act of observation – especially since this will become one of the most important responsibilities you will have as a Montessori teacher. Possibly more valuable at this point than reviewing the teacher’s daily/weekly/monthly plans, notes, records, mastery checklists, etc. is observing the students work with the material and each other, and scanning the individual entries of their subject and/or daily journals.

We hope this is helpful, Deb - wishing you all the best!

Oct 9, 2009

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