| Traditional Classroom |
Montessori Environment |
| Textbooks, pencil and paper, worksheets and dittos |
Prepared
kinesthetic materials with incorporated
control of error, specially developed reference materials |
| Working and learning without emphasis on social development |
Working and learning matched to the social development of the child |
| Narrow, unit-driven curriculum |
Unified, internationally developed curriculum |
| Individual subjects |
Integrated subjects and learning based on
developmental
psychology |
| Block time, period lessons |
Uninterrupted work cycles |
| Single-graded classrooms |
Multi-age classrooms |
| Students passive, quiet, in desks |
Students active, talking, with periods of spontaneous quiet, freedom to
move |
| Students fit mold of school |
School meets needs of students |
| Product-focused report cards |
Process-focused assessment, skills checklists, mastery benchmarks |
