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

Students leave for special help

Special help comes to students

Product-focused report cards

Process-focused assessment, skills checklists, mastery benchmarks