Student-Led Model
Understanding the best classroom model for your child
Why ICA Follows the Child
Independence and Creativity
ICA offers a montessori-inspired environment focusing on innovation in technology, medicine, and humanities. We base our instructional strategies on the "follow the child" and later "follow the teen" montessori approach because:
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It's based on helping the natural development of the human being
Children learn at their own pace and follow their own individual interest
Children teach themselves using materials specially prepared for the purpose
Child is an active participant in learning
Understanding comes through the child’s own experiences via the materials and the promotion of children’s ability to find things out for themselves
Learning is based on the fact that physical exploration and cognition are linked
Child can work where he/she is comfortable, move around and talk at will while not disturbing others
The teacher works in collaboration with the children
The child’s individual development brings its own reward and therefore motivation
Environment and method encourage internal self-discipline
Child works as long as he/she wishes on chosen project
Uninterrupted work cycles
Mixed age groups
Working and learning matched to the social development of the child
Shared emphasis on intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development
Shared focus on the acquisition of academic, social, practical and life skills
Traditional and Common Core
One of Many
Based on the transfer of a national curriculum
Children learn from a set curriculum according to a time frame that is the same for everyone
Children are taught by the teacher
Child is a passive participant in learning
Learning is based on subjects and is limited to what is given
Children sit at desks and learn from a whiteboard and worksheets
Child is usually assigned own chair and encouraged to sit still and listen during group sessions
The class is teacher led
Motivation is achieved by a system of reward and punishment
Teacher acts as primary enforcer of external discipline
Child generally given specific time limit for work
Block time, period lessons
Same age groups
Working and learning without emphasis on the social development of the child
Main emphasis on intellectual development
Overall Montessori Benefits
Summary of Impact
Montessori students have:
More interest in learning
More self discipline
Have a greater understanding of truth and fairness
More creativity, especially in their writing
More independence and sense of personal responsibility
Understand how they meaningfully fit into the world around them
A better understanding of concepts from grammar and story structure to mathematical operations, algebra and geometry
Have a deep understanding of and how geography, history, social studies, and science are all related
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Sources: AMS, MontessoriAnswers.com, Montessori.org.au