Trisha Thompson-Willingham has Montessori training at three levels and 30 years’ experience as a guide, special educator, literacy specialist, principal, board member, and state group leader.

Susan Zoll is a researcher, consultant, and advocate of Montessori education, and recipient of the American Montessori Society’s Impact Award. [...]

Contents

Foreword Erica Moretti  xi

Acknowledgments  xiii

1.  Introduction  1

2.  Overview of Montessori Education  4
Dr. Maria Montessori  4
The Learner: Human Development and Flourishing  6
Three Theoretical Models of Human Development  9
The Adult in the Classroom  18

3.  Montessori 0–3 Environments  23
Two 0–3 Classroom Vignettes  23
The Infant-Toddler in the 0–3 Montessori Classroom  27
Environmental Response to Developmental Needs (0–3)  31
How the 0–3 Montessori Classroom Supports Physical Development  32
How the 0–3 Montessori Classroom Supports Cognitive Development  38
How the 0–3 Montessori Classroom Supports Character Development—Purpose and Social Intelligence  39
The Role of the Adult in the 0–3 Classroom  42

4.  Montessori 3–6 Classrooms  46
The Child in the 3–6 Classroom  47
Environmental Response to Developmental Needs  49
How the 3–6 Montessori Classroom Supports Physical Development  55
How the 3–6 Montessori Classroom Supports Cognitive Development  58
How the 3–6 Montessori Classroom Supports Character Development—Kindness and Curiosity  64
The Role of the Adult in the 3–6 Classroom  68

5.  The Montessori 6–12 Classrooms  72
Two 6–12 Classroom Vignettes  72
The Elementary Student in the 6–12 Classroom  76
Environmental Response to Developmental Needs (6–12)  77
How the 6–12 Montessori Classroom Supports Physical Development  84
How the 6–12 Montessori Classroom Supports Cognitive Development  86
How the 6–12 Montessori Classroom Supports Character Development—Grit and Gratitude  91
The Role of the Adult in the 6–12 Classroom  94

6.  Montessori 12–18 Classrooms (Middle and High School)  100
Two Adolescent Classroom Vignettes: Middle School and Secondary  101
The Adolescent Student in the 12–18 Classroom  107
Environmental Response to Developmental Needs (12–18)  110
How the 12–18 Montessori Classroom Supports Physical Development  111
How the 12–18 Montessori Classroom Supports Cognitive Development  113
How the 12–18 Montessori Classroom Supports Character Development—Judgment and Proactivity  116
The Role of the Adult in the 12–18 Classroom  119
Montessori Alumni Reflections  122

7.  Expanding Our View: The Montessori Ecosystem  126
Closing and Next Steps in Montessori Education  130

References  133

Appendix: Montessori Constellation  143

Index  147

About the Authors  153