OT - Dilemma re: Public School/Montessori

[who's ur daddy?]

My oldest just started Grade 1 in public school. He had been in Montessori before that. He claims he is bored. Last year, the Montessori school teacher had warned about the kids being bored in public school because the pace of learning is different. I never knew whether that was just marketing on her part (although she was only a teacher and not the owner of the school...).

In any event, anyone have kids who transitioned from Montessori to public school? My original intent was only to have the oldest one and younger one in Montessori until both of them were old enough to go to the same public school (youngest one is now in Jr. K). Montessori was a no brainer at the time when you compared regular day care to Montessori in terms of cost...

I'd love for them to have continued in Montessori, but dang that is like $15K after tax for the both of them. Anyone have some advice/experience to share?

 

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

Our daughter was in Montessori from the age of 2 1/2 until the end of grade 4. She entered the Catholic system in grade 5. Yes, she was bored, but she had some wonderful teachers who were willing to offer her "enrichment activities" that she really enjoyed. She is also very busy outside of school with playing two musical instruments and studying piano theory. We found that enriching outside of school is important too.

Good luck!

 

[the4moores]

My daughters have never been in Montessori but often reply that they are bored at school. I think if you ask most kids their reply would be that they are "bored". Both of my daughters do well in school and I try to touch base with the teacher often and make sure that they are being challenged. I think it all depends on the teacher as well. I guess good communication with the teacher and your son will help you decide but I would give it a chance at least.

 

[Tiger926]

Both kids have been in full day Montessori since 13 months old. We did half day Montessori and French Immersion public school last year, and we lasted 6 months, before we withdrew her. My DD is very bright, yet the kids in SK were struggling to write their names. We tried to impress upon her that all kids learn differently, but that's difficult to a just turned 5 year old who lives for scohol! She couldn't stand the fact that they played most of the afternoon at French school. She is in Montessori elementary this year and we struggle constantly about if and when to transition. I'm a teacher, so it's a hard decision. We have the finances for both kids, so that's not the issue, but knowing if and when to transition her is.

Good luck in your decision, Tiger

 

[dvcdisney]

My son was in a Montessori school for 3 years (Preschool, JK, SK). We had every intention of keeping him there until grade 3 (last year they offered), however, we had to move to another province which did not have any Montessori school in the whole area.

So, we put him in a regular private school. It was not good. When he left the Montessori, at the age of 5, he was already reading at a grade 2 level and he was doing multiplication and division, he knew all the provinces in Canada and all the countries in South America. At the end of Grade 1 at the private school, they were just doing addition and starting subtraction, and of course colouring and drawing pictures. My son came home with books with 3 to 4 word sentences. It was frustrating for us. We did however, of course, bought him more appropriate books for him to continue his reading at his level. However, the private school was more inclined to go with the pace of the kids who were falling behind and did not challenge those who were far ahead. So, he went to the public school after that year. Although it's not at the pace of the Montessori school, it was far better than an ordinary private school. We do also keep him busy with activities and teach him extra things that they are not learning at school. But, I think without that Montessori teaching, he is beginning to fall back at the same level as the public school. I can see that he no longer tries to strive for the next level of work since he isn't given it until all the students are on the level. I wish we could have kept him in the Montessori environment a little longer.

My daughter just started Kindergarten and without the Montessori influence, she can only read 3 or 4 letter words at this point. I have worked with her, but I always feel like she wasn't given that same opportunity. The teachers are saying that at this age, some children are just learning their letters and numbers. I will continue to work with her, but, it will definitely not be in the same level as a Montessori school. I feel a little bad for her. She seems so eager to learn like her brother, but I don't really know how to teach her.

Sorry, this went too long. This subject just strikes a chord with me.

 

[rella's fan]

Guess I'm in the minority these days but I've never understood why there is a big hurry for a 5 year old to learn grade 2 or 3 level work. It all balances out eventually (high school/ college). Play and creative experiences are a huge part of being a kid and you have the rest of your life to try to get ahead, JMO.

 

[damo]

Guess I'm in the minority these days but I've never understood why there is a big hurry for a 5 year old to learn grade 2 or 3 level work. It all balances out eventually (high school/ college). Play and creative experiences are a huge part of being a kid and you have the rest of your life to try to get ahead, JMO.

I agree. I've got two kids who are now in their twenties. My daughter was reading at age 3 and chapter books by age 5 (no Montessori) and son by 5 (again no Montessori). They were a little bored in school but like you say, the others soon catch up and really there was absolutely no benefit to this by the time they were in high school/university. They also will find kids of similar abilities.

They sure did love to read when they were little though and I don't think that it is ever a waste to teach them as soon as they are able. I thought it was very important that they remain in public school and learn to enjoy school and make the most of everything pushing past the bored part. It is a good opportunity to teach kids to put their own extra effort into everything so they are not bored. It is their own challenge. Being an overachiever has huge benefits in life.

Both kids are successful in what they are doing and neither regrets remaining in public school for their entire school years. I certainly don't regret the choices that we made for them.

 

[snickerboo]

My children never did Montessori but certainly work at the levels you describe (ie: ds is in grade one and can read chapter books like Captain Underpants).

I think it's important not to react to a child saying they're "bored". First of all, it's September so it's lots of review and most kids are going to find the work easy. Secondly, the teacher is still getting to know your child and his/her abilities. By next month, she'll know who needs a little more challenge than the basic curriculum. Teachers are used to extending the work to meet the needs of all the learners in their classes. No matter what school they attend, there will always be level 4 learners who need "more" and a good teacher will have no problem providing what those learners need.

There are pluses and minuses to both systems so I'd investigate before switching my child.

 

[rjan67]

My neice and nephew have just left Montessori for private school. My neice has adjusted well and is in Gr. 5. My nephew is in Gr. 7 and actually saw in June when they toured the school that he was behind in the French component. He had to study up in the summer. He is currently finding he has a lot of homework that he didn't have at Montessori. I would say he is not bored and he is a smart kid. It is an adjustment in the way they learn but as they approach middle school grades, it sounds to me as though there isn't as much variation in learning levels amongst children in the same grade as found in the earlier grades. JMHO.

 

[dvcdisney]

Guess I'm in the minority these days but I've never understood why there is a big hurry for a 5 year old to learn grade 2 or 3 level work. It all balances out eventually (high school/ college). Play and creative experiences are a huge part of being a kid and you have the rest of your life to try to get ahead, JMO.

I agree, there is never a need to push a child further than what they are able. When we put my son in a Montessori at the age of 3, we just wanted him to make friends, plays and possibly learn a few things. I did not expect him to go as far as he did. He was constantly eager to learn more things. The fact that they encouraged him (without pushing him) to go to the next level was what I appreciated. The more he went to school, the more he was eager. He absolutely loved school, he loved striving for the next level. I did not want this to change. I believe that all children at that school was given the opportunity to reach their potential (I know sounds mechanical, but it's true). The children were at different levels and they worked with each child at their own level. I don't believe they pushed any child further than their ability, it would be useless to do this since each step requires knowledge of the previous. They were quite clear with the parents, that each child will be at different levels and we all need to appreciate their ability.

My son has always been a happy child who enjoyed school, but for the time he was there, it was amazing. He came home ecstatic. He usually explains to me what he has learned. I didn't want this feeling to ever leave him. He continues to strive in sports and academics, however, it just seems he no longer wants to do more than he is required and that saddens me. It's difficult to explain. I believe he wants more, but is limited to do more. He does however, like to bring up facts that he's researched, so it does give me hope.

To get back to my point: He has always set his own pace. I would never want to push him more than he is able. And I believed this was the environment at his Montessori school.

Just wanted to add: The whole Montessori teaching was explained to us (as well, I did a little research at the time). The premise is that children can learn and absorb much more at a young age. I believe Montessori teaching involves hands on activities and understanding them through this concept. Obviously, young children learn more by doing/playing so it was a natural way to teach. I don't see why children can't play and learn at the same time and this is how the Montessori teaching comes into play. I was told that it is only very effective in the first half of elementary school (up to Grade 3 or 4) and after that, children will develop a more complex method of learning.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Have you talked to your childs teacher about your concerns? Our DS just started grade one as well and is a very advanced student. By the end of SK he was reading at a fourth grade level we were worried that he would be really bored in grade one. As a result of bringing our concerns to the school is was possible to set up special programs for Ds and keep him in a regular grade one class room with kids his age.