Montessori Mondays - Montessori Vs.

I want to share this wonderful list that we provide new and prospective parents at our school. I think for most people it offers a more concrete look at the Montessori method because it puts it in context of the educational system that is familiar to almost everyone. I should note that this comparison was provided by InfoDisc. Div of Software Holdings, 1000 Words & Pictures CD ROM. Enjoy!
Montessori Method vs. Traditional Method

1. Emphasis on cognitive and social development vs. emphasis on social development
2. Teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom vs. Teacher is center of classroom as "controller"
3. Environment and method encourage self discipline vs. Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline
4. Mainly individual instruction vs. Group and individual instruction
5. Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other vs. Most teaching is done by the teacher
6. Mixed age grouping vs. Same age grouping
7. Child chooses own work vs. Curriculum is structured for the child
8. Child discovers own concepts from self teaching materials vs. Child is guided to concepts by the teacher
9. Child works as long as he wishes on chosen project vs. Child is generally allotted specific time for work
10. Child sets own learning pace vs. Instruction pace is usually set by group norm
11. Child spots own errors from feedback of material vs. If work is corrected, errors are pointed out by the teacher
12. Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success vs. Learning is reinforced externally by repetition and rewards
13. Multi-sensory material for physical exploration vs. fewer materials for sensory development
14. Organized program for learning care of self and environment vs. Less emphasis on self-care instruction
15. Child can work where he chooses, move around and talk at will (yet not disturb the work of others); group work is voluntary vs. child usually assigned own chair: encouraged to participate, sit still and listen during group sessions
16. Organized program for parents to understand the Montessori philosophy and participate in the learning process vs. Voluntary parent involvement