Authentic Montessori Classroom
As an American Montessori Society affiliate school, Green Tree Montessori is committed to the Five Core Components of an authentic Montessori classroom.
Trained Montessori Teachers
A Montessori Educator has completed the criteria for a specific age range and received a credential from the American Montessori Society (AMS) program.
Multi-Age Classroom
In a Montessori classroom, children are mixed together based on developmental stages. The benefit of these groupings allow for communal and individual learning. Younger children observe and learn from older children while the older children serve as role models, reinforcing their own learning through peer leadership. Multi-age groups are meant to model a familial structure instead of a traditional classroom.
Montessori Materials
Children use specially designed materials that are developmentally appropriate and encourage exploration and problem solving.
Child-Directed Work
Children are free to explore and follow their interests while the Montessori teacher follows the child and aids as needed. Children tend to be more engaged if given this opportunity. They may work individually or in small groups. The whole environment is designed to facilitate child-directed work in an orderly and age-appropriate manner.
Uninterrupted Work Period
The Work Period is an extended period of time, usually 2-3 hours in the morning, for children to work at their own pace within the classroom. During the Work Period, children follow their interests working with the Montessori materials, preparing food, caring for the physical space or classroom pets, and receiving lessons from the teacher.