Compare Montessori vs Traditional Education

Montessori Education	“Traditional” education
Prepared kinesthetic materials with incorporated control of error, specially developed reference materials	Textbooks, pencil and paper, worksheets and dittos
Working and learning matched to the social development of the child	Working and learning without emphasis on social development
Unified, intentionally developed curriculum	Narrow unit-driven curriculum
Integrated subjects and learning based on developmental psychology	Individual subjects
Un-interrupted work cycles	Block time, period lessons
Multi-age classrooms	Single-graded classrooms
Students active, talking, with periods of spontaneous quiet, freedom to move	Students passive, quiet, in desks
School meets needs of children	Students fit mold of school
Special help comes to students	Students leave for special help
Process focused assessment, skills, checklists, mastery benchmarks	Product-focused report cards