The Montessori method of education is currently very popular in the United States in both public and private schools. It has become increasingly popular over the last two decades and has a strong focus on child-led learning and helping children develop independence.
Another popular educational approach in the US is the Common Core (or CC) method of education. This is a set of standards for K–12 public education in the US and has been adopted in most US states since 20 However, the two methods of education couldn’t be more different from each other and so it begs the question: does Montessori teach Common Core Math?
In this article, we will take a look at the differences between Montessori and Common Core education, analyze the math curriculums offered by Montessori schools and explain what Common Core Math is.
What is Montessori Education?
Montessori education is based on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician.
Montessori believed that children have an innate desire to learn and should be given the time and freedom they need to discover the world around them. Her method of education favored mixed-age classrooms, self-directed learning, and hands-on activities. In the Montessori classroom, students are given the freedom to explore a wide range of activities, from counting beans to art projects and even building their own self-sustaining ecosystems.
What sets Montessori apart from other educational models is its focus on the individual child and its emphasis on child-led learning.
What is Common Core Education?
Common Core, sometimes referred to as CC standards, is a rigorous set of educational standards developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Council of Great City Schools. These standards serve as the basis for most public school curriculum in the United States and aim to ensure that students across the country receive a high-quality education.
Common Core sets high standards on a range of topics, including math, language arts, social studies, and science. Unlike Montessori education, Common Core places a greater emphasis on rote learning and skills such as equation solving and standardized testing.
Does Montessori Teach Common Core Math?
The short answer is, no, Montessori does not teach Common Core Math. Montessori schools typically follow the Montessori math curriculum which was developed by Dr.
Montessori and her associates. This curriculum is based on the principles of Montessori education and is focused on encouraging children to explore and discover mathematical concepts using a hands-on approach. The Montessori math curriculum relies heavily on manipulation and abstraction, two concepts that are not generally emphasized in the Common Core math curriculum.
Montessori math materials are also designed to encourage children to find solutions to problems using the materialsavailable to them. This is in stark contrast to Common Core math, which focuses on teaching students specific equations and algorithms.
What is Common Core Math?
Common Core math is a learning approach based on the standards laid out in the Council of Chief State School Officers’ and Council of Great City Schools’ Common Core State Standards. These standards have been adopted by most US states and focus on building students’ problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. Common Core math encourages students to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts and equations through a rigorous and standardized curriculum.
This curriculum is divided into three parts: arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. It also focuses on teaching students the mathematics necessary to prepare them for college-level work.
Common Core math places an emphasis on equipping students with skills that will help them in the real world. This includes learning basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as well as understanding the relationships between geometric shapes and equations.
What are the Differences between Montessori and Common Core Math?
The biggest difference between Montessori and Common Core math is the approach to teaching mathematics. Montessori relies heavily on abstraction and problem solving while Common Core focuses on teaching students specific equations and algorithms.
Montessori also emphasizes hands-on learning, which encourages students to explore and discover mathematical concepts. For example, Montessori students may learn about addition and subtraction by counting beans or manipulating shapes. In contrast, Common Core math focuses on teaching students the specific equations and algorithms necessary to solve problems.
This means that rather than learning how to manipulate and explore shapes, numbers, and equations, students learn how to use a specific set of equations and algorithms to reach the correct solution.
What are the Benefits of Montessori Math?
There are several benefits of Montessori math, such as: Montessori math encourages hands-on learning and exploration, which helps to foster a greater understanding of mathematical concepts.
Montessori math allows children to work at their own pace, which helps to build confidence and self-esteem.
Montessori math encourages problem solving and critical thinking skills, which can help prepare students for college-level work.
Montessori math is based on the principle of mixed-aged classrooms, which allows children to learn from each other and build a sense of community.
What are the Benefits of Common Core Math?
Common Core math has several benefits as well, such as: Common Core math is rigorous and focused on helping students acquire the necessary skills for college-level work.
Common Core math courses focus heavily on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Common Core math encourages students to see mathematics from an applied and practical perspective.
Common Core math focuses on building skills such as equation-solving, which are beneficial to students both inside and outside the classroom.
Are Montessori and Common Core Compatible?
It is possible for Montessori and Common Core to coexist in the classroom, although there may be certain areas that require some adjustments. For example, some Montessori activities may need to be adjusted to align more closely with Common Core standards. Mixed-age classrooms are also more common in Montessori schools, so adjustments may have to be made in order to accommodate the different skill levels present in the classroom.
Additionally, some Montessori schools use different grading scales than the ones used in Common Core schools.
What are the Pros and Cons of Montessori and Common Core Math?
TheMontessoriandCommon Core methods both have their pros and cons. The pros of Montessori math include the focus on independent learning, the freedom to explore mathematical concepts, and the ability to work at one’s own pace.
The cons include the lack of focus on specific skills such as equation solving and the limited opportunities for assessment. The pros of Common Core math include the rigorous standards and emphasis on problem solving, critical thinking, and equation solving. The cons include the focus on rote learning and the potential for over-standardization.
Conclusion
The answer to the question “Does Montessori teach Common Core math?” is no. Montessori and Common Core math are two different approaches to teaching mathematics in the classroom.
While there is some overlap between the two, the approaches differ greatly in their emphasis and focus. Montessori math is focused on learning through exploration and manipulation while Common Core focuses on teaching students specific equations and algorithms.
Ultimately, the choice of which approach to use in the classroom depends on which goals the teacher and school is hoping to achieve. While Montessori may be better for building problem-solving and critical thinking skills, Common Core may be better for preparing students for college-level work.