Service Learning Paper #2

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Recommended: The key elements of the Montessori approach

I am doing my service learning at it is a different type of school for several reasons. The school is based on the Montessori philosophy. It is a K-8 grade school. According to their website one of their core values is the three stages of the process of learning: “There are three stages of learning: (stage 1) introduction to a concept by means of a lecture, lesson, something read in a book. Etc. (stage 2) processing the information, developing an understanding of the concept through work, experimentation, creation. (stage 3) ‘knowing’, to possessing an understanding of, demonstrated by the ability to pass a test with confidence, to teach another, or express with ease.” I have seen this process at work in Dave’s class. When Dave starts a lesson or a new chapter in their textbook he will introduce a new topic or chapter by giving a short five to ten minute lecture or introduction to the chapter covering the main points. However, it is more of the introduction then a lecture. Next, he normally breaks up the class into small groups of two to five students. The students work on processing the information by working on worksheets that go along with the reading in the textbook or another activity worksheet such as finding names and places of famous landmarks in Minnesota and writing down the map coordinates on their worksheet. Finally, Dave ensures that they possess the knowledge that they have worked on in class by testing them on the chapter material with chapter tests after each chapter. This differs in some ways to the traditional model of learning. Many times teachers will lecture for the majority of the class period with students listening in a passive role and taking notes. The teacher may assign chapters to be read at ho... ... middle of paper ... ...lassroom setting. As the need for reform continues different ideas are being tried out in our school systems. Some have familiar names like Admissions Possible and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). However, some reforms my be about course content or learning styles. As we have learned in class there have been many reforms in the past, but reforms also take time to carry out. As our students change and their educational needs change schools, administrators and teachers will have to be on the front line embracing change and doing what is best for the student. Works Cited Cooper, Ryan. Those Who Can, Teach. 11th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. Print. "Montessori Philosophy." Welcome to Seward Montessori School. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. . "Dave Hedenstrom." Personal interview. 25 Feb. 2011.

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