Montessori books about Montessori
education and methodolgy
Basic Montessori:
Learning Activities for Under-Fives by David Gettman
From Library Journal
"Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was a brilliant
and original educator. Her work with children stressed the importance of
autonomy as an educational goal. Renewed interest in her philosophy and
teaching methods and the clear format of this book make it a good choice...
There is detailed information on her philosophy and an in-depth explanation
of her teaching methods. Coverage of practical, sensorial, cultural, mathematic,
and language activities includes a statement of the activity's purpose,
materials needed (and suggestions on how to make them at home), and exercises.
A good reference tool for everyone wanting to know more about or intending
to try the Montessori method whether they are parents, teachers, or day-care
personnel."--Annette V. Janes, Hamilton P.L., Mass. Copyright 1987 Cahners
Business Information, Inc.
"Basic Montessori opens the celebrated
philosophy and method to a more general public for the first time. It clearly
explains her ideas and provides a step-by-step guide to the Montessori
learning activities most commonly used with under-fives - and even shows
how to work with a child at home. No parent or educator should miss out
on her marvellous insights into how young children learn." (Amazon.com
customer review.) More...
"Charting the progress of 12 children
in a real Texas classroom, educator Donna Goertz shows how positive change
can occur given the proper environment. In each case she describes a child's
transformation from destructive troublemaker to responsible citizen of
the classroom community. Readers will learn how to apply Montessori methods
to virtually any early elementary environment."--Product Description
"This is a great portrayal of the Montessori
educational philosophies. It profiles students considered challenging in
traditional educational systems and shows how they were welcomed and thrived
in the Montessori school. It shows how traditional educational systems
based on competition have failed many young students. The author is a fantastic
teacher and advocate for the success of all children. Must read for all
parents considering Motessori or Waldorf. Also for parents of children
who have been labled at an early age."(Amazon.com customer review.)
The Essential
Montessori: An Intro. to the Woman, the Writings, the Method, and the Movement by E. Hainstock
"An introductory source for the
newcomer to Montessori, including a directory of information sources."--Nienhuis
Books & Publications
"A young Italian woman named Maria Montessori
developed theories about childhood education that have had widespread influence
on teaching methods around the world. This revised edition of the authoritative
work on the Montessori method is a goldmine resource for programs and materials,
an invaluable introductory for the newcomer, and a fine general review
for those already familiar with Montessori."--Ingram
More...
"Lillard's account is the best
to date. She has a sensitive understanding about how and why Montessori
methods can work so superbly."--Chicago Tribune
"An historical, philosophical and practical
guide to the Montessori curriculum." --Nienhuis Books & Publications
"Provides an intelligent guide to the famous
philosophy and method, and answers many questions parents and teachers
may have."--Choice
About the Author
"Paula Polk Lillard is the author of Montessori
Today and Montessori in the Classroom. She is cofounder and director of
the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff, Illinois."
More...
(You can always change your mind!)
Montessori Educational
Material for Early Childhood and Schools by editors Thomas Muller and Romana
Schneider
Book Description
"In 1907, Italian educator and physician
Maria Montessori introduced a revolutionary method for teaching young children
of Rome’s working class. Today, there are thousands of Montessori schools
throughout the world. This book, one of the first to include original photographs
of the first Montessori schools in Germany, Austria and America, explores
the main aspects of her theory of education, focusing primarily on the
learning materials that are so critical to carrying out Montessori’s philosophy."
(Amazon.com editorial review.)
From the Publisher
"A classic Montessori School classroom
is a place of serenity, order and calm, where children can move about independently,
choosing their activities from shelves of specially designed blocks, beads,
puzzles, and other equipment. In four detailed essays and a number of short
explanatory texts, this book explores the architectural and aesthetic importance
of these classrooms; the effect they had on the lives of children in pre-WWII
Germany; how the Montessori method blended with the culture..." (Amazon.com
editorial review.)
More...
(You can always change your mind!)
Montessori from the
Start: The Child at Home from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard (Author of Montessori
Today, Montessori in the Classroom, and Montessori: A Modern Approach)
From the Back Cover
“A major and timely contribution to the
early childhood years—anecdotal, rich in insight and experience, practical
and useful. This informed, careful, and intelligent response to the unfolding
of personality will peak parents’ interest as they learn how to establish
healthy, enjoyable, and sustaining relationships with their children. A
must for parents-to-be, nannies, and care-givers.” —Virginia McHugh Goodwin,
Executive Director, Association Montessori International, U.S.A.
About the Author
"Paula Polk Lillard and her daughter,
Lynn Lillard Jessen, co-founded the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff,
Illinois, a Montessori school for children through the eighth grade. Paula
is the principal of the school, and she and Lynn teach the parent child
course, a workshop for parents on the Montessori approach for children
from birth to age three. They live in Lake Forest, Illinois."
(You can always change your mind!)
Montessori: The
Science Behind The Genius by ANGELINE STOLL LILLARD
"A Must-read for Parents and Educators"
"Lillard's thorough and readable treatment
of Montessori brings together 100 years of practical wisdom with the most
recent psychological research findings. It is not easy to find clear, accurate
descriptions of Montessori teaching and learning; and even harder to find
accessible explanations for the complex theory that underlies Montessori
practice. This book does both. For those of us who have always wondered
what was going on at the Montessori school in our neighborhood, Lillard's
lucid prose provides a window into the classroom. And for those parents
as well as as educators who wonder whether the method really "works," Lillard
not only explains how, but produces evidence for why."--Reviewer: J. Cossentino
(Williamsburg, VA USA)
"I believe your book is an indispensable
resource for Montessori teachers and for any non-Montessori teachers and/or
administrators who want to know how and why Montessori works so well with
children. For Montessori teachers, it provides the validation of principles
that are sometimes abandoned in Montessori classrooms to appease parents,
administrators, or the teacher's own insecurities. For non-Montessori educators,
it offers a rationale for what we do in terms that they can understand
and a wealth of non-Montessori research to back up our classroom practice.
It's quite a convincing book for both audiences!--Michael Duffy, co-author
of "Children ol the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Classroom"
More...
(You can always change your mind!)
Montessori
Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood by P. Polk Lillard
"Paula Polk Lillard brings to
this volume a wealth of knowledge about the child from age six to twelve.
There are 16 photographs from elementary classes. In detailed accounts
of both theory and practice of Montessori methods, the author shows how
children acquire the skills to answer their own questions, learn to manage
freedom with responsibility, and maintain a high level of intellectual
curiosity." (Child of the World, 2002-2003 edition, a Michael Olaf
company.)
From (Amazon.com) Booklist
"Lillard, author of Montessori:
A Modern Approach (1988) and cofounder of a respected Montessori school
in Lake Bluff, Illinois, describes the Montessori approach and sketches
its application from preschool through early adulthood in this short but
thorough volume. After a brief discussion of the origin and implications
of Montessori's theories about child development, the author surveys the
primary years and the stories and lessons that are most appropriate to
this stage of development; analyzes the elementary classroom and teacher
from both theoretical and practical perspectives, complete with anecdotes
from her own and other Montessori teachers' experiences; and moves into
less familiar territory to describe the impact of Montessori's theories
on education at the middle school, secondary school, and college
levels. Montessori Today will be a useful tool for parents analyzing educational
alternatives as well as for students who may be thinking about a career
in education." --Mary Carroll
Book Description
"Paula Lillard, director of a Montessori
school ranging in age from 18 months to fifteen years, provides a clear
and cogent introduction to the Montessori program for the elementary and
later years. In detailed accounts, Lillard shows how children acquire the
skills to answer their own questions, learn to manage freedom with responsibility,
and maintain a high level of intellectual stimulation by using the Montessori
method. This is an essential handbook for parents and teachers who have
chosen the Montessori alternative for the older child." (Amazon.com editorial
review.)
From the Back Cover
"Paul Lillard is an excellent guide to
Maria Montessori's key ideas and to the place of Montessori education in
contemporary society."--Howard Gardner, author of Frames of Mind
"Children's schools shape their lives,
intellects, and worldviews. This clear guide to Montessori education today
will help parents to consider the Montessori alternative for their child."
--Jane M. Healy, author of Your Child's Growing Mind
"FINALLY! MONTESSORI EDUCATION AFTER AGE
6!,
"This book was extremely informative on
what you should expect from your montessori school for your children over
age 6 (it also described before age 6 but there are many books on the 3-6
age group for Montessori). I have found it very difficult(until this book)
to find out what the montessori education has to offer over traditional
education after age six. Boy was I blown over at the difference between
the Montessori theory/practice over the traditional form of schooling.
It seems almost cruel to ever put your child in traditional public schools
that still teach children to take a submissive role. I urge everyone to
please read this book. Learn about the Five Major Lessons and the positive,cooperative,
interactive approach to education/life." (Amazon.com customer review.)
More...
"A series of ten lectures delivered
in London in 1961 at the Institute for the Comparative Study of History,
Philosophy and the Sciences. Includes lectures by Mario Montessori, J.G.
Bennett, C. Williams, Rev. A. Bittleston, A.I. Polack, Maung Ji, and Father
H.S. Thwaites."--Nienhuis Books & Publications
"What Our Children Really Need
"The inspiring and sometimes inspired
messages from these talks by men from Montessori, Fourth Way, Buddhist,
Roman Catholic, Jewish, Quaker, and Subud backgrounds are surprisingly
of oneaccord: We risk poisoning our children with our over-weening efforts
to "give them" what we scarcely can claim to possess ourselves. Rather,
our role, according to a broad concensus ascertained here, is to put our
own inner lives in order that we might see clearly the balance of structure
and freedom necessary to let the child's spirituality mature naturally.
Clearly, Mr. Bennett understood developmental psychology well and could
himself recognize the stages in a child's inner as well as outer development,
as well as articulate what is crucial in each stage."--T J McCarthy (Amazon.com
customer review.)