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"
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(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...
 

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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...

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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...

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Montessori, A Modern Approach
by Paula Polk Lillard

"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!)
 

"Ends the Montessori Mystique...
"If you are debating whether to put your child in a Montessori school or keep them there this a great
book to purchase. Our daughter is now entering 2nd grade at a Montessori school, and I wish I had
read this book sooner! It takes away the veil of educator mystque from around the method. Answer
questions I hear from people who criticize the method, and gives a basis and a history for the
Montessori method. It also talks about the whys and the where-fors that I never really got answered
by the teachers. Well worth the investment." (Amazon.com customer review.)

"This book examines Montessori in the context of current theory and practice in child development and early childhood development and early childhood education." --Nienhuis Books & Publications

From Book News, Inc.
"A balanced review of the research on the effects of the Montessori school
experience, strengths and weaknesses of the method, its history in the US,
and new trends."--Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

"A MUST HAVE if you want to understand about Montessori...
"I want to thank the author for writing such a clear and eye opening
book about the Montessori schools and methods it really helped answer
all of my questions about the Montessori world. As a parent my soon is
now getting closer to his 2nd birthday and I see that unfortunately
the traditional Day Cares are not the best answer for his personal and
academic growth." (Amazon.com customer review.) More...

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...

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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!)
 

"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 one
accord: 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.)
 

Children Who Are Not Yet Peaceful: Preventing Exclusion in the
Early Elementary Classrooms
by Donna Bryant Goertz