Our public school district has two Montessori school that would also offer my daughter the resources that she needs. There is also an Applied Learning School in the district. I also uncertain if the classes would not be structured enough or my daughter. We are at such a loss right now. We also have a 2 years old son who had a massive brain hemorrhage while I was pregnant so he is serverely, multi-handicapped. He will begin school next year at a special school. So I will be having an IEP and ARD for both of them.
If anyone has any input we would greatly appreciated it.
Thanks
Lori C.
Re: Montessori option-thank Jenny
Montessori was a good choice for my LD son. He stayed two years in the program (4 yr and Kindergarten) and we would have kept him longer but that’s as far as the school went.
He learned to read in a systematic, multisensory phonetic way which is exactly the way LD kids need to be taught. It was done gradually over the 2 years and he never felt he was in competition because different kids do different things in the classroom. Because Montessori classrooms are generally mixed ages, it’s easier for a “slower” learner to not feel stressed and behind. It’s also generally very hands on concrete learning which is also good for LD kids (ie multisensory).
But I also agree that the teacher makes a world of difference so go observe the school and the teachers.
Re: Montessori option-thank Jenny
I responded to your post on an earlier thread but one thing I forgot to mention is that I’m Montessori trained. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Feel free to email me but put Montessori in the subject field. I’m ruthless with the delete key if I’m not sure who sent the email.
A GOOD Montessori program is VERY structured… it’s just not the same type of structure seen in a traditional classroom. Remember, Maria Montessori developed her system to help children many of whom probably would have been labeled as “LD” now-a-days. They were kids that were considered “uneducable” in the typical schools of the day. Maria Montessori astounded everyone when these children eventually surpassed thier peers in testing.
Many of the materials in standard use in the Montessori classroom are the same materieals and activities that are used in educational therapy and remedial programs. They work on developing the basic skills that can then be built on. Another big advantage is that children stay with the same teacher in a multi-age classroom for 3 years. There aren’t as many transitions, and the teacher gets to know the child very well in that period of time. ALL lessons are taught either individually or in small groups, and children can stay with one activity for as long as they need to to feel proficient.
If there is one “problem” inherent in Montessori, it is that all the children are working on different things at different times. A good Montessori classroom is organized and calm, but quietly busy. Some children that are extremely distractible may have trouble with the fact that their neighbor isn’t doing just what they are. But that kind of child is likely to be distractible in any environment that isn’t a closed box.
Any program is only as good as the teachers, however. I’ve spent a lot of time in Montessori classrooms (11 years combined between my two kids) and I’m a strong believer in the Montessori method. But I’ve also seen chaotic Montessori classrooms where it amazed me that ANY child could learn anything. But then again, I’ve seen some horrendous traditional classrooms as well. Definitely consider the program, but also definitely check out the classroom and the teacher.
Karen