|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
||
|
Q: Where is the school? A: The International Montessori School (IMS) is located in two campuses:
Q: What is your class size and student / teacher ratio? A: There are a maximum of 25 children in each classroom with two teachers. The student teacher ratio is 12.5:1. Q: Is there be transportation to and from school? A: Bus service runs for all locations on Hong Kong Island, including Outlying Ferry piers. Possible locations on Kowloon will be defined shortly. Fees for bus services will be collected by the bus service company. Q: Will the children wear school uniforms? A: Yes. Parents find that the school uniform is helpful, and that children wearing a uniform are less likely to focus on what another child is wearing, but on what he or she is doing. Q: How is IMS’ Montessori program different from traditional education? A: The Montessori program encourages active learning – learning through doing in a multi-sensory (touch, smell, sight, hearing, experimentation) prepared environment. Children learn best when their interest is engaged. The teacher’s job is to kindle the spark of interest in the child, so as to achieve the child’s maximum potential in all areas. The multi-age classroom has many advantages, as supported by recent research. This environment offers a better match for children’s uneven developmental patterns. A teacher is more likely to address differences in development within an individual child. There are no grade limits to restrict the very bright child. If, however, a child is having difficulty, the teacher will focus on this area with the child and ensure that the child is progressing. Older children are role models and teachers to the younger ones, and inspire the younger children to excel. They gain confidence and pride in their ability to help and reinforce their own knowledge and understanding of a subject. |
Children remember 20% of what they see, 30% of what they hear, and 70% of what they do, so the most effective learning will be in the doing. |
|
|
Montessori |
Traditional |
|
|
Active learning |
Passive learning |
|
|
Teacher engages child’s interest |
Teacher lectures to child |
|
|
Individualized lessons |
Group lessons |
|
|
Specialized equipment |
Books and some materials |
|
|
Multi-age group |
Single year age group |
|
|
Child works at own pace |
Group sets pace |
|
|
Environment and method encourage self
discipline |
Teacher is enforcer of discipline |
|
|
Q: How is IMS accredited? A: IMS is working with Montessori Centre International (MCI), and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) to gain accreditation. These bodies provide curriculum, teacher training, affiliation, accreditation and resources to Montessori teachers and schools world-wide. Q: How are the teachers selected? A: The teacher plays a critical role in a child’s education experience. IMS has looked all over the world to hire superb teachers with a passion for teaching. Each classroom has at least one teacher who is AMI, MCI, or AMS qualified. To be a certified Montessori teacher, the teacher generally holds an undergraduate degree and receives an additional year of training in early childhood education, psychology and the Montessori method. IMS’ Putonghua speaking teachers are teachers from China who are well versed in early childhood education, most of whom already have or are working to attain their Montessori teaching credentials while working at IMS. Q: How do teachers ensure that each child is achieving the minimum educational standards - and more? A: The Montessori program is very challenging, with no limits on what a child can achieve, but with expectations of what a child must learn. Throughout the Montessori program, the teacher and the student have a contract which defines what needs to be taught by the teacher and learned by the child, each week, month and year. Within those boundaries the child is encouraged to freely select materials that will support these learning objectives. Standardized test taking skills are important for the child. Testing is part of the IMS curriculum starting at age 6. IMS focuses on the relevant standard tests for the U.K. and U.S. Children have the opportunity to take the Stanford tests (U.S. standards) and the British National Curriculum exams each year. In addition, IMS has computer programs supporting core subjects, which offer standardized testing opportunities in a SAT format (Standardized Achievement Test used by U.S. Universities as a standardized entrance exam). Q: What Happens When a Child Leaves Montessori? A: Montessori children are unusually adaptable, especially those that have stayed in the program through age 12. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well. They also have been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others and good communication skills ease the way into new settings. Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is a sense of self-esteem. Montessori programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help children develop good self-images and the confidence to face challenges and change with optimism. A number of recent studies show the benefits of Montessori education: Q: How does your bilingual program work? A: Each classroom has two teachers: an English-speaking teacher and a Putonghua-speaking teacher. Chinese is taught within the Montessori context, with input from Montessori programs in Greater China and Singapore. The focus is on spoken language first, emphasizing communication. Character recognition is also emphasized at the earliest ages. Pin Yin is introduced once the child has a strong grounding in phonics. The multi-sensory environment fosters academic learning, while the child absorbs the language from the surrounding environment. Care has been taken to incorporate the best elements of the East and West to support respect for those cultures. Q: Does IMS accommodate Children with Special Needs? A: Yes, to the extent that we can meet the needs of the child and the other children. Generally, special-needs children and children learning a second language tend to do well in the Montessori program because children learn better in a “multi-sensory” environment, where they can hear, see, touch and experiment. Such children may need the assistance of a Shadow Teacher in the classroom. Q: What can I read to understand more about Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method? A: There are many wonderful books written about Montessori and her methods. http://www.montessoribooks.com.au/ is a good source of these books. Several favorites are:
Montessori in the Classroom: A Teacher's Account of How
Children Really Learn
The Secret of Childhood Maria Montessori describes the child with warmth and the exactness of a scientist. She also discusses the array of materials and techniques needed to release his learning potential.
One of the best books for anyone seeking answers to the questions: What is the Montessori method? Are its revolutionary ideas about education relevant to today's world? Paula Polk Lillard writes both as a trained educator and as a concerned parent -- she has many years as a school teacher, but it was her enthusiasm for the education her own child experienced in a Montessori school that led her to become a leading voice in the Montessori movement.
For more information contact: Admissions Office International Montessori School +852 2861-0339 fax: 852-3006-2950
|
Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out not by listening to words, but by experiences in the classroom. -- Maria Montessori
|
|
