Detailed Student Records Teachers keep meticulous records of each child’s lessons, projects, and progress. Therefore, teachers know who has had which lesson, who has mastered a lesson, who needs a repeat lesson, and who is ready for the next lesson.
Student Record Books (Journals) Elementary children also keep records in their personal record books. In these “journals” elementary children note when and what they worked on throughout each day. They specify, clarify, quantify and even beautify their journal entries. Thus, a child’s record book includes all subjects studied, lessons given, activities done, teacher/student conferences, and other classroom happenings such as quiet reading time and committee participation. The teacher frequently reviews each child’s journal – always in respectful collaboration with the child. Parents may consult the journals (with the child’s permission) to see what their children are doing in our rich, exciting classrooms.
Assessment of Knowledge and Progress Teachers have various diagnostic tools to assess student knowledge and progress. First, teachers easily observe each child’s understanding through the small group lessons given. Second, teachers assess work caliber and progress by observing a child helping another child with a lesson or giving a formal presentation to others. Third, elementary teachers often have informal discussions with the children and they may give individual written assignments to assess the child’s understanding of the concepts.
Regular Conferences with Each Child Elementary teachers meet regularly with each child to discuss work and work habits. Here, children have the opportunity to self-evaluate. They are encouraged to look critically at their work, identifying their own strengths and weaknesses. The teacher and child then collaborate about how to make improvements. In this way, satisfaction for work well done belongs to the child and if work is lacking, the child is aware and will take ownership to improve. If a child is to yet able to choose and produce work responsibly, teacher will give the needed direction.
Homework Elementary children are expected to read daily at home. Otherwise, there is no homework assigned because Montessori children work extraordinarily hard throughout the school day. They organize, manage their time and complete their daily work at school.
Grades and Testing There is minimal testing of an entire classroom and there are no grades at BAMH. Montessori education nurtures children to grow intellectually and to challenge and satisfy their natural desires to learn. Montessori education results in children who love to learn. However at BAMH third and sixth year elementary children take a standardized test. This test occurs at the end of the natural 3 year cycles of elementary. The primary purpose is to give the children the experience of testing. The tests provide a limited assessment of knowledge because they do not allow for using extended analysis, solving open ended problems, or displaying a command of complex relationships. Please note that although the children at BAMH test scores are consistently well above national averages, we do not post them because that sends the message to our community that we value the test scores in a different way than we do. Test scores are indicators of knowledge but cannot show what we value the most – the individual creative thinking ability of each child. If we posted our test scores, our parents, and even our teachers, may feel pressured, subconsciously or not, to concentrate on the low level rote memory skills that dominate standardized tests.
“Children with the most impressive learning are usually those who love to learn, not those who see learning as a way to get rewards like money or “A”s. Because tests and grades create external motivation (motivation brought about by outside factors not internally desires) they are unnecessary and potentially destructive to learning” (Kohn, 1999).
To read Additional Research on Grades and Testing (which summarizes points made by Alfie Kohn, a former teacher turned author of seven landmark books on education), click here.
Communication of Child's Progress to Parents The ultimate goal of Montessori is to enable the child to be an independent functioning human being. We want them to be in charge of their education. However, we realize that the parent is an important part of the communication triangle (child, teacher, parent). Communication between all three aspects of the triangle is imperative.
The communication between the teacher and the child is discussed on the Primary Class and Elementary pages.
The parent receives information on the child’s development through the following means.
- Your Child can provide a wealth of information about what they feel the most important part of their day was. Being available to listen rather than interrogate can lead to satisfying that all important question; “What did you do at school today?”
- Parent-Teacher Conferences are a special time set aside for the teacher to give you a status check on how your child is progressing in his self construction. The teacher has thoughtfully prepared talking points for the conference. Parents are encouraged to take notes on the discussion and may ask any questions that come up in the course of the conference. There are conferences offered in the fall and spring and parents are encouraged to attend these. Additionally, there is a third optional conference offered in the winter.
- Spontaneous Conferences are at the request of the teacher or parent. They occur when questions arise out of concern for the child. Parents may request a conference at anytime to discuss their child.
When the child leaves the school a permanent record is sent to the new school. The teacher compiles all the conference reports, student records and classroom assessments in a 7-8 page narrative (elementary) or 2 page narratives (primary) of the child’s progress. The narrative style gives the next school a comprehensive “picture” of the child, not only academically but it gives insight into the child’s personality and learning style. These cumulative records are well received by the schools our students go on to attend. A copy of this record is available upon request but please note all school records are handled according to your school contract.