Montessori/ Reggio comparison questions

These questions were inspired by an article that Leigh found that gave a breakdown comparing Montessori and Reggio schools:

1. How do Montessori and Reggio styles of child observation compare?
2. How do the teachers characterize their interactions with the child? What is the goal? To get more information, or to get them somewhere? Is the purpose of asking questions to learn about the child or to influence the child's learning process?
3. How much flexibility is in your curriculum? What influenced it? What disciplines are included? How is that decided?
4. How do you cater to/assess different styles of learning?
5. What do you think about the role of collaboration in learning? What do think about the role of independence in learning? Are your ideas based on the school's philosophy?
6. What do you see as advantages and disadvantages of your school's system of age grouping?
7. How has your school adapted its practice over the years?

Contacted/Contact Info for Waldorf Schools

This the list of the Waldorf Schools that I have contacted and have contact info for. The notes section will be updated as contacts/dates are confirmed!

1) Waldorf School of Lexington

Website: www.thewaldorfschool.org
Address: 739 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
Phone: (781) 863-1062
Email: Email composed through WSoL website
Contact Name: Tuija Voutilainen
Notes: Break was Feb 15-19th, 2010


2) The Cape Ann Waldorf School

Website: www.capeannwaldorf.org
Address: 668 Hale Street, Beverly
Phone: (978) 927-8811
Email: administrator@capeannwaldorf.org
Contact Name:
Notes:


3) Pine Hill Waldorf School

Website: www.pinehill.org
Address: 77 Pine Hill Drive, Wilton, NH
Phone: (603) 654-6003
Email: info@pinehill.org
Contact Name:
Notes:

Questions for Site Visits/Interviews

Hey Ladies,

I compiled a list of questions for the site visits and interviews. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it's some wonderings I was ruminating about :)

1) What tenets of [philosophy] do you believe in/adhere to most strongly? Are there any that you would never compromise even in a different learning environment? Ones that you find particularly effective?

2) How did you hear about [philosophy]? When?

3) Before this position, did you have prior experience with this or other Student Centered learning practices? If so, do you notice a difference in the way the students act, learn, express themselves, behave, interact between various philosophies including non-Student Centered “traditional” public education?

4) What other writers/educators/philosophers do you credit with your work in this field? Which most strongly? Why? (Are these writings in conversation with each other?)

5) What was your schooling like? Student Centered? Traditional public schooling?

6) Have you worked in or with other non-Student Centered learning environments?

7) Are there other Student Centered philosophies you find intriguing? Would you ever want to try a different teaching approach?

8) What is the reaction of colleagues outside of Student Centered learning environments? Is your work ever questioned or criticized? How do you respond?

9) Do you have any qualms with your current practice? If so, how would you change it or how do you address these challenges?

10) If you could give other educators one tip for classroom learning or classroom management, what would it be? One tip for parents? Public school administrators? Policy makers?

11) How do you think about your own practice/grow as an educator? Do you engage in Inquiry Groups, journal writing, seminars?

12) Are the students given opportunities to track their own progress? How so?

Our Independent Study Blog!

Hi, ladies! We can all visit and add to this blog with links, info, etc and have it searchable here. I can even take notes during our meetings straight to the blog. What do you think?
Leigh