| Conventional |
Montessori |
| Textbooks, pencil, paper and worksheets where teacher correct errors |
Prepared kinesthetic materials that are self-correcting |
| Working and learning without emphasis on social development |
Working and learning matched to the social development of the child |
| Group oriented, at groups pace or teachers pace |
Individualized, at a level consistent with the child’s abilities |
| Teacher motivated |
Motivated by self-development |
| Individual subjects |
Integrated subjects and learning based on developmental psychology |
| Activity cycles determined by set time |
Uninterrupted work cycles completed within child’s time |
| Single-graded classrooms |
Multi-age classrooms (3 year age span) |
| All children treated alike |
Recognition of individual sensitive periods |
| Teacher sets curriculum |
Child chooses materials |
| Students fit mold of school |
School meets needs of students |
| Teacher lectures |
Hands on learning: manipulating objects |
| Product-focused |
Process-focused |
