Homeschooling, Montessori

<grinning> There was a similar Q just yesterday... So I hope you don't mind but I'm going to cut and paste :)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/playschool6/ is a Montessori Homeschool Message Board on yahoo groups that's really amazing. They do MM homeschool across the age spectrum, but there's also another sistergroup specific to preschool aged kids... but I'm not on that board, so I don't have the address.

Another worth checking out is MontessoriMakers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montessorimakers/ which is specific to making your own MM materials.

Both groups have been extraordinarily helpful in my own journey. :) :) :)

Both are also moderated... so if you don't have one already, you would need a YahooID (free), and then it takes up to about a day to recieve approval to join.

My favorite Montessori HS Resources:

http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2009/07/montessori-links.html

http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/the-ultimate-po...

http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/

http://www.montessorimaterials.org/index.html

http://www.freemontessori.org/

http://www.nienhuis.com/index.php

http://www.montessorird.com/index2.php?cPath=1&amp;osCsid...

So too, if you like Maria Montessori... you'll also probably really like Charlotte Mason. (We do a 40/40 split between MM & CM in our house, with the remaining 20% being wildly eclectic). Here's some more info:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/what-is-the-charlo...
http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/charlotte-...
http://www.amblesideonline.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SecularCM/ (there are religious CM groups... but as we're secular -CM is simplicity to secularize- this is the group I know best)

Cheers!
R

I disagree with Vikki that they learn to relate to peers with respect in a Montessori school, but won't learn at home. My experience has been the exact opposite. I worked in a Montessori school for a while and respect for peers was not what I witnessed. On the other hand, I have homeschooled my children for the past 12 years and I constantly am told how respectful my children are AND how wonderful they are with other children. My oldest 2 children (out of 6) are now in college and are both in national honor societies through their colleges.

I think you'll not only save $, but you will be building a strong relationship with your child(ren). Homeschooling isn't always blissful, don't get me wrong. It's like parenting: you have your good days and you have your bad days. Having a good support group can be a big help in getting you through the rough spots. You might want to check out a local homeschool group for information in your area. Here is one in Denton: http://dchsa.org/

Best Wishes!

I would suggest saving a "little money" some other way. Good Montessori schools give your child something they can't get anywhere else - relating to peers with respect. They won't learn that through homeschooling, which is probably the worst choice you could make.

Vikki

I have to disagree that by homeschooling your children they won't get any peer interactions. Homeschooling can be very effective and can allow the child to pursue individual interests because the parent can tailor the teaching. As long as there are playdates and outings, then the child will get interaction. And really...the only time you are completely immersed in an environment where you are surrounded by people of your own age is in the standard school setting. The rest of life we are immersed in a society made up of people of all different ages - and it's there that we must learn to interact.