| At
Cockatoo Montessori School, we are well aware of the
limitations of relying on traditional assessment methods
to assess a child's progress. Accordingly, we use many
techniques to guide the holistic development of each
child. Daily assessment of the children's readiness
to move forward is undertaken through different types
of observations. Children of 6-12 years record the work
they have undertaken in a special diary. This is used
in conjunction with portfolio development, self assessment,
conferencing and other techniques to investigate progress
and plan future work.
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Reports
are offered at the end of Terms 2 and 4, with
optional discussions in Terms 1 and 3. We believe
parents should be able to observe the work of
their children themselves and encourage appointments
for classroom observations.
Montessori
used to say that the greatest sign of success
appeared when the children began to work as if
the teacher did not exist.
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By
removing obstacles in the path of the child's development,
we discover a new child, who acts with mind, body and
spirit in harmony to further his or her own education.
Montessori referred to this child as 'normalised'.
'The
crowning characteristic of a group of normalised children
is joy. It pervades the little community like a perfume;
and it is as hard to describe as it is easy to perceive.
This joy which shines in the children's faces, and indeed
in their whole demeanor is something more than pleasure
or the happiness of being entertained. Like ... concentration
... it is a deep and mysterious emotion. It is in fact
the joy that nature always grants as the accompaniment
of the right use of our faculties. It is the joy which
comes with acting in obedience to the
laws of our nature.'
E.M. Standing, Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work |
