Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Good book when deciding on education June 2, 2008
This was a really useful book for me in deciding on whether to put my child through the traditional or Montessori system. It has impartial anaylsis of data received through, albeit small scale, comparative studies. I guess not many parents want their children put through research studies, so the information is largely focussed on special education scenarios (poorer populations undergoing Montessori programs) rather than large cross sections, and there is an open admission of the nature of the sample groups which does imply that broader and larger studies would be more helpful.
Despite this, the data is anaylsed and the author makes good assumptions on the ouput. The questions asked in the book relate to the exact questions I had about trad v's alternative schooling so it was a perfect book for me.
 Good book, very informative...some flaws. January 5, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Montessori Controversy is a very informative and helpful book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I learned alot from it, but there were some things, unfortunately, that I didn't like about the book that I thought I would share with everyone.
My first problem with the book is with its appearance and construction. I was a bit bothered by the fact that the pages looked a bit like they were photocopied. The photographs of the children inside the book were black and white, very blurry and poor quality. I don't understand why such an expensive book wouldn't include colored photos...I thought the binding was terrible too. You have to be gentle with the book, don't fold the pages over like I did or you'll weaken the binding and the pages will come out (it happened to me).
My second problem was with the content. Although it was very informative, I thought it was a bit unbalanced. I would have appreciated it if the author had included more information on the 0-3 infant classroom. He kind of ignores it and focuses primarily on the preschool students and the preschool classroom (the 3-6 age group). It was a bit disappointing since I'm pretty much interested in learning more about all age groups.
Last, but not least, my third problem is with the price. I think the book is a bit overpriced...it's not worth the $67.00 that it's priced at, not with those flaws.
My advice to you would be to check to see if your library has a copy of the book before you decide to purchase it. The Montessori Controversy is a book that's definitely worth reading...whether or not it's worth buying...I'm not so sure. Anyhow, good luck.
I've given the book three stars.
 Great book -- the most informative out there June 1, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'm thinking this is a college textbook or something -- I'm betting folks in Early Childhood Education courses are reading this one. If they're not, they should be. While it is a wonderful book, it is incredibly pricey. My local library carried it, and I'd recommend checking it out there first.
That said, I can see this is the kind of book one would refer to over and over again. It is meaty in its content, and cites actual studies about Montessori education. Its a winner, and a great (albeit somewhat dry) read about the method and how it works in young children.
If you have a background, or some knowledge in other educational theories and practices, I'd bet you'd find this even more compelling and far more interesting than the very basic books out there by Lillard.
Happy reading!
Polemic, but enlightening April 7, 2005
33 out of 36 found this review helpful
First, the author is not a disinterested and objective party --- he is a strong advocate for the Montessori method.
That said, there is a place and a need for Montessori advocacy. Montessori was a mystery to me before I read this book, and the author did his job of advocating and demystifying Montessori well.
Chattin-McNichols does not go into too much detail about the method itself, but rather surveys the scant studies of the effects, describes the history, and explores the state of Montessori in the United States today. In this way, he gives the reader more of a gut understanding of what Montessori is all about and what they can expect from it.
The goal of Montessori is not, nor was it ever, to produce super-geniuses. Instead, children who go through Montessori are supposed to become self-assured and well-adjusted individuals who know how to learn on their own, enjoy learning for their whole lives, and who learn at their own pace. This, I think, is a more admirable goal.
The prose-style of the book was clear enough. Due to all the references, footnotes and citations, however, this book has a very academic feel to it. It was almost as if I were reading someone's thesis for their Master's of Education degree. This doesn't detract from the book's quality --- it just gives it a different feel. And it certainly supplied me with a lot of other sources from which I can learn more.
Ends the Montessori Mystique August 23, 2002
28 out of 31 found this review helpful
If you are debating whether to put your child in a Montessori school or keep them there this a great book to purchase. Our daughter is now entering 2nd grade at a Montessori school, and I wish I had read this book sooner! It takes away the veil of educator mystque from around the method. Answer questions I hear from people who criticize the method, and gives a basis and a history for the Montessori method. It also talks about the whys and the where-fors that I never really got answered by the teachers. Well worth the investment.
|
