Improve Your Montessori Lesson Planning

Montessori learning has become very popular over the last century because it helps children develop self-discipline, independence, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Due to its innovative nature, Montessori lesson planning may sound intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Let this article guide you on how to write a lesson plan for Montessori learners.

Back to Basics

Where better to start than with the words of Montessori's founder, Dr. Maria Montessori? According to her, the basis of a solid Montessori lesson plan includes:

• Conciseness: Lessons should be short and sweet. The better a teacher can get to the lesson's core, the more helpful it is for the child. Cut out excess and unnecessary language to provide the best guidance. 
• Simplicity: Craft a plan based on truth rather than entertainment. To avoid clouding the lesson, teachers should strip down teachings to their core truths that are essentially part of the topic (i.e., the topic is 'shapes', and there's a puppet show of puppets discovering shapes) should be discarded. 
• Objectivity: Giving the lesson should not be a performance, and learners should not be made to feel like they need to apply themselves to the task when they wouldn't usually. This does not help produce child-led learning.

When you look at the core motivation of Montessori (producing child-led learning), these tenets aren't surprising. The teacher shouldn't be positioned at the center of the activity. Instead, the child's processes should be at the center.

Elements of a Montessori Lesson Plan

After looking at the pillars of Montessori education, it's time to break down how to create a Montessori lesson plan. The most important elements an educator incorporates in their lesson plan are: titling the lesson, defining prerequisites, listing the main and bonus objectives, listing required materials, and planning the lesson's language and delivery.

The Importance of Meaningful Work

While lesson planning, the teacher should remember that the Montessori environment is meant to facilitate individual and self-directed learning. Include plenty of hands-on activities that encourage students to do. These activities should be meaningful, from setting the table to sewing to washing dishes, etc.

How to Create a Montesorri Lesson Plan

1: Choose a Lesson Title

Making a Montessori lesson plan starts with a simple step: choosing a title. Identify the new skill to which you will introduce the student, such as "identifying shapes.”

As a Montessori teacher, your goal is to give the child a foundation of practical life skills to develop self-sufficiency. As the child grows, they should become masters of their free time, not needing to rely on adults or authority figures to organize it. This independence will serve them all their lives.

2: Define the Prerequisites

Next, identify the skills the learner will need for the lesson and the knowledge they have previously mastered that will aid them with the lesson. This will help assess the child's readiness for new concepts and information. For example, ask:

• Does the student show adequate self-confidence to appropriate this new skill?
• Has the student already mastered the skills necessary to complete this new lesson?

Having personal knowledge of your students can help you identify issues in your lesson plan before you even begin teaching. Shy students may be hesitant to ask questions about the lesson. Other students may be willing to participate, despite the fact that they lack some of the skills to accomplish the lesson objective. While listing the prerequisites for your lesson, take time to ensure that each student's needs can be met along the way. 

3: List the Main Objective

Listing the main objectives will give the teacher and student clarity in the lesson. What is the lesson's primary goal? What knowledge should the child take away from the learning activity? Lesson objectives may look like an expansion of the title. Notably, the objective should include what the student needs to master by the end of the lesson. Thoughtfully match the Montessori lesson objectives with the learner's ability and interest.

You can also consider a bonus objective. For example, if the primary goal of the lesson is to group blocks of shapes, the bonus objective could be developing fine motor skills by gripping and placing the blocks.

4: List the Materials

Listing out the required materials will save you time (no need to rummage around) and lead to greater clarity. This important step keeps your classroom in alignment with the Montessori mindset: After all, everything has its place in a Montessori classroom, and listing materials helps keep your prepared environment in order. This is just one more way that you can become an effective teacher.

5: Plan the Lesson Delivery

The lesson delivery is where it all comes together. By the time you've reached this point in the Montessori lesson plan, you know your main learning objectives, the student's prerequisites, and the necessary materials. Allow yourself plenty of time to visualize how the lesson will unfold. Ask yourself questions, such as:

• Where will you deliver it in the classroom?
• How many students will require your attention?
• How will you model the new skills and information to individual students?
• What are possible questions that your students will ask and how will you answer them?

Performing a "practice-run" of your lesson is a great way to visualize and improve your lesson delivery. Practicing your plan can help you identify any gaps that you may have overlooked.

Lesson Planning at Your Fingertips

Montessori education software such as EDNA lets you coordinate lesson planning, record keeping, and progress analysis--all from a single platform. This Montessori lesson planning software gives you that which we value highly: clarity. Our goal is to free up more energy for you to then direct toward your learners as you maintain a safe and inclusive classroom. ENDA is ready to partner with you as you help build a lifetime of creative learning for your students. Contact us now to schedule your free demo!