003: How Do We Know When Elementary Students Are Ready for Abstraction?

For parents and teachers alike, one of the biggest draws to the Montessori method is our use of materials. They’re beautiful, they’re engaging, and they help students learn abstract concepts in a concrete way. But how do you know when your students are ready for abstraction, and when they are ready, how do you make the transition?

In this episode, we’re explaining how to decide whether or not your students are ready for abstraction. We’ll share tips for transitioning from concrete to abstract learning and what to do if some of your students aren’t quite ready to make the leap. Plus, we’ll break down the steps for getting students to set down their materials and pick up their pencils.

What’s in this episode:

• Why so many parents are drawn to the material aspect of Montessori 
• How materials make advanced concepts easier for students to grasp
• When to begin your students’ passage to abstraction
• In-classroom signs that your students are ready for abstraction
• How boredom can sometimes be a sign that students are ready to move on
• How to demonstrate the steps between concrete and abstract learning
• Why we should keep in mind that abstraction is the end goal

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit trilliummontessori.org/podcast

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Explore the Montessori Principles to Practice Webinar Libraries

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