Montessori Math Manipulatives and the Minnesota State Math Standards for Grade 2 Numbers and Operations: Alignment and Testing

Abstract

The Montessori methodology is becoming more prevalent in public elementary schools. Within a public school, there are many standard requirements that need to be met for students at each grade level. Today, many students are being tested to assess if they are learning what is required by the State Standards. Because the Montessori methodology teaches students with differentiated and individualized instruction, many wonder if the Montessori methodology covers all State Standard requirements. Does the Montessori Math Curriculum meet the Minnesota State Math Standard requirements? This qualitative study was performed in a public Montessori school with nine-second grade students learning mathematical skills that aligned with the Minnesota State Math Standard. Instruction took place through the use of Montessori manipulatives. The assessments given to the students were the same assessments that other second grade students in this district were given for this standard. Students were given Montessori lessons and manipulatives aligned with the Minnesota State Math Standard: Numbers and Operations for Grade 2. In the example of the learning target “I can use fact families to understand addition and subtraction,” students pre-test score was 59.3% and increased to 77.7% in the post-instruction test. We can show if the Montessori methodology teaches students what is required by the State Standards, by further aligning Montessori lessons and use of manipulatives to those standards, while using assessments that traditional school use.