Brief Overview of Alternative Education Theory

Overview of the different types of Education Theory

Maria Montessori aka Montessori Education

1. shares an importance on child-led learning

2. teachers become guides within that learning, observing heir students and creating activities that can be self initiated & independent

3. Often in multi-age classrooms

4. Because of the high importance on child-led learning, in these kinds of environments you will see everything at child level, minimal decor to promote concentration, tools such as number lines or alphabet cards are made to be utilized by individual students.

STEM or STEAM

1. STEAM is the successor of STEM

2. Stands for Science Technology Engineering & Math, the A in STEAM is for the Arts

3. Can be a very hands-on approach to learning

4. Guiding kids through the scientific process of hypothesis, possible solutions, testing, and then evaluating the results

5. Focuses on creating relevance to the world around them

6. Promotes problem solving and critical thinking skills

Arts Integration

1. Kennedy center for the Performing defines arts integration as "an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject and meets evolving objectives in both." 

2. This was the foundation for the charter school I taught in and was school director in

3. Basically what it does is utilize various forms of art so visual, auditory, movement, dance, theatre to help teach and show that you understand the traditional parts of education

Nature Based Education aka Forest Schooling

1. Using the natural environment to teach academic, social, & emotional skills

2. Heavy focus on cooperation & team work

3. Hands-on approach to learning utilizing the natural environment to problem solve, explore,

4. Take safe risks which can lead to increased self confidence and better sense of self.

5. For example, students might taught how to whittle sticks with real knives, understanding how to start a fire and practicing as a group. They are

6. This one is newer to the United States but is really taking a lot of traction bc of all the benefits that is has to our children.