Thoughts on Worksheets and Workbooks in the Montessori Environment

A NAMC student recently asked about the role of worksheets and workbooks in the Montessori environment. It seems that the parents at her school are demanding their students bring home more work. This need to show tangible evidence of learning is entrenched in modern society. But does it have a place in Montessori?

What makes Montessori different from conventional methods of education is the use of concrete materials that guide the child to inquire and construct their own knowledge. While conventional classrooms use manipulatives, in Montessori, the children use the materials to discover the laws of nature and learn on their own. Manipulatives used in a conventional setting are only used after the teacher has told the child the laws, and the manipulatives are used to practice, not discover.