Mastered Activities: Within 30 minutes and often sooner, students will begin to settle into the work of the day.This is especially true for morning work cycles that start when children enter the classroom (which is very common). The Hustle and Bustle: When students first start a work cycle, there is usually a fair amount of noise and movement that goes on as students settle into the classroom.Maria Montessori describes this in Advanced Montessori Method Vol 1, and we’ve added some labels to describe each phase (unless Maria Montessori provided them) to help you remember them. The children in the classroom may change, but this rhythm doesn’t vary all that much. What Does a Work Cycle Look Like in a Montessori Classroom?Īny Montessori educator will tell you that most work cycles follow a predictable rhythm. Sometimes a student needs the teacher to introduce them to specific activities, or there is a safety issue that demands interruption, but most of the time, students should be allowed the satisfaction of completing the activity and the cycle. Generally, students will select increasingly challenging activities during the course of a 3-hour work cycle, which pushes them out of their comfort zone on their own terms.įor all of these benefits to be realized, it is essential that the work cycle not be interrupted unless absolutely necessary.It gives children practice with prolonged focused attention.

It lets children learn at their own pace.It allows children to gain all they need from a learning experience without interruptions or ending too soon.It gives children practice setting up an activity and cleaning it up, which encourages an organized mind.It lets children pursue the activities and topics that they’re most interested in.Here’s why Montessori educators love the work cycle: This can lead to less learning or even a frustrating learning experience. Without enough time to delve into their learning experience and to complete their learning, children will have a fragmented and incomplete experience. Not giving children enough time to delve into their learning by interrupting them undermines all of the work cycle’s benefits. The work cycle is the time of day when students get to pick what they learn and spend time learning independently, and child-led learning that fosters independence is one of the cornerstones of Montessori education. It should never be interrupted by group work, specials, or the need to remove a child for extra one-on-one help. Montessori educators are protective of the work cycle. The child selects from one of the many activities prepared for them. It is an uninterrupted block of time for children to pursue learning independently. The work cycle is a key component of Montessori education.

Montessouri worktime