Date of Award

1-2016

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education, Montessori

First Advisor

Nicole Wilcox

Department/School

Montessori Elementary Education, Secondary Education

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this research was to understand how out-of-classroom experiences, such as farm work and service work positively impacts the development of the Montessori adolescent student. The eleven characteristics of valorization, defined by John Long (2001) were used to evaluate how students progressed towards this goal of valorization in the Montessori adolescent program. Sixteen secondary students were exposed to “going out” experiences over a six-week period. Socratic seminar, peer, self and teacher observations and assessments were used to collect data, as well as daily evaluations of student behaviors related to valorization and a pre and post test self-esteem survey. The study revealed that behaviors that fit the characteristics of valorization were much more prevalent following out-of-class experiences, along with increases in reported self-esteem and positive behaviors in seminar. The data also uncovered interesting insights on how peers rate themselves and others, warranting further study on adolescent self-image. Keywords: Valorization, Montessori adolescents, “going out” experiences, Socratic seminar

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