Implementing Montessori Aspects in a Conventional High School Chemistry Classroom in India by Amala Rose Kalaparambil Augustine Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Educational Leadership
This thesis is a first step to my vision of combining alternative as well as traditional educational approaches within a high school chemistry conventional classroom in my home province, Kerala, India. The study explores the different aspects of an alternative educational approach, namely, the Montessori system, which can be implemented in a traditional high school chemistry classroom within its limits. The answers for the research questions, "What are the aspects of the Montessori system that can be implemented in a conventional classroom?" and "How is it possible to implement Montessori aspects in a conventional classroom?" were established through interviewing experienced Montessori teachers. The paper also analyses the high school sample chemistry topics in which these aspects could be implemented and explores learning materials that could be used in a classroom. A sample lesson plan that portrays the theme of the paper has been demonstrated in the last chapter. The study foresees the opportunity for a passionate teacher to actively engage students in a high school chemistry classroom, thereby nurturing students' learning. COMBINING MONTESSORI IN CONVENTIONAL CLASSROOM 5 Table of