To begin with there is a lot of structure in a Montessori classroom, in fact MUCH MORE then in a traditional classroom. In many traditional classrooms all the children do the same thing at the same time. The “structure” is in keeping them quiet

In a Montessori classroom the children are all working at their “cutting edge” or “maximum plane of development” so they are doing different things. Montessori “structure” revolves around rules and procedures so that they can work all be doing different things, but still learn. Additionally, since most of the work is initially done with manipulatives, a “structure” needs to be in place as to how to share the materials, work with them, and put them away. Lastly, the teacher puts in place a “structure” to make sure all the children are working. In a traditional classroom, that doesn’t always happen. The teacher hands out a paper, sits in front of the overhead and talks while the children copy down the work. I’ve seen this happen in as early as first grade. Granted, not all classrooms are like the traditional ones I’ve spoken about above, but when people talk about “structure” those are the classrooms they are talking about.

As far as multi-age grouping goes, there are many advantages. The groupings are split as they are because all children in the age span process information the same way. 1-3 graders are all processing the concept of “why?” “Why is there a silent b on the end of the word comb?” “Why aren’t the names of the seasons capitalized while the names of months and days are?” “Why is 5 X 5, 25?. They are all working on the same social skills also; keeping their hands to themselves, waiting their turn, not calling out …

Also as one poster stated, children can excel, I have three first graders doing 3rd grade work. It’s not a problem and when they are in 3rd grade if need be they can be doing 6th grade work.

Having older children in a classroom also gives the younger children models. They see the older children learning things and they want to learn such things also. They also see children behaving in a more “mature” way, for instance, one of my first graders has learned not to whine because the 2nd and 3rd graders don’t. “Big kids don’t whine.” she told me.

anyway I thought it was really sweet of you and thank you for liking my questions 🙂 and im sorry to hear about your condition, it must be really hard…

Take care and God bless you! 🙂