Teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom activity; child is an active participant in learning

Environment and method encourage internal self-discipline

Instruction, both individual and group, adapts to each Student's learning style

Mixed age grouping

Children are encouraged to teach, collaborate and help each other

Child chooses own work from interests and abilities

Child formulates own concepts from self-teaching materials

Child works as long as she/he wishes on chosen project

Child sets own learning pace to internalize information

Child spots own errors through feedback from the material

Learning is reinforced internally through the child's own repetition of an activity and internal feelings of success

Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration

Organized program for learning care of self and environment (polishing shoes, cleaning the sink, etc.)

Child can work where she/he is comfortable, moves around and talks at will (yet disturbs not the work of others); group work is voluntary and negotiable

Teacher has dominant, active role in classroom activity; child is a passive participant in learning

Teacher acts as primary enforcer of external discipline

Instruction, both individual and group, conforms to the adult's teaching style

Same age grouping

Most teaching is done by teacher and collaboration is discouraged

Curriculum structured for child with little regard for child's interests

Child is guided to concepts by teacher

Child generally given specific time limit for work

Instruction pace usually set by group norm or teacher

If work is corrected, errors usually pointed out by teacher

Learning is reinforced externally by role repetition and rewards/discouragement

Fewer materials for sensory development and concrete manipulation

Less emphasis on self-care instruction and classroom maintenance

Child usually assigned own chair; encouraged to site still and listen during group sessions