Effect of teaching design based on montessori method on the readiness and mathematics, reading and writing skills of first class

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of Montessori Method which is widely used among alternative training models, on the readiness, mathematics and reading and writing skills of first grade elementary students. As the research model, nested pattern being among mixed method research patterns has been preferred. In the quantitative side of the study, experimental design has been used and in the qualitative side, interview and observations have been used. Research study group was composed of 23 learners attending two different elementary schools in Burdur Altinyayla district within academic period of 2017-2018 as well as class teacher of experimental group and the parents. In the preparation of teaching design that is based on Montessori Method that is applied in the study, ADDIE approach has been taken as basis. In the first period of academic years of 2017-2018, in the experimental group Montessori Method has been applied and in the control group, MEB teaching program events have been applied. Quantitative data of research have been obtained by using 'Metropolitan School Maturity Test' (Oktay, 1980), 'Early Mathematics Skills Test (TEMA-3)' (Erdoğan, 2006) and reading and writing skills assessment forms developed by the researcher (reading speed, comprehension, writing speed, writing speed, legibility). "Metropolitan School Maturity Test' and 'Early Mathematics Skills Test" have been applied as pre-test and post-test, while reading and writing skills assessment forms have been applied as post-test and permanency test. In gathering qualitative data, teacher and parent interview forms, researcher observations (notes, photography and video records) and teacher diaries have been used. In the analysis of quantitative data, for dependent and independent samples groups, t-test, Mann Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Marked Sequences Test have been used and impact sizes have been calculated. In the analysis of qualitative data, Miles and Huberman Model has been used. According to the quantitative results of research, Montessori Method improves readiness, mathematics and reading, writing skills. According to qualitative research results, it has been determined that the method enables easy and permanent learning with its integrated thematic approach and that it improved communication, creative thinking, decision taking skills as wells as hand skills of learners and that it improved collaboration of learner-learner and learner-teacher-parent. It has been seen that qualitative outcomes of research supported the quantitative results. It has been observed that Montesori Method has been effective in first class of elementary school. Longitudinal studies can be performed as relating with implementation of Montessori Method in elementary school.