How To Bring the Magic of Montessori Into Any Classroom

I’ve spent years teaching in a Montessori classroom, guiding upper elementary students through big ideas and even bigger personal growth. Here’s what I’ve learned: With the right mindset and an intentional shift, you can bring the Montessori classroom to life anywhere.

What makes the Montessori classroom unique?

Built on the belief that children are naturally motivated to learn in the right environment, the Montessori classroom is carefully prepared to encourage independence, exploration, and purposeful work. 

Montessori classrooms are student-centered and purposefully designed to support hands-on discovery, meaningful collaboration, and self-direction. It’s not about Pinterest-worthy decor (though beauty does matter). It’s about creating a space where students feel safe enough to stretch their knowledge and responsible enough to follow through.

In the classroom, I wasn’t standing at the front doling out knowledge—I was a guide, woven into the dynamic, watching closely, giving gentle nudges, and trusting students to lead their own learning. The space was theirs, a place they felt proud of, safe in, and happy to return to each day.

But I’ll be honest, it wasn’t magic. It was a result of careful setup, clear structure, and mutual respect.

Learn more about Montessori schools here.

Start by Creating a Purposeful Learning Space

During my years of teaching in a Montessori classroom, I was fortunate to work in an environment filled with the best of everything: top-quality furniture, hands-on materials, beautiful bookshelves, and even a kitchen! It was a dream space for any teacher. As much as I loved all the resources, I couldn’t help but wish that all elementary students had access to similar environments, whether in the classroom or at home.

Then it occurred to me: With the right intention, any space can reflect the Montessori mindset. You don’t need a fully equipped classroom to foster independence, calm, and curiosity. A little creativity, intention, and purpose can go a long way!

Here’s how you can create a Montessori-friendly, purposeful learning space.

Declutter Ruthlessly 

Let’s be real: Visual clutter leads to mental clutter. That’s why I made it a rule to keep only what was beautiful, related to a topic of study, or useful on my classroom shelves. By creating calm, uncluttered spaces for work and exploration, children can focus, relax, and be open to trying new things.

Here are some of our favorite organization hacks for classrooms.

Use Open Shelving

Low, open shelves are a staple in the Montessori classroom because they make everything visible, drawing children in and inviting them to explore. When materials are thoughtfully displayed at eye level, kids naturally feel curious and excited to engage with what’s available.

Check out some of our favorite Montessori-style bookshelves.

Group Materials Logically

One of the best ways to support independent exploration is by organizing materials in a way that aligns with the subjects being taught. That’s why I always grouped materials by subject—math with math, grammar with grammar. It made the space feel organized and helped students feel confident exploring on their own. For example, in math, having things like math board games, card games, puzzles, command cards, and real-world word problem tasks readily available on open shelves created a space where math became something to enjoy rather than avoid.

Create a Cozy, Calm Space

I’ve seen how powerful a quiet corner can be. With a soft rug, comfy chair, and a few good books, it became a go-to spot for students who needed a break, a breather, or just a moment to be.

When the physical space reflects trust and order, children start to mirror that in their behavior.

Here are some ideas for bringing calm to your classroom decor.

Foster Choice and Responsibility

Montessori taught me that when you give kids real freedom, you’re also giving them the chance to learn responsibility. The two always go together.

In my upper elementary classroom, students managed their own weekly work plans. I gave them structure through clear expectations and timelines, but within that framework, they could choose the order in which they tackled tasks.

Some tools that supported this included:

Rotating Materials

I rotated the materials on the shelves every few weeks to align with what students were studying or to reflect the changing seasons. This kept the environment fresh and engaging, encouraging students to explore more deeply.

Task menus included both must-dos and may-dos, offering structure while allowing for choice. They helped students practice time management and learn to prioritize their responsibilities.

Grab our free, editable choice board templates by filling out the form on this page.

Work Journals

Students used work journals to track their progress and reflect on their accomplishments. This habit helped them notice patterns in their work and develop accountability for their learning.

Self-Assessment Check-Ins

We built in time each week for students to reflect on their effort, not just their results. These check-ins encouraged goal setting and helped build a growth mindset.

At first, some students struggled with making choices, but with support and patience, they grew into it. Watching a 10-year-old confidently plan their week or reset after a rough start? It’s a beautiful sight.

Every Montessori classroom I’ve led has had a strong sense of community, and that didn’t happen by accident. I intentionally created an environment where students felt like they belonged, had a role to play, and were part of something bigger than themselves.

That same spirit of connection can be nurtured in any learning environment, even at home. Whether in a classroom or a living room, creating a sense of shared purpose helps kids feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow together.

Here’s how I intentionally created opportunities for students to learn from one another:

Partner and Group Work

I encouraged thoughtful groupings based on project needs, learning styles, and collaboration goals, not just friendships. This helped students learn how to work with a variety of peers and value different perspectives.

Check out these tips for successful group work in the classroom.

Classroom Jobs

Everyone had a rotating responsibility, from sweeping the floor to leading the weekly classroom meeting. These roles fostered ownership and taught students that their contributions mattered.

Here’s a big list of classroom jobs for pre-K through grade 12.

Weekly Class Meetings

We problem-solved, celebrated, expressed gratitude, laughed, sometimes cried, and often made responsible decisions together. These meetings built trust, strengthened relationships, and gave everyone a voice.

Check out these meaningful gratitude activities for kids.

Respectful Communication

By learning to listen and respond with kindness, we created a space where everyone felt respected. Over time, this mutual respect grew into a deep sense of trust and belonging.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Montessori classroom, where students learn with and from one another every day. With intention and purpose, this same spirit of shared learning can be cultivated in any space because every child deserves opportunities to connect, contribute, and grow together.

Meaningful Learning With What’s On Hand

Montessori materials are hands-on and thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and engagement. But you don’t need official Montessori material to bring this philosophy to life in your space. With some everyday items and a simple mindset shift, you can create a space that is Montessori-aligned, feels authentic, and is beautiful.

Here are some of my favorite tricks:

Keep It Simple and Beautiful

A vase of fresh flowers, artwork at the eye level of the child, and organized shelves all help create a welcoming space. These small details remind students that their learning environment is important and worthy of respect.

Use Real Tools

In the classroom, my students worked with magnifying glasses for close-up observations, used glue guns for their projects, and handled real knives to chop food. They even lit matches for science experiments, all while being guided and supervised. These hands-on experiences helped them connect more deeply with their learning.

Choose Natural Materials

Natural materials help create a calm and grounded learning environment that connects students to the world around them. Materials like wood, glass, and fabric encourage mindfulness, foster a sense of respect for the environment, and provide a more sensory-rich experience for students.

Here’s a roundup of our favorite Montessori-style toys.

Use Materials That Incorporate Practical Life Skills

Tools like child-safe, eco-friendly cleaning products, sewing kits, and kitchen utensils help students learn important everyday skills while caring for their environment. Activities such as wiping down surfaces, sewing on buttons, cutting fruits or vegetables for snack prep, and washing dishes promote responsibility, creativity, and self-reliance, while giving students hands-on practice with real-life tasks.

Use Games as Materials

Montessori learning is active and hands-on, and games are a great fit. The right games make learning feel like play while helping students grow and understand new concepts.

Repurpose Everyday Objects

Dried-out markers can become math counters, and an old shelf can be turned into a student supply station or a display area for projects. By using what’s on hand, you can inspire creativity and problem-solving while keeping the classroom practical and resourceful.

Upcycle Materials in the Classroom

Items like cardboard boxes and plastic bottles can be turned into hands-on projects that engage students and inspire innovation. For instance, a large cardboard box can be reimagined as the base for a student-designed model airplane, turning a simple item into a tool for exploration and creativity.

While in some ways it helps, you don’t need a classroom full of specialized materials to create an environment where students feel empowered, engaged, and curious. With a little creativity and intention, you can bring the essence of Montessori into any learning space, using materials you already have to support meaningful, authentic learning.

Here are our favorite upcycling hacks for the classroom.

Build Independence, One Step at a Time

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students grow into independent thinkers and doers. But that independence doesn’t happen all at once—it develops gradually, with structure, support, and lots of practice.

Here’s what worked in my classroom and can absolutely work in yours:

Visual Supports

Work plans, checklists, and daily schedules gave my students structure, but more importantly, they gave them autonomy. Students knew exactly where to look for information and could rely on these tools to guide their choices throughout the day, helping them feel capable and in control.

Grab our free bundle of printable visual schedules for the classroom.

Gradual Release of Responsibility

I always started by modeling the task, then offered support, and eventually stepped back so students could take ownership with confidence.

Normalize Mistakes

I made a point to acknowledge my own slip-ups. If I forgot something or messed up, I said so. This showed students that mistakes are part of learning, not something to fear.

Encourage Problem-Solving Skills

Rather than always providing the answers, I encouraged my students to figure things out for themselves. Whether it was finding a location on a map, figuring out a math problem, or resolving a conflict, I asked guiding questions to help them think through the situation. This not only built their confidence but also developed their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Foster a Growth Mindset

By celebrating effort and perseverance over perfection, I encouraged a mindset that embraced challenges. I made sure to praise progress, whether it was a small improvement or a big leap forward, helping students see that learning is a continuous process and that effort counts just as much as success.

There’s nothing better than seeing a student take initiative, reflect thoughtfully on their learning, or speak up for their needs. Those small steps add up to something powerful.

Grab our free printable set of growth mindset posters.

Small Changes, Big Learning

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start bringing Montessori into your classroom. But each small, intentional change you make—decluttering a shelf, adding student choice, fostering community—adds up.

Montessori isn’t about perfection, it’s about trust. It’s about creating an environment where students are free to explore, make mistakes, take responsibility, and fall in love with learning.

I’ve seen it happen with 9-year-olds discovering algebra, with 10-year-olds running class meetings, and with 12-year-olds planning fundraisers for causes they care about. They’re gaining confidence through simple choices and playful, purposeful work. 

The Montessori classroom is a living, breathing space where children are given room to grow into the best version of themselves, and honestly, it’s a pretty awesome transformation to witness.

Get your free choice boards printable bundle!

Ready to bring the magic of Montessori to your classroom? Using choice boards encourages further independence in your students. Grab our free bundle of editable, printable choice board templates.

Do you have any Montessori classroom tips? Come share your experience in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Also check out Who Was Maria Montessori?