Home Visits for Students with Special Needs in a Montessori Classroom

The purpose of this action research project was to identify and explore the impacts of conducting home visits for students with special needs within a Montessori classroom. Data were gathered in the classroom regarding the social/emotional and academic behaviors of three participants. The researcher conducted visits to the homes of the students and recorded interviews for later analysis. Upon further investigation of the discussions themes regarding how the student is identified and treated within the family setting served to inform the development and implementation of multiple strategies to improve academic performance and the quality of the student/teacher relationship. Specifically, three main themes were identified; students could be understood in terms of their role within their families, their personalities as individuals and as members of reciprocal relationships with their teachers. It was discovered that visiting the homes of the participants had a profound impact on the relationship between teacher and student, and further gave insight into the development of effective teaching interventions.