Montessori and Reading (or Memorizing?)

I received a response to one of my posts that brought up an excellent topic for discussion: When is a child in Montessori (preschool) truly reading? What is true reading, any way--is there only one answer, or several? And how do you deal with children who are not quite there yet? (OK, that's a lot to cover in one post so I'll have to do several posts on the subject!)

Here is part of the comment that a mom left about her son reading (or memorizing) in a Montessori classroom: "My husband and I have decided to pull our son out [of his Montessori school]. He is 5 yrs old and a typical little boy... play[s] outdoors and loves crafts. His school is not motivating or challenging environment for him. He began to read Bob books at home for us. We were so excited for him and told his teacher. The teacher immediately said that he had the books memorized. She said this in front of my son.... She also refuses to send a book home with him because she said montessori rules states that they have to read the book to the teacher first and write out all the words."

The comment continues, and you can read the rest of it here:
http://montessoriconfessions.blogspot.com/2008/04/children-who-wont-ingage-in-activities.html

I can tell you how we did "Montessori reading" in our classroom, which included the Bob books, and later, Primary Phonics books.

A child, when ready, would begin reading the first Bob book to the teacher, first sounding out each word. Eventually, the child would sound out each word ("c-a-t") but then say the word in its entirety ("cat").

Each child was different and went at their own pace. After the child could both sound out and read each word, he or she could take the book home to read it to their parent. It was always a proud and joyful moment for both the child and the parent(s)! Of course, some children were so eager to take their book home, we had to ask them to wait just a little longer! But more important, our goal was to have each child LOVE reading, this always came before any Montessori "rules".

And, yes, it is true, some children were better at memorizing words than sounding them out. And we did not consider memorizing a word (without being able to sound it out) true reading. This was a little tricky because some children did not quite understand!

It is unfortunate what happened to this mom and her son. What should have been a proud and joyful moment was turned into a big disappointment.

T'was the Night Before Mother's Day (Moms' Abridged Version)

T'was the night before Mothers Day, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a--oh, wait
there is a child stirring, she wants water, again!
(She spilled the first cup...)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
in hopes that someone would fold them and put them
away where they belong, they've been hanging there a week!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
(except the child who just spilled her second cup of water!)
while visions of sugar-free plums danced in their heads.
And Papa in his cap, and I in my 'kerchief, had just settled our brains for a long winter's...
(What rhymes with 'kerchief?)

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. (And tripped over a toy truck left on the floor--must I always put the toys away?)
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

This sash is dirty! That reminds me, I have to do the laundry in the morning.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of midday to objects below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

What? A miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer? Am I seeing things--again?
I MUST BE SLEEP DEPRIVED!
I have GOT to go to bed!

"Happy Mother's Day to all, and to all a good night!"