The Elementary I-II program includes two phases. The academic phase consists of 325 instructional and seminar hours for Elementary I, and an additional 175 instructional and seminar hours for Elementary II. The practicum phase consists of a minimum of 1080 classroom hours for Elementary I or Elementary I-II. The academic phase takes place over one summer academic session, weekend seminars, and a nine month practicum phase (student teaching). The academic phase provides a solid foundation in the Montessori Method. The practicum phase fosters professional development by integrating Montessori curriculum and philosophy. The purpose of both phases is to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, philosophical base and practical skills necessary to become competent Montessori teachers.
Elementary I-II Program Components
Completion of this Elementary I (ages 6 to 9) teacher education courses offers an academic phase of at least 325 hours and Elementary I-II (ages 6 to 12) teacher education our offers an academic phase of at least 500 hours with a minimum of 175 hours at the Elementary II level. The course descriptions, adult learner-faculty contact hours and type of instruction are as follows:
Early Childhood Overview (min 40 hours EI & EII)
The Early Childhood Overview workshop will include a curricular overview and lessons in primary materials in the areas of math, language arts, practical life, sensorial and cultural. This workshop will also discuss the philosophy of Montessori education in relationship to the primary materials and environment, the primary child and the teacher. Adult learners who do not hold an Early Childhood credential are required to complete this overview.
Mathematics (min 40hours EI & 24 hours EII)
The Montessori Math class will address the importance of concrete experience and the sequence of lessons, concepts and materials. It begins with the concept of number and quantitative relationships and the sequence of the curriculum and expands to elementary memorization, operations, and applications. Hierarchies of numbers will serve as a foundation to higher level understanding. Problem solving will be stressed along with the presentation of the materials in the environment. Topics will include the laws of arithmetic, the aims of the materials, their sequence and arrangement and will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Geometry Curriculum (min 40 hours EI & 24 hours EII)
The Geometry course is a hands-on exploration of Geometry concepts with concrete materials in order for students to understand the goals and aims of the materials. Concepts covered will include geometric shapes and solids and their relationships and nomenclature, equivalency and congruency, the construction of shapes, area and volume. The Elementary ll level will explore these concepts at higher levels as well as explore polyhedrons and Pythagorean plates. Elementary II further explores plane and solid figures with more in-depth study of angles and construction; volume work and totals 24 instructional hours.
Language Arts (min 40 hours EI & 24 EII)
Development of language in a Montessori environment consists primarily of extending the child’s speaking ability to include functioning with written language. The Great Lesson and Key Lessons on language development through history will instill appreciation in the learner for both oral and written language. Elementary II further explores the history of the English language and etymologies, parts of speech through classification, continues analysis with more complex and unusual sentences, examines themes in literature with the goal of creating more proficient readers and writers.
Geography (min 20 hours EI & 12 EII )
This course will demonstrate the importance of the study of geography in the elementary classroom. It will explore a wide variety of concepts designed to spark the imagination of the child and encourage further study. The topics covered will include physical, political, and economic geography, including continent and ocean studies, mapping, flags and their symbolism, and impressionistic charts with experiments. It will also include the study of history through the understanding of time, the Great Lessons, evolution of life, and Fundamental Human Needs. Instructional strategies will include lecture, presentation, hands-on practice, group discussion, and written assignments. Elementary II continues the Elementary I study of geography with added emphasis on economic geography.
History (min 20 hours EI & 12 EII)
This course will demonstrate the importance of the study of history in the early elementary classroom. It will explore a wide variety of concepts designed to spark the imagination of the child and encourage further study. It will include the study of history through the understanding of time, the Great Lessons, evolution of life, the coming of Humans and Fundamental Human Needs. The relationships between geography and history will be discussed. Elementary II provides students with resources to learn the history of man on earth and his contributions, human migration patterns, ancient civilizations, Western civilizations through explorations. It will cover how civilizations were formed, and the impact of these civilizations on modern life; United Sates and local history will also be discussed and will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Biological Sciences (min 20 hours EI & 12 EII)
The Biological Sciences workshops will be hands on with living specimens, moving to the botany and zoology nomenclature with attention to the plants and animals in the classroom and outdoor environment. The new 6 Kingdoms of life and classification will be explored, as well as characteristics, internal and external parts, and needs of living things. The class will also include habitats and ecological concerns and will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments. The goals of the curriculum and the placement and sequence of the materials will also be discussed. Elementary II will look more specifically at ecology and a more in-depth exploration of biology.
Physical Sciences (min 20 hours EI & 12 EII)
This course provides an in-depth study into Physical Science, Chemistry, and Earth Science using hands-on materials, labs, experimentation and research. Physical Science includes topics such as Electricity, Magnetism, Physics, Light, and Sound. Chemistry includes the study of the Periodic Table, elements, molecules, compounds, mixtures, balanced equations, and a history of from Alchemy to current studies in the field of Chemistry. Earth Science includes the study of rock formations, climate change, topography, labs and experiences. The course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Curriculum Design (min 16 hours EI & 12 EII)
This course involves the study of Dr. Montessori’s process of scientific observation in order to meet the needs of the child and create a course of study for the Montessori adult learner. Observation as a tool to aid in the preparation of the environment, the daily routines, and the classroom community will be discussed. The class will look at the role of the teacher in depth as role model, record keeper, leader, and facilitator. It will also address the sequence of Montessori materials and lessons, and the integration of curriculum. The class will look at individual learning styles and the structuring of lessons for each of these. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Classroom Leadership (min 4 hours EI & 4 EII)
This course will explore leadership qualities and the role of the adult in preparing the environment to meet the needs of each individual student, being aware of cultural diversity in all forms. It will include the importance of developing a working relationship with parents as well as the importance of observation and record keeping.
Montessori Philosophy/Theory (min 35hours EI & 21 hours EII)
The Montessori Philosophy/Theory workshop will include Montessori’s view of child development, the four planes of development, stages of child development, and how the environment, the child, and the teacher are affected by the Montessori philosophy. The education of children to their full potential is presented with an overview of birth to six development along with study of the elementary child and sensitive periods of that age group. The role of the teacher and types of lessons will relate to the developmental characteristics of the elementary child. This course will also emphasize the importance of Peace education in the Montessori classroom. Documented observation hours are also required for this course.
Practical Life (min 8 hours EI & 2 hours EII)
Practical life in the elementary classroom is woven into the real experience of daily classroom care and maintenance, personal care, food preparation and builds on the skills learned in the early childhood years. Grace and courtesy skills and the needs of children in relation to practical life and technology are addressed. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Child Development (min 14 hours EI & 10 hours EII)
The Child Development workshop will include historical background on Maria Montessori and comparisons with other theorists and educators. It will look at physical, social, and personality developments and the child’s relationship to the culture, language development and cognitive and logico-mathematical development. It will include learning styles, multiple intelligences and learning challenges. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments. The role of the teacher and types of lessons will relate to the developmental characteristics of the elementary child.
Movement and Physical Education (min 8 hours EI & 2 hours EII)
This course provides an exploration of numerous techniques for implementing Physical Education and movement as cross-curricular extensions, including coordination, integrative activities, group games, and specific sports skills (running, jumping, throwing, catching, dribbling). This course also covers how to address the topic of body image to the elementary student and the support of a healthier life-style. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion and activities, practice and writing assignments.
Visual Arts & Crafts (min 8 hours EI & 2 hours EII)
This course develops appreciate for the fine arts and the use of art for curricular extension and cultural exploration. It also examines elements and history of art. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Music Curriculum (min 8 hours EI & 2 hours EII)
Music, drama and theater arts are explored through creating, exhibiting, and performing. Both instrumental and vocal music will be implemented, as well as the history of music, drama and theater. This course will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.
Elementary Practicum Teaching (1080 hours) The function of the Practicum Phase is to provide for the adult learner a teaching/learning experience and a period of observation, internalization, and further study, to bring together the theory and practice of Montessori education. The practicum experience is important because it allows the adult learner to observe a good model of the Montessori Method in actions. Adult learners who have worked in Montessori schools often ask if they can count prior experience toward the practicum requirement. The requirement is that the major part of the academic section must be completed prior to starting the practicum so that the intern can practice the Montessori techniques and lessons presented in the academic courses. The practicum offers a constant source of feedback to adult learner from the children as well as the head teacher. Therefore, no part of the practicum may recede the beginning of the academic phase of the course.
Practicum Seminars (min 16 hours EI)
The Practicum Seminars will be a continuation of subject area coursework in the areas of Elementary I History, Geography, Biology, and Physical Science (total 4 hours), Math (total 4 hours), Geometry (total 4 hours), and Language Arts (total 4 hours). These hours will be taught during the school year in order that adult learners can meet with course instructors to revisit concepts and materials and gain additional knowledge on these subject areas and will be taught through lecture, presentation, group discussion, practice and writing assignments.