ELEMENTARY I: SUMMARY

The Montessori Elementary Curriculum covers the rationale underlying Montessori materials, method, philosophy, the design and dynamics of the prepared environment, the catalytic role of the Montessori teacher, the unique interplay of freedom and discipline, psychology of the Elementary age child (ages 6 – 12 years), factors influencing a child’s self-image, effective teacher-child relations. Laboratory sessions with presentations and hands-on experience with the materials help foster the development of Montessori skills and insight.

Prerequisites:

• Adult Learners without Montessori Early Childhood certification must take the one week Montessori Early Childhood Overview course. This course starts just before (June 9-13, 2025) the Elementary-I program begins and is an additional $400.  The option to enroll in the Overview course is offered during the application process.
• Four Year College Degree (in any area of study)

Tuition and Fees:

$100 Non-Refundable Application Fee
$8,000 - See Academic Catalog for details

Fees for Program Options:

• $400 Early Chilhood Overview Course (required only for Adult Learners who do not already have a Montessori Early Childhood credential)

ELEMENTARY I: SYLLABUS

Required Reading

"The Montessori Method", "The Secret of Childhood", "The Absorbent Mind", "The Advanced Montessori Vol. I", "The Advanced Montessori Method – Vol. II "From Childhood to Adolescence", "To Educate the Human Potential" All are by Maria Montessori and available at a variety of sources online, at your local bookstore, or Nienhuis Montessori, 1-800-942-8697.

LIFE SCIENCES

This course will initiate the student into the cosmic phenomena of Life Science with all its Montessori components. Through lecture demonstrations, discussions, practice and material making sessions, the student will become aware of the multi-faceted inter-dependencies that exist between all living things. They will learn the nomenclature related to animal and plant parts, the characteristics of both, and their life functions. The Elementary I curriculum will focus on the body systems, ecology and the major biomes. They will experience an ever deepening awareness of the Cosmic Role of all things as their spiraling study in each level adds new dimensions to concepts treated earlier. Students will learn how to integrate Life Science with both Earth and Physical Science.

CULTURAL SUBJECTS

This course will treat all the concepts within the Geography and History Curriculum. In Geography, emphasis will be placed initially on Physical Geography and then will spread to concepts pertaining to Economic, Political, and Ethnological Geography. Through research guidelines, the adult learner will learn how to integrate all the facets of this area of study. During the History section of this course, focus will include concepts of time, personal timelines and the "Basic Needs of Humans" activities. Adult Learners will be shown how to isolate an area of interest and then further develop it through research. In all these presentations, emphasis will continue to focus on the Cosmic Plan and its evolutionary progress from era to era.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This course will examine all the classical presentations related to each aspect of an integrated Language Arts Curriculum. Through lectures, presentations, discussions, practice and materials making sessions, adult learners will grasp the important cohesive force of Language, spoken and written in a well-developed Montessori Program.  Adult Learners will be shown how to balance the nurturing of manipulative, mechanical and intellectual skills. The holistic approach to reading, writing and spelling will be emphasized along with Montessori’s classical lessons for work and sentence building, interpretation series and integrated cultural commands for comprehension, noting details, etc.

MATHEMATICS/ALGEBRA

This course will introduce the adult learner to the sequential progression of the Montessori Mathematics curriculum.  Adult Learners will be shown how to incorporate modern math concepts into the Montessori curriculum utilizing the basic materials. The history of mathematics will be given. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the fullest utilization of Montessori’s Mathematics for internalization. In the Elementary II curriculum, Algebraic concepts, area and volume work will be given in depth.

PHILOSOPHY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Focus for the training program is on Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education and child development. Her four Planes of Development will be discussed in depth.

MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL EDUCATION

This course will introduce adult learners to activities that nurture self-esteem, social skills and coordination.

PRACTICAL LIFE

This course focuses on the importance and responsibility of the 6-12 child for the care of environment, care of self and care and respect of each other. There will be an emphasis on animal and plant care in the environment, gardening experiences and outdoor nature studies. Formal field trips and going out into the community to integrate their experiences in the classroom on a practical level is emphasized.

FINE ARTS

This course will acquaint adult learners with the many facets of the fine arts curriculum. It will present theory, notation, history of songs, dances and rhythmic activities. Through research projects, they will be shown how to focus on cultural differences, contributions made by artists, musicians and styles during periods of History, etc.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Each course presenter will focus on teaching and management strategies that have proven most realistic for them and they will discuss salient points that need careful monitoring in their curriculum area. Guidelines will be given for setting up and maintaining a "Prepared Environment" that responds to all the basic need of the children. Establishment of ground rules, coping procedures, scheduling of presentations, communications with fellow staff, administrators and parents will be discussed and sample models shared.