Dr. Montessori spoke of 4 Planes of Development: birth to 6; 6 to 12; 12 to 18; and 18 to 24. Education for the Second Plane is not a direct continuation of the Montessori Program offered for the First Plane; new sensitive periods and changing psychological characteristics must be considered in formulating a meaningful and successful educational program for the 6 to 12 year old.

Two sensitive periods during the Second Plane were discussed by Dr. Montessori: imagination and abstraction. Cosmic Education, the unifying study of this Plane, utilizes both imagination and abstraction. The child is presented with the intimate relationship which exists among all forms of life. This study sparks the child's interest and engages his imagination and helps him understand the cosmic task of each element and of each force in the cosmos including our human society.

During the First Plane the child incarnates the immediate environment; during the Second Plane, the child uses his creative imagination based on reality in order to psychologically conquer the world.

At six years of age all aspects of culture are received enthusiastically; later these seeds will expand and grow. The child is presented with vast fields of knowledge which he/she is eager to explore. The Montessori Elementary teacher works in the service of the complete human being who is able to exercise in freedom a self-disciplined will and judgment, and who will be able to function effectively in these expansive times.

Classified Nomenclature for botany, zoology, geography and geometry; impressionistic charts in botany and geography; language extensions; concrete math and geometry; classification charts of the plant and animal kingdoms; and time lines of life and of humans - all are a part of the Montessori lessons used during the Second Plane to strike the imagination and to provide beautiful and clear presentations. The use of all of these materials is presented during the academic component.

The basic format of the Elementary Training Program consists of 3 Sections:

Montessori materials used in the Elementary program for children ages 6-9 are presented. Subjects covered include:

Math, History, Geography, Language,
Practical Life, Botany, Zoology, Art, Music,
Geometry, Classroom Leadership,
Montessori Philosophy for the Elementary Child

Notes on the presentations of each exercise will be distributed to the participants. These printed notes, along with personal notes and illustrations the students may wish to include, will constitute the Teacher's Rescource Manuals.

Much of the Elementary materials must be teacher-made, so some time will be spent on making materials during each daily session. Many paper materials (such as drawings, labels, illustrations for charts, time lines and classified nomenclatures) will be distributed at no additional charge. Participants should plan on spending between $200-$800 on paper for mounting, duplicating copies, lamination, colored pencils, etc., according to the needs of each individual participant.

Workshop Sessions are held from 8:30-5:00 daily.
Six additional hours per week are required in evening sessions for directed practice and supervised material making. Some Saturday sessions will also be required. The 7 weeks may be taken in two summers: Four weeks for ages 6-7; Three weeks for ages 8-9.

During the Workshop, materials and philosophy covered in the Early Childhood Montessori Course will not be repeated; therefore, participants who wish to obtain the Elementary Credential must either attend an Early Childhood Montessori Education Course or complete selected 3-6 content in an EC Orientation held the week before the Elementary Course.

The following are required:

• Monthly reports on the implementation of the Elementary Program in an actual classroom. (Teachers secure their own classroom in which to teach the Elementary Montessori Program.)
  
  
• Preparation of assigned teacher-made materials.
  
  
• Compilation of the Teacher Resource Manuals using notes received in the Workshop and additional personal notes.
  
  
• 3 observations by a member of the Teacher Education Staff. Students must cover transportation and housing costs.
  
  
• Writing of an original or research-oriented project
  
  

Participants present selected exercises to their classmates as a general review, under the direction and supervision of a staff member.

Presentation of: Teacher Resource Manuals and teacher-made materials and project; written and oral examinations

The minimum requirement for attending the academic component is a High School Diploma and permission of the Course Director. College work is desirable but not required.

1. Montessori Early Childhood (for ages 3-6): either a 3-6 Credential or completion of the EC Overview.
2. Successful Completion of all Elementary Course Requirements
3. A four year college degree from an accredited college or university.

The minimum completion time for certification is 12 months. However, most students prefer taking at least 24- 36 months to complete certification requirements.

Download Applications Here
9-12 Component Application
6-9 Course Application
and
Early Childhood Pre-requisite for 6-9 Course