Seacoast Center Course Descriptions—Elementary I : From Cosmos To Culture                           Go to EL II Descriptions

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  The Time Line of Life in color by Azoka Company is included in our EL I materials set.

Our Montessori Elementary I (6 through 9) Program is a 360 hour course designed to prepare teachers to work with children from ages 6-9 in Montessori multi-age classrooms. The course is conducted in two academic sessions of four weeks duration with two seminars during the academic year. Students entering in June or July of one year typically complete class sessions at the end of the following July. Certification candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Qualified candidates who complete all course requirements and a practicum equivalent to one academic year (1080 hours) in approved classroom are recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Elementary I Credential. (Clock hours for courses are shown in parentheses.)

Elementary Theory I (20)

History and principles of the Montessori Method with emphasis on the developmental characteristics of the elementary child and of the Montessori approach at the elementary level. Activities stress the importance of collaboration and awareness of the natural world.

Elementary Methods I (30)

Includes preparation of the physical classroom environment for the 6-9 year old child, design of appropriate supplementary materials for the classroom, effective record-keeping systems, and management strategies. Group discussions and problem-solving are an important component.

Elementary Language I (56)

Concrete experiences leading to reading, writing, and the exploration of grammar, along with contemporary supplementary material consistent with Montessori standards and purposes. Attention is given to the role of individual development in learning to read and to assessment of language skills.

Elementary Geometry I (40)

Basic concepts of geometry, including the characteristics of lines, plane figures, and their relationships are made using Montessori apparatus.

Elementary Arithmetic I (84)

Materials for math, including number concepts related to whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and whole number operations for the 6 through 9 year-old child. Includes discussion sessions on effective management of and implementation of curriculum in the classroom. Substantial lab time is devoted to practice with materials.

Elementary Biology I (40)

The study of botany and zoology; general characteristics of life forms, their functions, classification, and environments. Supervised materials-making sessions and outdoor experiences.

Topics for research related to the child’s sense of time and human history is presented. Subject matter ranges from time-telling and calendar activities to the history of life on earth and the appearance of humans.

Elementary Geography I (30)

Topics range from the physical features of our planet and forces at work on it to the development of human cultures. Students prepare models, maps, and charts related to various aspects of earth history, composition, and weather phenomena.

Elementary Science I (10)

Basic concepts of physics, chemistry, and simple machines presented with recommendations for integrating these areas into cultural curricula. Use of computer technology in the classroom by both adults and children is included.

Elementary music consists of group and individual activities related to the acquisition of singing skills, rudimentary rhythm exercises, and introductory theory. Resources for this course will include Orff-Schulwerk.

Elementary Art I (8)

This course encourages teachers to introduce their children to the work of artists through their use of a particular medium or tool. Seasonal celebrations are approached as cultural studies, as well as encouraging the child’s observations of the changes and cycles in nature.

Elementary Physical Education I (8)

Appropriate teaching tools to support fitness in younger elementary children are given, including personal fitness, assessment of children with respect to fitness, large and small group games appropriate to the 6-9 age range.