Elementary I (6 through 9) ProgramOur Seacoast Center Montessori Elementary I (6 through 9) Program is a 334 hour course designed to prepare teachers to work with children from ages 6-9 in Montessori multi-age classrooms. The course is conducted with limited residence, monthly webinars and asynchronous lessons 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. Course ComponentsMontessori Theory and Philosophy I History and principles of the Montessori Method with emphasis on the developmental characteristics of the elementary child. Curriculum Design and Strategies I 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. Classroom Leadership I Group discussions and problem-solving discussions are important components in successfully addressing implementation issues in classroom management. Elementary Language I 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 Mathematics I 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. Supervised lab time is devoted to practice with materials. Elementary Geography I 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 History I 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 Geometry I Basic concepts of geometry, including the characteristics of lines, plane figures, and their relationships are made using Montessori apparatus. Elementary Biological Sciences I The study of botany and zoology; general characteristics of life forms, their functions, classification, and environments. Supervised materials-making sessions and outdoor experiences provide key lessons. Elementary Science I 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 I Elementary music consists of group and individual activities related to the acquisition of singing skills, rudimentary rhythm exercises, and introductory theory. Visual Arts and Crafts 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 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. Supervised Lab II Faculty-supervised independent work time. 
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Elementary I-II (9 through 12 portion) Program
Our Seacoast Center Montessori Elementary (9 through 12) Program is a 200 hour course designed to prepare teachers to work with children from ages 9-12 in Montessori multi-age classrooms. The course is conducted in two two week summer components with limited residence, monthly webinars and asynchronous lessons during the academic year. Certification candidates who complete all course requirements and who have completed the equivalent of the Elementary I credential are recommended to the American Montessori Society for the AMS Elementary I-II credential. Persons who do not have the Elementary I credential and who are placed in 9-12 classrooms may be admitted as Elementary I-II credential candidates providing EL I requirements are satisfied after completion of the upper level. Qualified candidates may participate in the 9 through 12 Program on a non-certificated basis.
Course Components
Montessori Theory and Philosophy II Principles of the Montessori Method for 3-9 with emphasis on the physical, social, and intellectual characteristics of children as they transition from childhood to early adolescence during the period from 9-12. Curriculum Design and Strategies II The characteristics of classroom environments for 9-12 year old children are reviewed, including management of practical life and academic areas. Classroom Leadership II Participants will discuss classroom management routines and will chronicle the merits of their plans during the academic year. Elementary Language II Continuation of word functions into advanced grammar and clause analysis. Reading and literature for the older child as well as expository writing and more advanced levels of written research. Spoken language and dramatic interpretation are included. Elementary Arithmetic II Concrete materials address the period from achievement of abstract reasoning in whole number operations through complex operations with common and decimal fractions. Further work with squaring and square root, cubing and cube root, and operations with integers provides a strong position from which the child may explore pre-algebra. Elementary Geometry II Completion of two dimensional work, including area and characteristics of plane figures. Advanced equivalence including study of the Theorem of Pythagoras. Constructing geometric figues and consideration of the three-dimensional world in the study of volume. Elementary Biology II Advanced work with cells and characteristics of diverse classifications of life on earth, which extends into the study of ecology and ecosystems. Elementary History II Topics for research related to the development of humans from the development of human cultures, the development of civilizations as a result of individuals and groups meeting their fundamental needs. Content from major ancient civilizations to modern history, including sections on American history and the study of the child’s own city. Elementary Geography II Further study of the physical features of our planet and the geological and geophysical forces at work on it to the development of human cultures, including the role of economics in geography. Elementary Science II More advanced concepts of physics, chemistry, and simple machines. Teachers will develop strategies for effective use of technology in their classrooms. Elementary Music II 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 II Introducing children to the work of artists through their use of a particular medium or tool. Cultural studies related to art. Elementary Physical Education II Movement activities appropriate to the 9 through 12 age range. Supervised Lab II Faculty-supervised independent work time. This program is not a separate Elementary II Credential for those without Elementary I. |