Shanghai

Elementary I and
Elementary I-II Program
hosted by

Shanghai Montessori Education Academy
Rm 418, No.68, Changping Rd.,
Jing An District, Shanghai PRC

Course Components
Montessori 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 are an important component.
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.

Course Dates 2019-2020
Entering EL I cohort: July 22-August 16, 2019
Returning EL I cohort: July 31-August 14, 2019

Faculty

Gary Davidson
Kathleen Gasbarro
Karen Simon
Rob Keys

Faculty

Gary Davidson, Instructor, Site Director

Natasha is a teacher educator and school consultant. She has been a classroom teacher and administrator for Early Childhood and Elementary I. Natasha is a core faculty member for Northeast Montessori Institute as well as for the NMI/Seacoast Center Montessori Early Program. Natasha has been active in teacher education in the US as well as Asia. She holds AMS Early Childhood and is concluding her Elementary I certification.

LaDene' Conroy, Instructor

LaDene' is former Principal of Mary Ford Elementary in North Charleston SC and Montessori and Reading Specialist and Consultant for Charleston County School District. Her teaching and administrative experience extends from the classroom to the Board level. She is a key figure in dissemination of Montessori education at all ages in South Carolina and the broader Montessori professional community. She holds the AMS Administrator Credential granted by Houston Montessori Center, for which she is also a lecturer.

Cathy Constantine, Instructor
Cathy has been a Montessori educator for nearly thirty years. She holds AMS certification from 3-12 and has been a classroom teacher and administrator during that time in New England and the Southeast, most recently as faculty for the International Montessori School in Durham NC. She holds AMS Early Childhood and Elementary I-II Certification.

Charles Terranova, Instructor

Charles was recently Curriculum Director at Cambridge Montessori School, MA. He has been active nationally and internationally as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, administrator, and speaker. Charles holds AMI Early Childhood and AMS Elementary I-II Certification.

Kathleen Gasbarro, Instructor

Kathy is Head of Woodside Academy in Millis MA. She has provided many workshops and has been a core faculty for Seacoast Center for more than ten years. Kathy’s teaching experience ranges from infant and toddler through Middle School. She holds AMS Certification for Early Childhood and Elementary I.

Heather Teems, Instructor

Heather is an artist and educator currently serving as a teacher in the Charleston County School District. Her skills involve movement, music, and visual crafts and arts from 3-12. She holds the AMS Early Childhood and Elementary I-II credential.