Elementary I Teacher Education
(ages 6 – 9)

Education For The Second Plane Of Development

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 , engages the imagination,  and helps with the understanding of  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.

Academic Component (8 weeks during the summer months)

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

9 Month Practicum

While the Academic component may be taken before receiving a Bachelor’s degree, the Practicum may not be started until the adult learner has received a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university.

Practicum requirements:

• 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. Adult learners must cover transportation and housing costs.
• Writing of an original curriculum development project.

A 16-hour Seminar will be held during the practicum year. Exact dates will be announced.

1 Week Final Assessment

• Presentation of assigned exercises to classmates as a general review, under the direction and supervision of a staff member.
• Presentation to classmates of: Teacher Resource Manuals, teacher-made materials, the practicum experience and,year’s project;
• Written exams on Philosophy and Materials

Montessori Center for Teacher Education welcomes diversity in our student body, faculty and staff. We adhere to a policy of non-discrimination in regard to race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.