This course helps Elementary teachers support children new to Montessori.
Public Montessori schools are called on to welcome all children—“Montessori experience” shouldn’t be a barrier. And, children entering Montessori for the first time at elementary can sometimes use extra support. This course gives elementary teachers the tools and understanding to help children transition into Montessori with ease and confidence.
The course begins with the fundamental human tendencies and developmental needs of second plane children (ages 6–12), and leads participants through initial observation and assessment, the culture of the elementary classroom, and important curriculum areas. It comprises nine self-guided modules including short video presentations and practical activities, and offers twice-monthly office hours where participants can meet with instructors, ask questions, and get more support.
Course Objectives
Participants will:
- Review Montessori theory and pedagogy as it applies to the new-to-Montessori child
- Learn to use relevant tools from the Montessori Assessment Playbook
- Develop practices to support elementary classroom culture
- Organize, plan and prepare lessons across the curriculum to orient new children
Format
- Nine self-guided, asynchronous modules
- Short video presentations and practical activities
- Twice-monthly open office hours
- Access to course content and office hours for 365 days from purchase
Course Overview
| Module | Topics |
| 1. Developmental Perspective with the Transitioning Child in Mind | Fundamental Needs of the Child The Second Plane of Development Human Tendencies Cosmic Perspective |
| 2. Pause and Observe | What’s Going on in this Classroom? Lower and Upper Elementary Skills Inventory |
| 3. Meaningful Work | Community Systems and Procedures Individuals Collaboration Imagination Classroom Culture |
| 4. Work Cycle | Uninterrupted 3-hour Cycle Accountability Planning |
| 5. Curriculum – Mathematics | |
| 6. Curriculum – Geometry | |
| 7. Curriculum – Cultural | |
| 8. Curriculum – Language | |
| 9. Classroom Leadership |
Photos and Video: NCMPS may take photos or record video during this event. By participating in this event, you consent to your likeness being used for promotional purposes without compensation, and you release NCMPS from any liability related to this use. If you do not want your likeness used in this way, you may inform the event staff, and NCMPS will make its best effort to prevent such use.
About the Instructors
Candace Fletcher‘s Montessori journey began at age three and resumed when she trained at Xavier University, earning an M.Ed. in Montessori Education and an Elementary I Credential. Candace has extensive experience in public Montessori schools as a teacher and school leader in Ohio, California and Nevada. Her passions lie in starting schools, humanizing teacher education, and contributing to the movement of providing access to fully implemented Montessori for all children. Candace guides and supports adult learners in the Montessori Teacher Residency at NCMPS, and also serves on the School Services team offering context-specific technical assistance in start-up and on-going implementation.
Candace spends as much time as humanly possible enjoying the company of her three nieces and two nephews.
Katie Mosquera holds an AMS Elementary I-II credential, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, an Educational Leadership certificate, and Maryland teacher’s and administrator’s licenses. She has worked as a public school teacher and administrator, and as a Montessori teacher educator and consultant. Katie lives in New Market, Maryland with her husband. Throughout Katie’s career, she has lived and worked in Bozeman, Montana; Modena, Italy; Perth, Australia; Charlottesville, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Frederick, Maryland.
Karen Simon ha sido educadora Montessori por 27 años, trabajando con niños y adultos. Nació y se crió en Venezuela y ha vivido en los Estados Unidos por más de 40 años. Ella está certificada por AMS y acreditada por MACTE en Casa de Niños, Taller I y Taller II. Fundó y dirigió una una escuela Montessori para niños de 2 ½ a 15 años en la Florida Central por veinte años y enseñó en todos los niveles en los que está certificada. Ha trabajado en la formación de docentes Montessori durante muchos años, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, y actualmente se desempeña como Presidenta de la Junta Directiva de MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.) En este momento, está concentrando la mayor parte de su energía en la educación de maestros en inglés y español, ya que siente que es una forma poderosa y significativa de extender el alcance de la educación Montessori a muchos niños y familias. Karen tiene dos hijos adultos y siete nietos, los cuales viven en su área, haciendo que las reuniones familiares son eventos semanales bulliciosos y felices.
Karen Simon has been a Montessori educator for 27 years, working with both children and adult learners. She was born and raised in Venezuela and has lived in the USA for over 40 years. She is AMS certified and MACTE accredited in Early Childhood, Elementary I and II. She owned and directed a school for children 2 ½ – 15 years old for 20 years in Central Florida and taught at all the levels she is certified in.
She has worked in Montessori teacher education for many years, both nationally and internationally and currently serves as the Chair of the board for MACTE, the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. At this time, she is focusing most of her energy on teacher education in both English and Spanish as she feels that it is a powerful and meaningful way to extend the reach of Montessori education to many children and families.
Karen has two adult children and seven grandchildren who all live in her area, making family gatherings boisterous and happy weekly events.
Course Content
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