Elementary I Program
(6-9 Years)
Elementary I
The Elementary I program prepares the adult learner to guide children from 6-9 years old in a Montessori environment. Through comprehensive studies of the Montessori philosophy and methodology, the adult learner will gain a deep-seated understanding of this method. Curriculum and lectures videos guide the adult learner by providing practical applications of the Montessori materials. The adult learners participate in online discussions with their cohort to further deepen their understanding of Montessori philosophy while applying and integrating these methods into their everyday classroom experiences.
Distance Learning Coursework
The Elementary I coursework begins in August or January. The adult learner begins with online participation from August through May of year one. For adult learners who joined the cohort in January, the online learning continues the August following the in residence through December.
Adult learners follow a specific schedule of course curriculum working with their cohort and instructors. The online learning is divided into courses that are 4-5 weeks in length. There is a one week break between courses to complete manuals/albums for the course. The online coursework can be completed at the adult learner’s convenience and will require 6 – 12 hours each week to complete the coursework. The instructors schedule video conferencing at regular intervals throughout the course.
In-residence Coursework
The in-residence studies in Waukesha at the Montessori School of Waukesha takes place in July and consists of three weeks of intensive in class work. Those who are beginning in August, will attend in-residence in July of year one. Those who are beginning in January, will split their in-residence between July of year one and July of year two.
Montessori School of Waukesha provides beautiful, fully equipped environments that are available for both class and practice time and is located at 2600 Summit Avenue, Waukesha, Wisconsin, about 15 miles west of Milwaukee. Montessori School of Waukesha is the only AMS accredited school in Wisconsin.
The summer in-residency provides the learners with live lesson presentation, supervised practice and material making. The students participate in discussions, lectures, interaction with the materials and other adult learners. Emphasis is placed on hands on activities and classroom leadership skills.
Practicum Phase
The nine-month practicum begins in August and continues through June. The practicum consists of 1080 hours of a classroom experience. The practicum phase must take place in a Montessori environment with children in the Elementary I year age range.
Adult learners will be under the direction of either a supervising teacher or mentor (for a self-directed practicum). The adult learner will be provided with a Field Consultant who will visit the adult learner in their environment a minimum of three times during the course of the practicum. The Field Consultant will support, give feedback and mentoring for the adult learner during the course of the practicum.
The adult learner who has completed all their coursework, practicum, and has paid tuition in full will be eligible for their credential after year two.
**Applicants must have access to Elementary I Montessori materials and computer technology.**