Elementary I-II Program
(6-12 Years)
Elementary I & II
The Elementary I & II program prepares the adult learner to guide children from 6-12 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 from August through December. The adult learners completing their Elementary II training will wait until the following August to continue their Elementary credential work.
Adult learners follow a specific schedule of course curriculum working with their cohort and instructors. The online learning is divided into courses that are 4-6 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.
The Elementary I & II adult learner has the three options for continuing their Elementary credential:
Continuing their online learning with the Elementary II level followed by the in residence for Elementary II and then complete their practicum.
Participate in the Practicum phase of the coursework. Then complete their Elementary II online and in residence work the following year.
Complete their Elementary II coursework is an additional 9 months of online coursework and complete their practicum simultaneously. The Elementary II online coursework is followed by an additional two weeks of in residence after the online coursework is completed.
Most Elementary I & II adult learners prefer to take three years to complete the training.
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.
Adult learners completing their Elementary II coursework will have an additional 2 week in residence following their Elementary II online work.
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 either the Elementary I or Elementary II 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 Elementary I & II coursework, completed their practicum and has paid their tuition in full, will be eligible for their credential in 2-3 years.
**Applicants must have access to Elementary I & II Montessori materials and computer technology.**
AMS Suggested Elementary Materials
Elementary I is for children from ages six through nine. Elementary I-II is for children ages six through twelve, however, we will consider Elementary I graduates from other MACTE-AMS accredited programs to transfer into the Elementary I-II program. This program prepares the adult for guiding the Elementary II aged child in a Montessori setting. The Elementary I & II program takes up to three years to complete.