RESS-ELI-II: Upper Elementary Residency
This face-to-face residency explores advanced lessons in math, language, cultural studies, and history. Participants interact with the materials, practicing lessons for older children, preparing lesson plans, demonstrations, and exams.
Components Required for Elementary I-II Competency
The face-to-face and online upper elementary residency includes:
120 hours face-to-face, 76 hours virtual
- Completion of the lower elementary face-to-face residency (80 hours, 10 days)
- Completion of the upper elementary face-to-face residency (40 hours, 5 days)
- Completion of the early childhood overview (25 virtual hours, self-paced)
- Completion of advanced lessons in cultural, language, and math (51 virtual hours, self-paced)
Upper Elementary Topics Include
The face-to-face upper elementary residency includes:
40 hours, 5 days
- Review major components of the upper elementary math curriculum, beginning with decimals and fractions
- Review algebra beginning with multiplication, including squaring, square and cube roots, and equations
- Review geometry, the constructive triangles, and explore congruence, similarities, equivalency, and the Pythagorean Theorem
- Time set aside for practice with the materials
- Art integration and material-making workshop
- Demonstrations of competency
- Proficiency exam
Geography, Earth Science, Human History, Math, and Language
The online upper elementary residency includes:
51 hours, self-paced
- Review the major components of the upper elementary geography, classified nomenclature and the integration of physical geography with political geography, introducing concepts of migration and conflict
- Discussions, lectures, and demonstrations on human history and the spread of civilization
- Advanced math studies, divisibility, square root studies, cubing, simple interest, ratio, proportion, including algebraic equations and inequalities, and integers, traditional, geometric, and algebraic decanomial
- Demonstrations, discussions, and practice on advanced language studies, including grammar and its proper usage
Summary 51 Online Clock Hours
The upper elementary online residency covers:
(51 clock hours, self-paced online)
- Geography and earth science
- Advanced math studies
- Advanced language
- Discussions, reflections, virtual interactions, practice, and exams
Schedule for Face-to-Face
Lower Elementary Summer Residency (40 clock hours, 5 days)
Daily 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Day 1: Decimals and fractions
- Day 2: Algebra
- Day 3: Algebra
- Day 4: Algebra and geometry
- Day 5: Geometry, demonstrations, and exam
Schedule for Online Early Childhood Overview
Lower Elementary Summer Residency (25 virtual hours, self-paced)
Lectures recorded live
- Topic 1: Early Childhood Overview
- Topic 2: Practical life
- Topic 3: Sensorial overview
Early Childhood Overview
The online early childhood overview includes:
- Overview of early childhood philosophy
- Discussions, demonstrations, and reflections on practical life
- Sensorial discussions, demonstrations, and reflections
- Introduction to preparation, set-up, and clean-up
- Exploration of creativity, movement, and healthy choices
- Self-direction and the learning community
- Flexibility, freedom, and responsibility
- Spiritual role of the educator
- Art of environmental design, emotional and intellectual
Material-Making Workshops
Discussions cover the importance of creating handmade, well-constructed materials and identifying areas of the learning environment that need supplemental materials.
Textbooks and Required Manuals
You can either purchase the early childhood manuals from Montessori Research & Development (MRD) at https://www.montessorird.com or sign up for a 30-day virtual monthly subscription for $30 and access all manuals electronically.
Can the face-to-face residency be my first course?
Yes, the residency course is designed to help new educators become familiar with the materials and build basic knowledge for first-year teachers.
What do I need to bring with me to the residency?
The dress is casual and comfortable. You will need to bring a bag lunch, water, and snacks daily. All adult learners are asked to bring the following items: a laptop; any required manuals or textbooks; a cell phone and its charger; a phone and its charger; colored pencils; crayons; scissors; and cardstock or construction paper.
Where is the residency located?
LOCATION
Auburn Montessori School, The Children’s House, 231 E. Drake Ave., Auburn, Alabama 36830
What are the 2026 dates?
Week 1 – Tuesday, July 7, through Saturday, July 11, 2026
Sunday off
Week 2 – Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, 2026
Kym Elder
Dr. Kym Elder is the founder and executive director of Montessori Live. Kym holds a doctorate in instructional technology and distance education and a master’s degree in charter school educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Zechariah Hook
Instructor
Zachary Redfield
Guest Lecturer
Charlene Kam
Instructor
Charlene Yvett Kam is an accomplished Montessori School Leader. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with specializations in Management Information Systems and International Business. Charlene founded Auburn Montessori School in 1997.
Accredited Programs
Early Childhood (EC), Elementary I (EL I), Elementary I-II (EL I-II), and School Leadership
Forum Reflections
Each day, participants answer questions posted in the course’s forum. The questions cover the day’s subject matter and help the instructors determine the adult learners’ understanding and comprehension.
Art Integration
Art integration, language, cultural, and math extensions into art, material-making workshops, and practice with the materials are integrated into lessons throughout the residency.
Already a Student?
Montessori Live will enroll students in classes based on an agreed upon schedule. Contact registrar@montessorilive.org for changes to your schedule.
