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Comprehensive Early Childhood Topics Covered
- In-depth discussions on Montessori philosophy and practice, a comprehensive overview of early childhood development, exploration of sensitive periods, designing the prepared environment, and strategies for a successful first day of school
- Thoughtful discussions on practical life skills, environmental design, grace and courtesy, fostering self-direction, facilitating open-ended activities, spiritual preparation for educators, and reflections on teaching peace
- Engaging discussions on sensorial exploration, the transition to science, the development of motor memory, and cultivating spatial thinking skills
- Integrating the arts into the curriculum, including music, health, and physical education, with creative material-making workshops and practical application
- Interactive discussions, demonstrations, and lectures in geography, history, botany, zoology, mathematics, language arts, and cultural studies
- Practical training in classroom management strategies and child observation skills
- Guidance on successful collaboration with colleagues, effective record-keeping, and advanced classroom management techniques
Math Studies for Early Childhood
- Introduction to numbers and quantity recognition through hands-on materials
- Understanding one-to-one correspondence using counting objects and activities
- Exploring the decimal system with Montessori golden beads
- Building number sense with activities for counting, sequencing, and number formation
- Introduction to the concept of zero
- Learning basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with concrete materials
- Developing an understanding of place value (units, tens, hundreds, thousands)
- Introduction to patterns, sorting, and classifying objects by shape, size, or color
- Exploring concepts of measurement: length, weight, volume, using practical life materials
- Recognizing and naming geometric shapes and solids
- Introduction to fractions using sensorial materials (halves, thirds, fourths)
- Encouraging problem-solving and logical thinking through math games and activities
- Integrating math into daily routines and practical life experiences
- Fostering mathematical language (greater than, less than, equal to, more, less, etc.)
- Promoting independence and confidence in exploring math concepts at an individual pace
In-Depth Practical Life Discussions
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- Focusing on key developmental aims: concentration, coordination, sense of order, and fostering independence
- Mastering the art of effective presentations
- Building practical skills that empower children toward greater independence
- Promoting care of self and stewardship of the environment
- Engaging in hands-on food preparation activities
- Exploring a variety of practical life activities to build essential life skills
- Supporting the development of both gross and fine motor skills through purposeful tasks
- Laying the foundation for lifelong learning through practical experiences
- Understanding the science and methodology behind the three-period lesson
- Progressing through the stages of learning: introduce (present), remember (practice), and know (mastery)
Enriching Sensorial Discussions
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- Facilitating the development of motor memory through sensorial experiences
- Utilizing sensorial materials to isolate each sense and emphasize distinct sensory qualities
- Introducing language concepts through sensorial presentations
- Leveraging sensorial work as a tool for adults to identify and address potential sensory function deficits in children
- Using sensorial activities to lay the groundwork for geometry and spatial reasoning
- Engaging in exploration with sensorial materials to refine and sharpen sensory perception
- Promoting language development by nurturing both receptive and expressive communication skills
- Preparing children for handwriting through targeted sensorial activities
Immersive Cultural and Language Studies
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- Mapping the hand, body, classroom, and community
- Introduction: land, water, and air
- Parts and caring for plants
- Domains and Classification of the Animal Kingdom
- Word building and beginning reading
- Function of words
- First grammar lessons
- Creative writing and expressive language
- Exploration with language materials
- Art of storytelling
Engaging Group Discussions
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- Guiding students through preparation, set-up, and clean-up to build responsibility and organizational skills
- Facilitating open-ended activities to inspire creativity and critical thinking
- Promoting creative exploration, intentional movement, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits
- Fostering self-direction within a collaborative learning community
- Encouraging flexibility, independence, and a strong sense of responsibility
- Redefining the role of the teacher as a facilitator and guide
- Designing a prepared environment that supports early childhood development and exploration
- Creating a nurturing, emotionally and intellectually stimulating environment
Elementary I, and Elementary I-II
Dates: July 8 – 18, 2026 (Ages 6-9)
Dates: July 8 – 24, 2026 (Ages 6-12)
Where: Birmingham, Alabama
Travel | Schedule | Topics ELI | Topics EL I-II
Lower Elementary Topics Covered
Summer Residency: Lower Elementary Montessori (Ages 6–9)
Curriculum Overview
This immersive, face-to-face residency provides a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of the Lower Elementary Montessori curriculum. Through interactive lectures, material demonstrations, and collaborative workshops, adult learners will master the pedagogical tools necessary to support the holistic development of the second-plane child.
Foundations of Montessori Philosophy & Child Development
Deepen your understanding of the psychological, social, and emotional framework of the 6–9-year-old child.
Philosophical Core: Advanced study of Montessori philosophy, focusing on respect for the child, cosmic education, and adapting the concept of the absorbent mind to the elementary years.
The Second-Plane Child: Analyzing child development, tracking social-emotional milestones, and identifying the specific sensitive periods of elementary-age children.
The Prepared Environment: Strategies for designing and maintaining a stimulating, child-centered classroom that nurtures self-direction, adaptability, and independence.
Peace Education: Cultivating emotional intelligence, grace, courtesy, and a sense of responsibility to foster a peaceful, collaborative classroom community.
Language Arts & The Story of Language
Master the mechanics of language and creative expression through the unique Montessori approach.
Psycholinguistics & Narrative: Exploring the Great Lesson of the Story of Language and cultivating a love for expressive writing and creative speech.
Applied Grammar & Mechanics: Hands-on instruction using Montessori grammar symbols, word study, sentence analysis, advanced grammar concepts, and punctuation.
Literacy Development: Best practices for guiding reading comprehension, functional writing, and effective communication skills.
Mathematics & Fractional Concepts
Bridge concrete manipulation with abstract mathematical thinking using sequential Montessori materials.
Arithmetic Foundations: Presenting place value, the four core operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and complex problem-solving.
Fraction Mastery: Practical exercises for understanding and computing fractions through targeted material manipulation.
Geometry & Measurement: Introduction to geometric concepts and measurement tools tailored for the lower elementary mind.
Cultural Studies & Cosmic Education (Science, History, & Geography)
Learn how to present an interconnected, interdisciplinary view of the universe.
Geographical & Earth Sciences: Examining geological processes, solar energy, the Earth’s movement, and diverse landforms (oceans, mountains, glaciers) utilizing puzzle maps and biome charts.
The Biological Sciences: Exploring the Animal and Plant Kingdoms, scientific classification systems (domains, zoology, botany), and hands-on scientific experiments.
Physical Sciences: Introducing foundational physics and chemistry concepts through safe, interactive classroom experiments.
History & Temporality: Presenting timelines, fundamental needs of humans, early civilizations, and developing a child’s understanding of the passage of time.
Studio Essentials, Classroom Leadership, & Observation
Develop the practical, artistic, and administrative skills required of a lead teacher.
Curriculum Integration: Seamlessly blending music, visual arts, drama, physical education, ethics, and health into daily academic routines through creative lesson extensions.
Art & Material Making: Interactive workshops focused on creating beautiful, durable classroom materials.
Observation & Assessment: Refining your observational lens and classification skills to track student progress and support individualized learning paths.
Professional Leadership: Practical training in efficient record-keeping, effective classroom management strategies, and building collaborative relationships with colleagues and families.
Comprehensive Upper Elementary Topics Covered
- Completion of the lower elementary face-to-face residency (80 hours over 10 days)
- Completion of the upper elementary face-to-face residency (40 hours over 5 days)
- Completion of the early childhood overview (25 virtual hours, self-paced)
- Completion of advanced lessons in cultural, language, and mathematics (51 virtual hours, self-paced)
- Reviewing major components of the upper elementary math curriculum, with a focus on decimals and fractions
- Exploring foundational algebra concepts, starting with multiplication and extending to squaring, square and cube roots, and solving equations
- Delving into geometry through constructive triangles, and examining concepts such as congruence, similarity, equivalency, and the Pythagorean Theorem
- Dedicated time for hands-on practice with Montessori materials
- Art integration sessions and creative material-making workshops
- Opportunities for demonstrations of competency
- Completion of a proficiency exam to assess understanding and mastery
- Reviewing major components of upper elementary geography, exploring classified nomenclature, and integrating physical with political geography, while introducing concepts of migration and conflict.
- Engaging in discussions, lectures, and demonstrations on human history and the development and spread of civilizations
- Advanced mathematics studies, including divisibility, square roots, cubing, simple interest, ratio, and proportion, along with algebraic equations and inequalities, integers, and traditional, geometric, and algebraic decanomial concepts
- Demonstrations, discussions, and practical exercises in advanced language studies, focusing on grammar and its proper usage