Foundations of the Montessori Method (3 credits)

Transcription

1 MO 634 Foundations of the Montessori Method This course offers an overview of human development through adulthood, with an in-depth focus on childhood development from birth to age six. Specific topics include: Montessori educational philosophy; universal human tendencies and needs; stages of development; the relationship of environment to human development; the foundations of Montessori theory and its relevance to contemporary research. Students extend their understanding of these topics by compiling a Theory Album and writing two Theory Papers (topics of the student s own choosing) Demonstrate basic knowledge of physical, cognitive and psychological development through adulthood Demonstrate clear understanding of physical, cognitive, and psychological development in the first six years of life Understand the relationship between childhood development and Montessori educational practice Understand significant principles of Montessori educational theory and their application to the work of a Montessori teacher Research topics in human development and educational practice within the Montessori literature Identify contemporary scholarship and research that complements and extends elements of Montessori educational theory and practice Communicate both orally and in writing about Montessori educational practice and its relevance to contemporary education See Reading Seminar Schedule and Concept Bibliography by topic 90% attendance at all theory lectures Participation in scheduled Reading Seminars Submission of a theory paper relevant to a topic in Montessori educational theory (student s choice of specific topics). The Theory Paper is submitted in two parts. Part 1 is a 3000 word Annotated Bibliography related to the chosen topic. Part 2 is a 5000 word essay presenting the student s own synthesis of the chosen topic. Detailed guidelines on the Theory Paper will be given at the start of the course. Essays should reflect integration of information beyond lecture notes, as well as the author s own synthesis of the topic, with supporting quotations and references from the required and recommended readings. Submission of the Theory Album meeting all course requirements, the Concept Bibliography (Course Readings), and Supplementary Bibliography Grades are based on class participation, Theory Album, Theory paper and successful completion of comprehensive written examinations Section A (Theory). A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

2 MO 635 Perceptual Motor Development This course consists of theory lectures and demonstration of the group of exercises found in the Montessori classroom of children age 3-6 known as Sensorial or Sensory Education. The purpose of the Sensorial exercises is to support the development and refinement of the child s sensory perception leading to the classification of sensory impressions as a means of building the intelligence, the development of accurate recall (memory), the formation of abstractions in the mind and the development of the imagination. Students extend their understanding of these exercises through their own practice with the materials and activities of this area during supervised sessions and by compiling a curriculum guide (Album) to the area which includes both an introductory essay and details for the presentation of the exercises to children. Understand sensory development in children during the first six years of life and its relationship to the development of the intelligence, abstract thinking, and the imagination Offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum to children age 3-6 in support of sensory development Communicate effectively about Montessori educational practice in relationship to sensory development 90% attendance all lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions related to the Sensorial area (Lecture Period 3) Submission of the Reference Album (curriculum guide) for Sensorial Submission of Student Synthesis for the Sensorial area A minimum of twenty (20) detailed quotations reflecting a comprehensive review of Montessori s writings on the Sensorial Area. (See concept bibliography Sensorial area). Optional: additional quotations from Montessori secondary sources. Submission of one Sensorial material, created by the student to reflect the characteristics inherent in the Sensorial Area Grades are based on class participation, participation in Supervised Practice, the Sensorial Album with the supplementary quotations, and successful completion of comprehensive written and oral examinations. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

3 MO 631 Language Arts / Reading Curriculum and Instruction This course consists of theory lectures and demonstration of the group of exercises found in the Montessori classroom of children age 3-6 related to Spoken and Written Language, Reading Readiness, Pre-reading and Reading Skills, Handwriting, and Written Composition. Emphasis is on spoken and written language in the context of daily life, story telling and composition, literature, geography, history, biology, science, music, and art, as well as functional aspects of grammar, syntax and reading analysis. Students extend their understanding of these exercises through their own practice with the materials and activities of this area during supervised sessions and by compiling a curriculum guide (Album) for the area which includes both an introductory essay and details for the presentation of the exercises to children. Understand the development of spoken language in children during the first six years of life and its relationship to the formation of the personality and social life Understand the development of skills for pre-literacy and for literacy in young children Offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum to children age 3-6 in support of both spoken and written language development, supporting the child s spontaneous exploration of language, the enrichment of vocabulary, confident communication, authorship and total reading Communicate effectively about Montessori educational practice in relationship to language development and acquisition of literacy 90% attendance all lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions related to the Language area (Lecture Period 4) Submission of the Reference Album (curriculum guide) for Language Submission of Student Synthesis for the Language area A minimum of twenty (20) detailed quotations reflecting a comprehensive review of Montessori s writings on the Language Area. (See concept bibliography Language area). Optional: additional quotations from Montessori secondary sources. Submission of required Language materials, reflecting the principles inherent in the organization of this area Grades are based on class participation, participation in Supervised Practice, the Language Album with supplementary quotations, and successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral examinations. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

4 MO 630 Human Relations and Self Awareness Among Young Children This course consists of theory lectures and demonstration of the group of exercises found in the Montessori classroom of children age 3-6 known as Practical Life. The purpose of the Practical Life exercises is the child s achievement of functional independence, coordination of movement, development of logical sequence, and adaptation to social life. Students extend their understanding of these exercises through their own practice with the materials and activities of this area during supervised sessions and by compiling a curriculum guide (Album) for the area which includes both an introductory essay and details for the presentation of the exercises to children. Understand the development of coordinated movement in young children and its relationship to the formation of the personality, the development of intelligence, the achievement of self-discipline and a positive adaptation to social life Understand the development of functional independence in children during the first six years of life and its relationship to the formation of the personality and to participation in social life Understand the development of logical sequencing in young children and its relationship to critical thinking, personal efficacy, and the emergence of the reasoning mind Offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum to children age 3-6 in support of movement education, functional independence, logical sequencing, and social adaptation Communicate effectively about Montessori educational practice in relationship to the formation of the personality and social awareness in early childhood 90% attendance at all lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions related to the Practical Life area (Lecture Period 2) Submission of the Reference Album (curriculum guide) for Practical Life Submission of Student Synthesis for the Practical life area A minimum of twenty (20) detailed quotations reflecting a comprehensive review of Montessori s writings on the Practical Life Area. (See concept bibliography Practical Life area). Optional: additional quotations from Montessori secondary sources. Submission of one Practical Life material, created by the student to reflect the organizational principles inherent in the Practical Life Area Grades are based on class participation, participation in Supervised Practice, the Practical Life Album with supplementary quotations, and successful completion of comprehensive written and oral examinations. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

5 MO 636 Teaching Strategies and Social Development This course consists of demonstration and lecture related to techniques for group dynamics; training for observation, interpretation of observations, and lesson planning; lectures on practical aspects of the school community; lectures related to the social development of the young child; and demonstration and practice of techniques related to the social aspects of the Montessori classroom for children age 3-6. Students extend their understanding of Montessori teaching strategies as well as the social development of young children through supervised practice sessions and guided observation of children in Montessori classrooms. Understand techniques of observation as a significant pedagogical tool of a teacher Understand the role of observation in assessing individual children s skills and needs Understand the importance of applying observational insights to plan lessons and activities that match the skills and needs of individual children and of the group Understand the social development of children age 3-6 and its relationship to the formation of the personality and the foundations of social life Offer a curriculum that supports the social development of young children and harmonious relationships within the group Understand the conditions that contribute to a positive and successful school community 90% attendance all lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions related to teaching strategies, group dynamics, social development and practical aspects of the school community Participation in Observation Training Sessions Fulfillment of requirements for guided observation in a Montessori Classroom (Guidelines and Tasks as provided by the Institute) Submission of an Observation Journal Grades are based on class participation, participation in Supervised Practice, and fulfillment of the Observation requirements. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

6 MO 628 Practicum (6 credits) This course offers an opportunity to work as a practice teacher in a Montessori classroom for children age 3-6, applying information gained during the Teacher Training course. The student works in partnership with a trained Montessori teacher in his / her classroom and follows specific guidelines for observation, lesson planning, giving presentations to children, and documenting work. This experience expands the student s understanding of both theory and practice in a Montessori classroom and continues the student s study of the child in the context of the Montessori classroom environment. Students will be visited by an Institute staff member or representative (field supervisor) while practice teaching. Increase understanding of the development of children age 3-6 through personal observation and interaction Offer effective lessons to individual children and to small and large groups of children Apply techniques of observation to assess individual children s skills and needs Plan and prepare lessons and activities that effectively match the observed skills and needs of individual children and of the group Document the pedagogical process for a teacher and the spontaneous activities of children Offer follow-up lessons and integrated sequences of activities based upon a child s interests and capacities Understand the qualities in a teacher necessary to lead a classroom of children age 3-6 Work in collaboration with adult colleagues in support of a successful school community Requirements Fulfillment of requirements for Practice Teaching in a Montessori classroom (Guidelines and Tasks as provided by the Institute) Submission of materials documenting the student s work in the classroom Grades are based on successful completion of the hours requirement for practice teaching, fulfillment of guidelines and tasks, and submission of all materials related to practice teaching. Reports submitted by the host teacher and visiting staff members are also considered in determining the final grade. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

7 MO 633 Creative Activities (Music, Art, Movement, Drama) This course presents the role of music, art, movement, and drama in the development of young children and explores ways to integrate these activities into the daily life of the Montessori classroom for children age 3-6. Sample exercises are demonstrated and practiced by the students and students receive guidelines for creating similar activities in each of these areas. Theoretical information related to these topics is incorporated into the four Reference Albums and the Theory Album. Understand the importance of creative activities in the development of young children Plan and prepare effective materials and lessons related to music, art, movement, and drama as appropriate for children age 3-6 Integrate creative activities into a developmentally appropriate curriculum, without the need for specialists or outside teachers Communicate effectively about the role of creative activities in the education of young children Requirements 90% attendance at all related lectures and demonstrations Submission of the relevant information in the four Reference Albums and Theory Album Grades are based on class participation, relevant sections of the Albums, and essays related to creative activities. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades

8 MO 632 Mathematics and Science Curriculum and Instruction This course consists of theory lectures and demonstration of the group of exercises found in the Montessori classroom of children age 3-6 related to the sensorial foundations for counting, arithmetic, geometry, algebra and fractions of whole numbers, as well as biological and physical science exercises appropriate for young children. Students extend their understanding of these exercises through their own practice with the materials and activities of this area during supervised sessions and by compiling a curriculum guide (Album) for the area which includes both an introductory essay and details for the presentation of the exercises to children. Information related to these subjects is also placed in the Theory Album. Understand the sensorial foundations for mathematical and scientific activity and thinking Understand the development of mathematical and scientific capacities in children during the first six years of life and the relationship between these capacities and the development of intelligence, logical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, and the imagination Offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum to children age 3-6 in support of the sensorial foundations of mathematical and scientific exploration Communicate effectively about Montessori educational practice in relationship to the development of mathematical and scientific capacities and understanding Requirements 90% attendance all lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions related to the Mathematics area (Lecture Period 5) Submission of the Reference Album (curriculum guide) for Mathematics Submission of Student Synthesis for the Mathematics area A minimum of twenty (20) detailed quotations reflecting a comprehensive review of Montessori s writings on the Mathematics Area. (See concept bibliography Mathematics area). Optional: additional quotations from Montessori secondary sources. Submission of the relevant section in the Theory Album Grades are based on class participation, participation in Supervised Practice, the Mathematics Album with supplementary quotations, and successful completion of comprehensive written and oral examinations. A grade of A denotes academic excellence and intellectual initiative beyond the requirements of the course. A grade of B denotes work which meets course requirements. See General Notes Regarding Loyola Grades