Living Montessori Now

Montessori Inspiration for Parents and Teachers

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

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I love that I’m asked more and more often about Montessori elementary as many of the Montessori homeschool preschoolers and Montessori primary-school students reach elementary age. So, today I want to share some great resources that give an introduction to Montessori elementary.

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

Although the Montessori primary (3-6) curriculum can easily work into the elementary years in a Montessori homeschool, the elementary curriculum is typically divided into materials for mixed-age classrooms of 6-9 year olds for lower elementary and 9-12 year olds for upper elementary.

One of the best introductions to Montessori elementary, both for Montessori school parents and Montessori homeschoolers, is to see Montessori in action in Montessori elementary schools. Here are a few helpful YouTube videos that give a glimpse into a number of Montessori elementary schools.

“Montessori Elementary (Old Version)” produced by the American Montessori Society

“Montessori: The Elementary Years” – American Montessori Society

“Imagine a School: Montessori for Elementary Age Learners” – Educational Video Publishing

12 Multiage Elementary Montessori Classrooms – Educational Video Publishing

You’ll find a number of helpful Montessori elementary videos at Montessori Guide. Here’s an example of one of the videos:

“Joyful Schools – Montessori for the Elementary Years” produced by The Montessori Foundation

“Montessori Primary and Elementary Explained” with Sue Pritzker, Head of School at Childpeace Montessori School in Portland, Oregon

“Why Montessori Elementary” showing LePort School’s Montessori elementary program

“Discover the Benefits of Montessori Elementary” – LePort Schools

“Montessori Elementary: What Makes It Special” – LePort Schools

2017 Elementary Montessori Morning – Chiaravalle Montessori

“The Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom”

“The Upper Elementary Montessori Program”

Casa Montessori – “Upper Elementary Classroom Ages 9 – 12”

You’ll also find two Trevor Eissler videos in my “Spread Montessori Madness” post.

Montessori Elementary Series

You’ll find even more Montessori elementary posts in my Montessori elementary category.

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Background Photo Credit: Montessori Classroom from Wikimedia Commons

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. aisha says

    love your website. i am in south africa and my daughter is doing a theme on olympics and all sorts of shape, could you send me some of these activities to do with her and for her to take a shape or olypic theme

    thanks aisha

    • Deb says

      Thanks so much for sharing that, Jessica! I think it’s very helpful, especially for Montessori homeschoolers who are wondering how to proceed to the elementary level. 🙂

  4. Carolyn Wilhelm says

    This is tremendously helpful information. The closest experience I had to this type of teaching was a long time ago in MATH THEIR WAY classes. I just love the focus on the child and helping them build their own meaning in learning and providing help only when needed. I like it that children are not pushed and learn at their own levels. Thanks so much, Carolyn

    • Deb says

      Thanks, Carolyn! I found that using Montessori principles with my own children in our homeschool helped them become very self-motivated and self-directed. And they actually still love learning even after graduating from college! 🙂

  5. Beth H says

    I’m excited to see this series of posts! There’s so much out there for the primary years, but very little for the elementary level! Can’t wait for the rest! Thanks!

    • Deb says

      Thanks, Rachel! I’m having fun researching the Montessori elementary resources available now. It’s so great that there are more resources available all the time! 🙂

  7. Jessica says

    I *LOVE* the video ““Why Montessori Elementary” showing LePort School’s Montessori elementary program” – they do some things different from my own albums (using a particular reading program; some worksheets; etc), but the expectations of what the children are capable is RIGHT-ON. Along with the questioning of the children rather than telling them everything or almost everything; keeping them “internally motivated”; I just love this video!

    🙂

    Had to share!

    • Deb says

      Thanks, Jessica! I love your input on Montessori elementary! I think many people are surprised to learn that good Montessori programs aren’t all the same. I always love seeing Montessori schools in action … so much inspiration yet each in its own way! 🙂

  8. Jessica says

    5:20-6:30-ish in the “Montessori Elementary (Old Video)” video above, shows a quick example of a teacher following up with a child at the end of the week – using that child’s work contract. Then it goes into the work plan (aka work contract) for a little bit. This is an important part of elementary!

    🙂

    • Deb says

      Thanks, Jessica! Great point! I love that Montessori elementary gradually gives kids all the skills for self-motivated work. I know that my kids were very self-motivated (and successful) in college because of their ability for self-discipline and self-motivated work as a result of our Montessori orientation. 🙂

  9. Sara R. says

    Thank you! I’m excited to read more. My son will be entering a public school kindergarten in the Fall. But, I plan to continue our Montessori-inspired learning at home. Wonderful timing! I was getting nervous about finding resources.

    • Deb says

      Thanks, Sara! It’s wonderful that you’ll be continuing your Montessori-inspired learning at home! I’m looking forward to finding more resources for Montessori elementary … I’m amazed that there seem to be new resources every month! 🙂