I was lucky to have the opportunity to review the teaching manuals created by Jennifer at Montessori Print Shop.
Disclosure: I received a Montessori Print Shop Primary Teaching Manuals Bundle in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and any opinions expressed are my own.
You’re probably already aware of Montessori Print Shop’s free printables, inexpensive printables U.S., inexpensive printables Canada, and information and resources.
Review of Montessori Print Shop Primary Teaching Manuals Bundle
The Primary Teaching Manuals Bundle includes 4 Montessori Teaching Manuals – Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Math. The manuals are based on AMI principles from Jennifer’s AMI training through the Foundation of Montessori Education (Toronto, ON). The courses were taught and guided by Renilde Montessoriin 1993/94.
The presentations and lessons included are for children who are approximately 2½ to 6 years of age. This, of course, depends on the individual child, and many activities also work well for 7- and 8 year olds. (Note: In Montessori education, primary is generally ages 2½-6 or 3-6 with elementary at ages 6-12.)
Each lesson includes:
- materials list
- material photo(s)
- detailed step-by-step instructions
- notes to the teacher
- purpose of activity
- points of interest
- control of error
- suggested age for presentation
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a number of Montessori teaching albums from my training course as well as from other training programs. My first experience in Montessori was through an AMI-trained teacher who let me photocopy her albums and gave me guidance in creating a Montessori environment and activities for a day care center. Later on, I completed Montessori training and worked with Montessori teachers from different types of Montessori training programs. Here are my thoughts on the Montessori Print Shop AMI-based albums:
- AMI albums always feel like I’m coming home. There’s so much available online, which I thoroughly appreciate. Yet it can be very overwhelming, especially for parents or teachers who haven’t had the opportunity to take a Montessori training course. The Montessori Print Shop albums are wonderful for both parents and teachers new to Montessori and for parents and teachers wanting to keep a firm foundation in Montessori principles and techniques.
- I love the clarity and simplicity of the Montessori Print Shop albums. AMI training courses stay the truest to Maria Montessori’s original ideas. You’ll find photos of the traditional Montessori materials in each of the manuals except the practical life manual, where they aren’t essential. There are a number of hand-drawn illustrations for the practical life activities that need illustrations.
- I love that the presentations follow the original Montessori guidelines. Montessori presentations are not all the same. It’s surprising how many presentations there can be for one activity when you look at different Montessori manuals. In general, I like to stay with an AMI presentation when there’s more than one way to present an activity. It’s well-thought-out and focuses on the essentials. When I created DIY Montessori materials in the past, I preferred to use traditional Montessori colors and designs whenever possible. There can be variations. You can count on AMI information if you’d like to stay with the original Montessori colors, designs, and presentations.
- I also love that you’ll find links to Montessori Print Shop materials within the lessons. Montessori Print Shop has so many wonderful free and inexpensive extensions for Montessori lessons as well as printables that are essential parts of many lessons. Having the links within the teaching manuals simplifies the preparation process.
If you go to each teaching manual page at Montessori Print Shop, click on the photos in each page’s left sidebar for a detailed Table of Contents and sample lesson.
Practical Life Teaching Manual Sensorial Teaching Manual Language Teaching Manual Math Teaching ManualUnless you’re already an AMI-trained teacher and have your own AMI-based albums, I think these are the ideal teaching manuals to have along with any other Montessori materials you already own. It’s easiest to add ideas and personalize your own unique way of teaching Montessori when you have a solid foundation to return to whenever needed.
And don’t miss the free eBook Montessori Primary Education – Understanding the Theory.
See all my reviews of Montessori Print Shop materials here.
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Mel McFadden says
I LOVE Montessori Print Shop and I was just looking at these the other day. I would REALLY like this for working with my 2 boys. 🙂
Tara says
Thanks for hosting such a fantastic giveaway!
Anne says
Which age group are the manuals for please? You mention 2 1/2 – 6 and the primary age group-these are not the same
Deb says
Thanks for mentioning that, Anne! That’s true. The Montessori Print Shop albums and most AMI programs for 2 1/2-6 (or 3-6) are classified as primary with ages 6-12 classified as elementary. I’m adding a note to my post to hopefully avoid confusion.
Joanna says
I, too, have been considering these. I would love to have more direction for my lessons with my son and his friend who comes to ‘play’ with his class room work.
Katherine says
This would be a great addition to the other Montessori materials I have. I work with my 3 year old at home.
Bianca says
I would love to win a Montessori Teaching Manuals bundle to help me with ideas and advice on activities and experiences for my kiddos at home. I love being involved in their learning.
Natasha says
I’m using some Montessori activities with our littlest ones – 6, 4 and almost 2. This would be such a blessing to help us get organised! I love Montessori Print Shop materials!
michele says
I’m hoping to homeschool my daughter and have several other friends interested as well…this would be a great resource!
Adina Bogdan says
Oh, I would love to win! I’m currently homeschooling my 3.5 yr old daughter and would love to add more Montessori to it!
thanks!
Sara R. says
We would love to win! I am currently homeschooling my 5 and 2 year olds…but will be supplementing the 5 year old’s kindergarten next year. We can always use more materials!
Sara R. says
Honestly…I need to learn more about ANY of the math lessons!
Alicia says
I would love to win! I’m about to move to the Middle East with my newborn baby and plan on investing in the education of my own children and my neighbor’s children in any way I can!
Jade says
I would like have this montessori teaching manual to guide me in the correct way to teach my children. Thanks.
Jessica says
I would like to win these so I can have more guidance in my teaching. I’m about to have two more kids in my home and want to learn more so I feel better equipped to teach more than one child.
Sharla says
I like the Montessori concept and have tried incorporating it with my two children and a preschool class. The manuals would help me be more effective.
Wanda says
Thanks for hosting such a wonderful giveaway! Seems wonderful!
Amy G says
We are very excited about homeschooling and collecting all materials possible!
Julie says
These look like great albums!
Kimberly M. says
I would love to use these with my 2 1/2 year old!
Kylie says
We have been doing Montessori based on Gettman for a year or so now, but I would love some albums 🙂