AMI Primary Classes - Detailed Description

Guiding Principles for a Montessori 3 - 6 Environment

  The Prepared Environment

Physical Space

• Overall the environment is ordered, clean and aesthetic
• Complete set of Montessori materials as per the Training albums
• Material for each activity is complete, clean and in very good condition
• Materials arranged in orderly, sequential manner
• Materials accessible to children
• Narrow line on the floor for walking on the line
• Furniture and equipment is child-sized to facilitate independence
• Floor space to allow for work mats on the floor
• Access to outdoor area for daily outdoor play
• Access to outdoor area for extensions into nature, gardening, etc.
• Access to washroom facilities
• Access to water supply in classroom
• Good lighting - source of natural light preferable
  
   

Intangible Atmosphere

• There is a hum of activity
• No rewards, punishments or coercion
• Generally, there are no rules regarding the use of certain materials at certain times
• Children may work at their own pace
• There is mutual respect and courtesy between adults and children
• Individual differences are respected and supported
• Periods of reflection are respected
• Minimum 3 hour uninterrupted morning work cycle plus further minimum 2 hour afternoon work cycle
• Concentration is protected
  
   

The Children

• Ages 2½/3 to 6 years together
• Children complete full cycle in the same environment
• Free to choose their own activities
• May be directed by the Teacher at times, but there is no assigned work
• Are engaged in a variety of activities from different areas of the program
• Demonstrate concentration and care in the use of the materials
• Use materials purposefully
• Persist with an activity as they deem necessary
• Repeat activities for as long as they deem necessary
• Put materials away after use
• Store finished and unfinished work
• Occasionally select and compile samples of completed work
• Free to help each other or show each other how to do things
• Interact freely with each other and with the Teacher
• Are happy and are purposefully engaged in their activities
• The children's movement is purposeful and orderly
• Are responsible for themselves and for the environment
• Demonstrate independence in their self-care and activities
• Remain in one prepared environment throughout the day
• Older children have opportunity for Extended Day/Full day in third year as minimum
  
   

The Adults

Teacher

• Demonstrates: joy, patience, curiosity, humility, sense of humour
• Allows for exploration and nurtures a sense of wonder
• Prepares and maintains the prepared environment
• Provides consistent limits to the children
• Uses positive redirection
• Models grace and courtesy with adults and children
• Gives presentations (lessons) to individuals or small groups
• Re-presents as needed
• Rarely works with the whole group
• Observes the children at all times
• Takes time to observe individual children and the group as a whole
• Demonstrates careful and precise movements
• Uses a calm, soft voice
• Uses clear, precise, complete language
• Is emotionally available to the children
• Promotes independence, yet assists children as needed
• Assists children as needed in social situations/conflict resolution
• Plans presentations for each child on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis
• Keep records of presentations shown and of observations
• Presents from all areas of the program as per the Training albums
• Engages in regular professional development activities
• Communicates regularly with parents outside class time
• Assists parents to understand Montessori philosophy and pedagogy
• One teacher per class
  
   

Assistant

• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of the prepared environment
• Non-teaching role
• Reinforces consistent limits with the children
• Uses positive redirection
• Models grace and courtesy with adult and children
• Uses clear, precise, complete language
• Uses a calm, soft voice
• Observes children at all times and is available to do so
• Provides feedback to Teacher re: observations of the children
• Protects presentations given by Teacher from interruption
• Protects concentration of children by limiting interruptions
• Promotes independence, yet assists children as needed
• Assists children as needed in social situations/conflict resolution
• Assists Teacher as needed
• If assistant speaks a second language in the environment, she strives to speak it consistently