Master in AMI Montessori Guide for Elementary Education (6-12 years)

The Master combines classes of theory and demonstration with bibliographical studies, participative sessions, active exploration, supervised practice sessions, the elaboration of materials, observation and teaching practice.

The theoretical classes offer a general view of the psychology and the development of the child according to the Montessori system with special emphasis on the specific psychological characteristics of children between 6 – 12 years of age. Students consolidate their knowledge of key concepts such as self-construction, plans of development and the human tendencies and practical aspects of the management of a Montessori environment. Theoretical classes, discussions and the educational resources which are offered and used are indispensable for preparing the student for respectful communication with children, the adequate preparation of the prepared environment and the guidance and protection of the child in the process of self-construction.

At this age, children need a broad curriculum with a global vision of the interconnection among all the elements of the universe. The Montessori program which is offered to children of this age is cosmic education, in which the different areas of knowledge are presented in an interdisciplinary manner (Geography, Biology, History, Geometry, Music and Art). The lessons which constitute the essence of Montessori Elementary education are presented: the five Great Stories (or Great Lessons) and the key lessons. Students learn to appeal to the imagination of the child, and open up his ever more reasoning mind through a combination of stimulating stories, practical materials and autodidactic activities designed to encourage the students to explore all sciences and knowledge.

The greater part of the course is dedicated to the in-depth knowledge of the concepts included in the activities and materials which are offered to children of 6 – 12 years about all these areas of knowledge. Demonstrations will be given of the techniques of the use and presentation of the stories and materials in all the academic disciplines. The aim is for the student to keep a good record of them and practice well in the prepared environment while creating personal albums which are sufficiently complete, understandable and significant for future use at professional level.

Students should read, analyze and discuss different lectures by Dr. Montessori and about the development of the child. During the course, readings and debates will be proposed on observations, academic contents and relevant aspects of educational practice.

Students also work on the knowledge and preparation of a complete prepared indoor environment and the management of the outdoor environment, such as excursions and relations with the community. There are certain specific materials which should be prepared and known in depth as requirements of the course. Likewise, each student should ensure that he obtains a set of Montessori posters and the time lines Montessori as necessary, basic material for his future professional activity. These posters can be obtained on line from the AMI web (AMI digital) or through the Training Center.

– Time for taking notes during demonstrations and theoretical classes.

Students must attend and actively participate in all Montessori pedagogy lessons and hands-on demonstrations with the materials.

Face-to-face lessons:
The vast majority these lessons will be in person, with the requirement of 90% attendance to be able to access the exams and then obtain the degree. The lessons take place in a specially prepared classroom with all the necessary infrastructure to enable working individually and in a group (cameras, projector, screen, audio system for translations and support for computers). Attendance at these classes (minimum 90%) is indispensable for taking the written and oral examinations.

Virtual and online classes:
Within each "Virtual and online fortnight" the student will have available the links to all the lessons on the Moodle platform. They will be lessons equivalent to 12 sessions of the course lasting approximately 70 to 90 minutes each. The student will have to visualize these lessons and take annotations to fill the handout of each lesson with content that will also be found on the Moodle platform. This task will be done as autonomous work and the student will be able to choose the schedule that suits him best but within the same fortnight. During the week after the fortnight it is necessary to upload the documents prepared to the Moodle platform to be reviewed. It is necessary to foresee the dedication time that is needed to be able to view the recording, take annotations, include images and edit when establishing a sustainable schedule in the personal organization itself. The last Thursday of each fortnight or the day to be decided at the beginning of the academic year, there will be an online meeting which must be attended live via telematics with the zoom platform.
In order to access the recordings, each student must register on the video hosting platform PANOPTO (free basic registration).

– Supervised practice

The supervised practices are carried out in the face-to-face part of the course, so that students can practice with the materials and carry out the activities worked on at a theoretical level. This is where skills and experience are acquired, working with Montessori materials in a Montessori model classroom. It is the best moment to explore and apply concepts learned during demonstrations and theoretical classes and to work in close collaboration with other students under the supervision of qualified and certified AMI personnel. Students work with each other, often taking on the role of the child, to perfect their technique and get to know the materials in greater depth. Members of the teaching staff, certified by the AMI, are available to answer questions and offer suggestions so that students can gain the maximum benefit from this practical experience.
The Montessori model classroom where these supervised practical classes are carried out is fully equipped with Montessori equipment and materials Where possible, extra hours of practice are recommended, and therefore the educational center provides access to the model classroom for extra hours and also on Saturdays.

It is considered that students will be able to perform some hours of practice with materials outside the classroom sessions in an autonomous way with the help of real materials or simulations.

– Observation and practice in Montessori schools

Observation and teaching practice are two essential elements of the course and allow the students to carry on their studies of the child’s development in Montessori schools with AMI guides. During observation the students witness the interaction of the children with the materials and amongst themselves, while in teaching practice they give lessons to the children in real Montessori classes, also with the supervision of experienced, AMI certified guides.

– Guidance, monitoring and personal assessment

A tutorial system is organized with weekly tasks, revision and personal assessment to help each student individually so that he can satisfactorily complete his training and evaluation process.

– Final Master’s Thesis

The Final Master’s Thesis consists of a composite assignment covering the whole course in the form of a report accompanied by the 9 final albums and the materials worked on. In part of the report the most important characteristics of the Montessori approach will be set out, and the work in each area will be described on an interdisciplinary basis interacting with the other areas in the context of cosmic education. Part of the said work will consist of a description of the student’s own personal transformation which will be worked on in light of the adult model proposed by Maria Montessori. The assignment will include a practical section, applying the Montessori principles in a context which is real and significant for the student. This Final Master’s Thesis is indispensable for obtaining the title of Master from the University of Girona and it will be assessed once the other assignments have been passed by the AMI. The final assignment may be prepared in group.

– Continuous evaluation

The students’ work is assessed continually throughout the course. Students receive constant advice and help through personal contact with the teaching staff and communication mainly through e-mail or the Moodle platform. Assignments are regularly revised, comeback is offered and details are recorded for assessment.

During the supervised practical work, which is carried out independently by the student, the teaching staff will observe how the student works with the materials, and is available to offer additional help if necessary. During the course, individual tutorials with students are organized to ensure the greatest possible degree of communication and collaboration. The staff help the student to be organized and offer useful and constructive opinions so that students can improve their efficiency, achieve their learning objectives and maintain a good level throughout the course.

– Final assessment

For the final assessment of the different subjects, firstly the completion of all course requisites will be evaluated, especially the assistance at 90% of lessons and supervised practice sessions, handing in of all work, albums, materials and the correct completion of observation and practical classes. On a second level, written and oral examinations will be assessed.

The written exam consists of two parts and takes place on three different days, in sessions of three hours each day. Students can choose the questions they want to answer from several options. The first day, the questions are about Montessori theory, while the second day and third day are about practical aspects of the curriculum areas. During the whole course, students carry out activities and do written exercises which serve as guidance for the written examination and the staff offer advice on where to concentrate their efforts. The oral examinations take place at the end of the course before an examining tribunal presided over by an external examiner nominated by the AMI.

The oral examinations are carried out on an individual basis and the student presents a lesson for each area. The lessons to be presented are decided by drawing lots and the students have a few minutes to prepare their lesson before the examination begins. At the end of the presentation, the examiner and the student have a conversation about the lesson, the materials used and the relation to the child’s development and the fundamental principles of the Montessori theory. The oral examination consists of three sessions of approximately one hour each, and in each session the student presents the lessons which correspond to two areas.

Once the examinations and the assessment of the other requirements have been completed, the official AMI assessment committee decides if the student is qualified or not to receive the official AMI diploma. When all the subjects have been approved, the Final Master’s Thesis will be assessed, this being essential for receiving the title of Master from the University. This assignment may be completed in group. The Final Master’s Thesis consists of a composite assignment covering the whole course in the form of a report and research on a Montessori-related topic.

The final day of the course is Graduation Day. In this ceremony students will receive the AMI Montessori Guide 6 – 12 years Diploma, and the AMI Montessori Guide 6 – 12 years Master’s degree from the University of Girona.

In this ceremony there may be students who receive the AMI Diploma but not the Master’s degree if they did not have an approved University qualification or if their Master’s course final assessment has not been submitted or approved.

Students who have not completed the requirements to obtain the AMI diploma will have a maximum of one year to complete them.