Elementary (Ages 6-12) Course Catalog
4. Course Requirements
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The AMI course requirements include lecture attendance, participation in supervised practice sessions, classroom observations, classroom practice teaching, preparation of illustrated course albums and specified classroom materials, written AMI theory and practice examinations, and oral examinations conducted by an examiner of the AMI. Internal evaluations are conducted by the training staff in order to help the student meet the requirements of the diploma.
Before taking oral exams, the student must be up to date on the requirements of the course. At the conclusion of the course, all fees must have been paid before the diploma or any unofficial or official transcripts can be released. Partial credit is never granted and partial transcripts are never issued. During the course of study, if all fees have been paid or if the student is current with payments on an approved tuition payment plan, and if the student has met all work deadlines, the student is entitled to a statement of good standing as of the date of issue. However, no interim reports of progress or personal references are given while the student is enrolled in the course. |
Courses which lead to an AMI Diploma must meet standards with regard to content. Upon successful completion of course requirements, participants of recognized training courses are awarded an AMI Diploma. The diploma does not qualify the bearer to train other teachers, and so states.
Each student in the course is personally responsible for being aware of and completing all requirements of the program. A full calendar and schedule, listing all due dates, is given to students on the first day of classes. Records are kept of each student’s attendance, including tardiness, for lectures, discussions, reviews, and supervised practice sessions. Records of observations and practice teaching are signed by the cooperating Guides and form part of the student’s permanent file.
Children’s House (Classroom) Materials
Certain materials necessary for the presentations given to children must be prepared by the student and approved by the training staff. Some materials are not produced by manufacturers, and are thus handmade or collected by the student. Techniques are learned for embellishing, decorating, color coding, sewing, framing and mounting. Aesthetics and beauty are the hallmark of a Montessori environment. Students learn skills that focus on exactitude and order when designing new items for the prepared environment. |
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Theory Lectures
Theory lectures present an overview of Montessori thought on human development from birth to adulthood, with an emphasis on child psychology and development from the ages of six through twelve (Elementary). The lectures integrate educational principles and practices with Maria Montessori’s view on developmental psychology. Students write a theory album to consolidate their understanding of the philosophy, as well as to serve as a future tool for outreach and advocacy work with parents and other education professionals. |
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Supervised Practicals
AMI requires a minimum number of hours, which are incorporated into the course schedule. Because of the nature of a summer course, when students spend so much time away from the training center, more hours are scheduled so that ample time is available for students to reach a personal understanding and clarity in presentation. |
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Course Albums
Each student is required to produce original, typed, and fully illustrated albums (reference books) which reflect the content of the course. Notes and sketches taken during the lectures are used as the basis for these albums. Fully edited and illustrated assignments are due every Monday of the summer sessions. The last assignment of the first two summers will be mailed to MIA or a designated reader a few weeks after the end of the course. This will also be the case for each of the seminar assignments. In the last summer, all corrections from previous readings are expected to have been made, and complete albums are submitted for final review before the oral examinations. Albums are then submitted at the final AMI oral examinations to the Board of Examiners. |
 Books, Readings, and Other Assignments
Students are required to read Dr. Montessori’s books and make use of them for their written work, as well as discussions and examinations. A list of required books is provided upon acceptance. It is recommended that the books be read prior to enrollment (see bibliography).
Students may be asked to write essays during the year on various topics in order to integrate essential aspects of Montessori pedagogy.
AMI requires attendance at all of the lectures, demonstrations, and practice sessions held during the course time period (with a very small number of excused absences permitted).
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Observations (in Montessori Schools)
A minimum number of hours of observation of children in pre-approved Elementary environments directed by a Montessori Guide holding an AMI Elementary Diploma is required. Students observe in two different Elementary classrooms other than those in the school where they are employed. Each session is for full days in each classroom for two consecutive weeks. Specific guidelines will be given in the first summer. Students who are employed are responsible for informing their employers of these four weeks of absence. Students make their own arrangements, but they must be pre-approved by the Director of Training. In the case of the student in an area that does not offer classrooms for observation, travel to another city may be necessary to fulfill the requirement. Expenses for such are the responsibility of the individual student. Observation journals and summary papers will be submitted for evaluation within three weeks of the completion of each session. (no submission at oral exams) |
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Practice Teaching (in Montessori Schools)
A minimum number of hours of practice teaching with children in pre-approved Elementary environments directed by a guide holding an AMI Elementary Diploma specific to the appropriate Elementary level is required. Students practice teach in two different environments and are expected to make their own arrangements for transportation to the off-site schools. Specific guidelines will be given in the second summer. Verification paperwork will be submitted for evaluation. Practice Teaching Journals are evaluated during the course and are submitted at the final oral exams to the board of examiners. |
Written Examinations
Each student writes essay examinations in Montessori theory and in Montessori pedagogy (theory as related to practice). The exams take place on three mornings in the third summer.
Students who defer one or more examination(s) are permitted to retake the necessary examination(s) at a time designated by the Director of Training. Given that this is a one-time course, the student will need to travel to another Elementary training center in the next year to retake the exam. Travel and additional exam fees are the responsibility of the student. The written examinations may be taken only twice for successful completion of the particular course. If the written examinations are deferred the second time and if the student wishes to receive a diploma, the student must reapply to the course.
Oral Examinations
A panel of examiners is chaired by an external examiner appointed by AMI. This panel of examiners administers an oral examination of approximately three to four hours’ duration.
Students who defer the oral examination are permitted to retake the necessary portion(s) at a time designated by the Director of Training. The oral examination may be taken only twice for successful completion of the particular course. If the oral examination is deferred the second time and the student wishes to continue, the student must reapply as a new applicant.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to read, sign, and adhere to a policy on academic integrity (i.e., honor code), which essentially requires that all work performed or submitted is personally done by the student to others. Plagiarism is grounds for dismissal from the course.
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