I’m a planner. What can I say?! I have a military background that trained me to backwards plan to the second which makes me always planning in my mind. This time I’m planning for the future of my children’s education. A little daunting, but I find things are less stressful when you have a plan. Here’s some research to help you start Montessori elementary planning for your homeschool.
YouTube for Information
I’m a visual learner so I like to watch videos about what I’m researching. This video is very helpful to understand Montessori is just as hands on in the elementary years as it is in the primary years. I love hearing from high school seniors excited about their Montessori education!
Here are a couple YouTube channels I follow that will also help you with your elementary age Montessori child.
Tim Seldin gives some great information on why you should continue your Montessori education into the elementary school years. I know I have been asked by family and friends why I have chosen Montessori and if I plan on continuing after primary years. It’s good to have some knowledge behind why we use Montessori with our children.
Montessori Live is a great collection of videos on giving Montessori lessons to Montessori elementary aged children.
Eric Johnson has a huge collection of how to give Montessori math lessons. Math is something I’m truly terrified to teach my children so it is great to have how-to videos to reference.
Collecting Materials
The biggest reason for my forward thinking is to spread out the cost of Montessori materials. I am so grateful for wonderful Montessori tutorials that have helped me make many of the Montessori materials my children use in our home, but as children get older the materials become more complex and the necessity for quality materials is needed. I had a little sticker shock when I saw the price to outfit our home with Montessori elementary materials. I am happy to see many of these materials have already found a home with us but I hope to be more familiar the elementary materials so I can purchase them as I see them on sale or can acquire them as they are being sold second hand.
Montessori for Everyone has a great list and resources for Elementary 9-12.
This PDF of Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom Inventory has a complete list of all materials in a Montessori lower elementary classroom including furniture, wall hangings, and classroom management references.
Living Montessori Now has a great post on Free Montessori Elementary Materials Online. I love FREE!
Curriculum
I feel better about my homeschooling when I have a curriculum to follow. Here are a couple suggestions for Montessori elementary programs and research sites.
Montessori for Everyone has Elementary workplans and teacher tools.
Pinegreewoods shares a ton of great information for researching elementary aged Montessori students.
World Biomes has an amazing collection of biomes complete with helpful descriptions and pictures.
Check Montessori Muddle for middle and high school level Montessori children.
Montessori for the Earth has an affordable complete curriculum for 6 to 9 year olds.
If you have been schooling elementary aged children with the Montessori method, please feel free to add any helpful resources in the comment section or continue the conversation with us in our Christian Montessori Network Facebook group.
Titled photo from here.
The Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom Inventory returns a 404 message when I click on it. Do you have that pdf available elsewhere?
Are you homeschooling your children using the Montessori method? Are you planning to that into lower elementary? what does reading/writing education look like? I downloaded the workplans you linked to, but there’s no real instruction on what it means to play the “Addition Bingo Game”, for example. It just lists it as an item?
I am exploring Montessori education at home for my 7 year old who is currently in 2nd grade on most subjects, but in 1st grade in reading/writing. I would like some examples of what a work plan looks like, what the school room needs to be equipped with, and some sample lesson plans or guides on what to teach. Can you link me over to what you use that has helped?
Hi Cassidy, I have updated the link above so it is working now.