ECE 350: History of Montessori Education

Course Description

This course will focus on helping students understand the philosophy which guides the Montessori Method. A historical and comparative perspective of leading Early Childhood theorists will allow for a deep understanding of how Maria Montessori formulated her philosophy and classroom materials. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Become familiar with the life and work of Maria Montessori within the historical context of her time.
  2. Correlate Montessori’s philosophy with other theorists in the field of Early Childhood Education.
  3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the Montessori Philosophy and related concepts such as absorbent mind, sensitive periods, independence, freedom within limits, prepared environment, normalization, respect, etc.
  4. Explain how the Montessori Method helps each child develop within himself the foundations for a lifetime of creative learning.
  5. Clearly define the role of a teacher in a Montessori classroom (relationships with the children, care of self, care of environment, preparation of materials, sequencing, observation, record-keeping, classroom management, etc.).

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions

12%

Midterm Exam (Week 4)

8%

Five Reaction Papers (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

50%

Observation Assignment (Week 7)

10%

Final Exam (Week 7)

10%

Final Paper (Week 8)

10%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Lillard, Paula Polk. (1972) Montessori: A Modern Approach. Shocken Books; New York. ISBN: 0-8052-0920-4
  • Montessori, Maria. (1964) The Montessori Method Shocken Books; New York. ISBN: 0-8052-0922-0
  • Mooney, Carol Garhart (2013) Theories of Childhood: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erickson, Piaget & Vygotsky. 2nd. edition. Redleaf Press. ISBN-13: 9781605541389
  • Standing, E.M. (1998) Maria Montessori: Her Life and Her Work. Plume-Penguin Group Publishing. ISBN: 0-452-27989-5

Optional Textbook

Not Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

 

1

1, 4

Topic: Maria Montessori: The Person

  • Readings:
    • Lillard - Chapter 1 (pp 1-28)
    • Standing - Chapters 1-4 (pp. 21 - 72)
    • Article - "Dr. Montessori's Legacy" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Create Montessori Timeline (not to be graded)
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Reaction Paper 1 Due
 

2

1, 2, 3, 4

Topic: Montessori: The Philosophy

  • Readings:
    • Lillard - Chapter 2 (pp 29-49)
    • Mooney - Chapters 1-3 (pp. 1-57)
    • Article - "The Montessori Way" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Reaction Paper 2 Due
 

3

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Topic: The Method

  • Readings:
    • Lillard - Chapter 3 (pp 50- 90)
    • Article - "The Characteristics of an Authentic Montessori School" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Reaction Paper 3 Due
 

4

1, 2, 3, 5

Topic: The Teacher

  • Readings:
    • Montessori - Chapter 6 (pp 107-118)
    • Mooney - Chapters 4 & 5 (pp 59- 95)
    • Article - "The Montessori Teacher or Guide" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Midterm Exam Due
 

Midterm Exam
Will include all assigned readings from weeks 1-4
SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

 

5

1, 3, 4

Topic: The Child

  • Readings:
    • Standing - Chapters 5-10 (pp 89 -182)
    • Article - "Sensitive Periods" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Reaction Paper 4 Due
 

6

1, 3, 4

Topic: Discipline in a Montessori Classroom

  • Readings:
    • Montessori - Chapter 5 (pp 86-104)
    • Montessori - Chapter 21 (pp 346-367)
    • Article - "The Montessori Approach to Discipline" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Reaction Paper 5 Due
 

7

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Topic: Montessori Today

  • Readings:
    • Lillard - Chapter 6 (pp 138-154)
    • Article - "Montessori and traditional Education: Philosophical Perspectives and Approaches in Contrast" (located in weekly content folder)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Final Exam Due
 

 

Final Exam
Will include questions from all assigned readings from Weeks 5-7
SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

8

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Topic: Final Week

  • Readings:
    • There are no assigned readings for this week.
  • Observation Due
  • Final Paper Due
  • Complete Course Evaluation
 

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.