This is a (short) list of books that are invaluable to me while preparing and directing the work of my elementary Montessori child.
Children of the Universe Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom by Michael and D’Neil Duffy. This title focuses on the Great Lessons and Key Lessons of the Montessori Elementary Classroom. Chapter by chapter stories are presented with explanations of the diagrams and story telling materials that enhance the Great Lessons. There is also a chart at the back of the book featuring a schedule of when to present the stories, (but I’ll be darned if I can figure it out:))
Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood by Paula Polk Lillard. This book starts at the birth of a child explaining how a Montessori approach would benefit and be used. This book is has only one chapter on the 3-6 age bracket, and about 100 pages of the book focus on the 6-12 year old. It talks about how your 6-12 year old will differ in needs and brain functions from the 3-6 year old and how you can educate them differently. Yes, storytelling and fantasy are embraced at this age level, who would have ever thought? The author talks about personal experience at her school with 6-9 and 9-12-year-old children, what a classroom day looks like, what the Great Lessons are for, and more.
Reading With Phonics by Hay Wingo. This is a complete reading and phonics book, filled to the brim with word lists for making all of your Montessori language work lists. It’s from the 1950′s and has some freaky clown illustrations, but the resource is amazing.
Teaching Montessori in the Home The School Years by Elizabeth Hainstock. This book is full of illustrations and step by step directions to teach your child all the Math and Language functions at the 6-9 level.
