Module Details

Module Code: EDUC8048
Title: Montessori: Middle Childhood
Long Title: Montessori: Middle Childhood
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 1420 - Education Studies
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to give the student an understanding of the Montessori pedagogy for children from six to twelve years of age. Montessori designed or informed pedagogical materials will be explored as a medium for supporting the child’s holistic development and scaffolding their learning in the areas of practical life, numeracy, literacy, and understanding the world. Planning and delivering learning opportunities using culture material (history, geography, science). Learning will be experiential in nature; therefore, regular class attendance is required to successfully complete the assessment components. The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Evaluate Montessori philosophy and pedagogy for the holistic development of the child from six to twelve years of age.
LO2 Appraise Montessori pedagogy through the lenses of Aistear, the Primary School Curriculum and policy documents relating to School Age Childcare.
LO3 Plan, deliver, assess and evaluate inclusive learning opportunities for children from six to twelve years of age.
LO4 Utilise provocations to expand the child's understanding of the world around them.
LO5 Develop Montessori influenced pedagogical materials for use with children in the second plane of development.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Montessori Philosophy
Second plane of development; sensitive periods; holistic development; use of creativity and imagination; principles of the prepared environment; freedom; society by cohesion; cosmic education.
Montessori Pedagogy
Prepared environment; freedom, self-discipline; wider horizons; imagination as a tool for understanding the world; exploring numeracy and literacy using concrete material; Aistear, Primary School Curriculum and School Age Childcare policy documents as frameworks for Montessori pedagogy; independent exploration and learning; cosmic education; culture and creativity; cosmic projects; incorporating children's rights; encouraging exploration and philosophising; democratic practices in middle childhood.
Role of the Facilitator
Observation; planning; documenting; assessing; supporting transitions; personal preparation – dispositions, attitudes, skills, values, code of ethics, code of professional responsibilities; partnership with parents.
Montessori Materials
Moving from concrete to abstract learning; exploring through the senses; numeracy; literacy; understanding the world; providing provocations that adhere to Montessori principles.
Professional Practice
Best practice guidelines for school age childcare; learning in a Montessori primary school; meeting the needs of the six to twelve-year-old in a variety of settings; holistic development in a variety of settings for children in middle childhood.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Plan, deliver and review learning opportunities using Montessori pedagogy in the cultural studies area. Learning will be experiential in nature; therefore, regular class attendance is required to successfully complete the assessment components. The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Present critique of Montessori philosophy and pedagogy through the lens of national curriculum, curriculum frameworks and guidelines. Learning will be experiential in nature; therefore, regular class attendance is required to successfully complete the assessment components. The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Plan, deliver and review learning opportunities using Montessori pedagogy for numeracy and literacy. Learning will be experiential in nature; therefore, regular class attendance is required to successfully complete the assessment components. The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat the module
The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery. The student must reattend the module in its entirety in order to be reassessed.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Tutorial Contact Class discussions, presentations and working with Montessori pedagogical materials. Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent and guided reading and research. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Tutorial Contact Class discussions, presentations and working with Montessori pedagogical materials. Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent and guided reading and research. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Montessori, M.. (1994), From Childhood to Adolescence, ABC-Clio Ltd, Oxford, England, [ISBN: 1851091858].
  • Montessori, M.. (1995), The Advanced Montessori Method II, ABC-Clio Ltd, Oxford, England, [ISBN: 1851092331].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Montessori, M.. (1988), The Absorbent Mind, Clio Press Ltd., Oxford, England, [ISBN: 1851090878].
  • Montessori, M.. (1989), To Educate the Human Potential, ABC-Clio Ltd, Oxford, England, [ISBN: 1851090940].
  • Roney, K. & Lipka, R.P. (Eds). (2021), "School is Life, Not a Preparation for Life" - John Dewey: Democratic Practices in Middle Grades Education, Information Age Publishing, [ISBN: 1648023789].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HMOED_8 Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Montessori Education 5 Mandatory