Prerequisites

Preparation For The Academic Phase

Once you have completed your full CMStep application, the following items must be completed:

• Introduction to Secondary Montessori: Required before starting Minimester I. This six-week, paced online course introduces Montessori philosophy, adolescent development, and the structure of secondary classrooms.
• Pretraining Readings: These books are required for use in Minimesters I-III. Annotated copies will be required for the in-person Summer I session. All other required books and materials will be provided during in-person courswork.
  • Children Of The Universe, Cosmic Education In The Montessori Classroom by Michael and Neil Duffy
  • Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach To Education From Birth To Adulthood by Paula Polk Lillard
  • Brainstorm: The Power And Purpose Of The Teenage Brain by Dan Siegel
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
• The Overview Course: This required, self-paced course introduces Montessori philosophy and Elementary-level practices. It must be completed before your credential is awarded (unless you already hold an EL Montessori credential). It is recommended, though not required, that this course be completed before Summer I. This course is available with rolling enrollment from January 1 to December 31. You will have access from the date your application is complete to December 31 of the same year. Required books include:
  • The Secret Of Childhood by Maria Montessori
  • The Discovery Of The Child by Maria Montessori