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 philosopgy 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 – 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

Preparation For The Academic Phase

1. Begin the online Overview course (required for all adult learners without previous Elementary Montessori training and credential). Adult learners will receive information to begin the Overview course once their application is accepted. It is recommended, though not required, that this course be completed before Summer 1. Required books:

• The Secret Of Childhood by Maria Montessori
• The Discovery Of The Child by Maria Montessori

2. Books to purchase, read, annotate, and bring to in-person Summer 1:

• Brainstorm: The Power And Purpose Of The Teenage Brain by Dan Siegel
• The Child is the Teacher by Cristina de Stefano
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond

3. Articles to download, read, annotate, and bring to in-person Summer 1:

• Community And Engagement: Restoring The Process By Marta Donahoe
• Listening Project By Marta Donahoe
• Clark Montessori Preparing Students For Life After High School By Elizabeth Conkin
• The Way We Gather By Marta Donahoe
• Lasting Peace The Work Of Education By Marta Donahoe
• Liberty And Hope For The Adolescent: Valorization Of The Personality By Marta Donahoe
• Where Is Everybody: Valorization In A World That Could Be By Marta Donahoe
• Widening The Circle By Marta Donahoe
• What’s The Difference? Best Practices And The Montessori Secondary Program By Marta Donahoe

4. Watch all of the short videos located here before in-person Summer 1