Category: Montessori

Circle Time Original Presentation
Circle time is an important aspect of a child’s social development. During circle time, the teacher will engage the class together to give the children a break from the routine work cycle. Circle time is a good time to introduce new topics/ideas to the children without a formal presentation. The teacher can incorporate relevant cultural elements of the children, set up themes of the month, or address certain classroom issues to teach the children in an alternative way. Circle time helps to build classroom management skills as one of the goals is to engage the children through fun activities. It is important to develop creative activities for the children that they can relate to and learn from.
Assignment Description: You will be expected to submit a report that details the following components of an engaging Circle Time. 
Creation – How did you come up with the idea or concept?
Development – How did you develop features of the activity? Could you incorporate any Montessori materials to elevate the circle time experience?
Planning – How will you order or sequence the elements of your presentation? What steps are involved?
Implementation – How will you keep the children engaged throughout the activity? Will you ask the children to engage with any materials? 
Contingency Plan – How will you involve all the children, especially those who are ‘wanderers’? What will happen with the child(ren) with learning differences? Experienced teachers have all of these scenarios of group dynamics assessed.
Reflection – How did it go? What would you do differently next time? What did the children particularly enjoy?
Your Circle Time can incorporate Music, Language, Story Telling, Nature Culture, etc. The goal of this presentation is to assess your planning and creativity, originality and ability to choose engaging topics which involve the children and assess your classroom management skills.

Childcare Ministry Regulations
As a prospective Montessori guide, it is important to know and understand local laws and guidelines that regulate the childcare industry in your region. Montessori guides must abide by the standardized regulations set forth by the authorities and legislation in the best interest of a child’s health and wellbeing. This assignment will assist you to become familiar with the child care regulations which apply to your community.
Assignment Description: Define, discuss and explain the significance of the regulations in your area with respect to five of the topics below.
Some topics you may choose to explain in your report include:
Classroom Ratios
Medical Allergies 
Child Centre/Building Regulations
Child Care – Duty to report
Staff Qualifications
Emergency Preparedness
Administrative Matters
Record-Keeping
The report should be no less than 2 pages, typed and double spaced. 
To help with your report, below are some resources:
Ontario: Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
Child, Youth and Family Services Act
Alberta: Early Learning and Child Care Act
Saskatchewan: The Child Care Regulations, 2015

Practicum Reflection Report
It is important for Montessori guides to have a deep understanding of Montessori theory and practice. The aim of this course is to allow the opportunity for you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life situations and experiences in the classroom. The purpose of this report is to assess what you have learned and taken away from your Practicum experience.
Assignment Description: Compare, reflect and consider Dr. Montessori’s observations with your own observations and experiences during your Practicum with the following headings:
Sensitive Periods
The Absorbent Mind
Adult/Child Interactions
Guidelines:
Minimum of 750 words, typed and double-spaced.
Minimum of 3 relevant quotations.
Minimum of 3 relevant examples or experiences from your own observations in the classroom.
Define all relevant Montessori terms.
Appropriate citations and bibliography.

Contribution to the Community
The relationship between the Montessori guide and childrens’ parents is important. Therefore, effectively communicating with the parents, especially new parents and families, about the Montessori educational method is important. Families should be familiar with what to expect so they feel involved in their child’s transition to the school environment and progress.
Assignment Description: Welcome Newsletter to Infant Toddler Families
You will create and develop a digital newsletter for Infant Toddler families. The communication is intended to be shared with those enrolling their children into the classroom, outlining what to expect during their child’s first month of school.
Items to include in the Newsletter:
Welcome Letter
Program Overview
Proposed Schedule 
Introduction of Guide(s)/Teacher(s) 
Transition Guidelines and Tips
Introduction to Montessori
Bridging the Gap Between Home and School
Helpful Resources (i.e. books, websites, etc)

Contribution to the Classroom
Actively contributing to the classroom is an important characteristic of a Montessori guide. Creating innovative materials, activities and presentations for the children promotes further learning through the interaction with the materials and active engagement. We encourage Interns to bring in or create original materials, introduce arts and crafts, new songs and books to diversify the children’s experience with educational tools. It is important for Interns to incorporate their knowledge of Montessori methodology in the creation of original materials.
Assignment Description: You must write five short accounts (minimum of 150 words each) of five experiences showcasing your evidence of involvement in the classroom. Please include any relevant pictures. For example, did you introduce any new ideas to the environment? Were any books, original materials, craft ideas, etc brought in?

Observation Report: Toddler
Points 60
Submitting a file upload
It is necessary to read “About Observation and Observation Reports” for detailed information that will help you complete this assignment successfully.
Guidelines:
You must write an Observation Report after 10 hours of observation of a in a Toddler class.
The observation method must be narrative OR tracking. A template for the narrative and tracking methods are provided below.
The Observation Report must include the following components:
Goal
Description of the Environment & Background Information (including a hand-drawn or computer-generated diagram of the environment). Please note: If you are hand-drawing the diagram, please use a ruler and neat annotations.
Observations
Evaluation
Reflection
Bibliography
Raw observation notes must be included with the report submission.
The final observation report must be typed, in 12pt font with correct spelling and grammar
Use the Observation Log provided below to record your hours. Please submit your Observation Log along with your Observation Report.
Observation Log.docx Download Observation Log.docx 
Narrative Observation Report Template.docx Download Narrative Observation Report Template.docx 
Tracking Observation Report Template.docx Download Tracking Observation Report Template.docx 
Sample Diagram of Classroom.docx Download Sample Diagram of Classroom.docx 
Sample Diagram of Classroom with Tracking Methodology.docx Download Sample Diagram of Classroom with Tracking Methodology.docx 
Rubric
Assessment Sheet for Observation Report
Assessment Sheet for Observation Report
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGoal
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
A goal is included that clearly and accurately states the intent of the report.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
A goal is included that somewhat clearly and accurately states the intent of the report.
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
A satisfactory goal is included that somewhat states the intent of the report.
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
The goal does not accurately and clearly state the intent of the report.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescription of the Environment Including a diagram and Background Information
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
A detailed and accurate physical and social description of the environment and background information is included. The diagram is excellent, neat and precisely represents the environment.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
A somewhat detailed physical and social description of the environment and background information is included. The diagram is good and represents the environment.
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
A vague physical and social description of the environment and background information is included. The social description is missing. A passable diagram of the environment.
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
The description of the physical and social characteristics of the environment lack an appropriate level of detail. The diagram does not represent the environment.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeObservations
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
The report is completely objective, non-judgmental and written in the present tense.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
The report is mainly objective, non- judgmental and written in the present tense.
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
The report is at times subjective, and some judgmental comments are made. Tenses are sometimes intermixed.
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
The report contains many subjective and judgmental comments. Tenses are intermixed.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEvaluation & Quotes
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
An excellent evaluation of the observations is included, demonstrating strong knowledge of child development connecting to Dr. Montessori’s observations and/or quotes
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
A good evaluation of the observations is included, demonstrating proficient knowledge of child development connecting to Dr. Montessori’s observations and/or quotes.
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
A satisfactory evaluation of the observations is included, demonstrating satisfactory knowledge of child development connecting to Dr. Montessori’s observations and/or quotes.
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
The evaluation lacks detail and depth, demonstrating a lack of knowledge of child development connecting to Dr. Montessori’s observations and/or quotes.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflection
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
An excellent effort of meaningful, genuine reflection is demonstrated that offers productive insight for future observations
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
A good effort of meaningful, genuine reflection is demonstrated that offers productive insight for future observations
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
A satisfactory effort of meaningful, genuine reflection is demonstrated that offers productive insight for future observations
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
Minimal meaningful, genuine, effort is demonstrated that offers productive insight for future observations
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Skills and Correct use of English and Bibliography
10 to >8.0 pts
Excellent
The report is grammatically correct with no spelling or punctuation errors. All sources are correctly cited and referenced.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
The report has a few grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors. Most sources are correctly cited and referenced.
6 to >4.0 pts
Satisfactory
The report has a fair number of grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors. Some sources are correctly cited and referenced.
4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
The report has many grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors. Sources are not correctly cited and referenced.
10 pts
Total Points: 60