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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. | Evaluated Learning Experience

Cultural Subjects in Science, Geography, History, Music, and Art: Materials for the Montessori Classroom (280)

Formerly Cultural Subjects: Science, Geography, History, Music, Art (280)
Course Category: 
Length: 

 Version 1 and 2: 45 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content.

Location: 
Various; distance learning format.
Dates: 

Version 1: September 2005 - April 2023. Version 2: May 2023 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Online/distance learning
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1 and 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: collect and present relevant ideas illustrating concepts in developing a theme in all cultural areas; design an integrated sequence of materials that move from simple to complex in expanding the context of a concept into other curriculum areas; create materials for independent work in all cultural areas that are age appropriate for preschool children; use appropriate background material and resources to explain and analyze the purpose and value of each cultural area; and discuss and demonstrate the experience of creating art that displays individual expression while utilizing a particular technique with a variety of media.

Instruction: 

Version 1: This course provides students with a basic foundation in five cultural subjects: music, science, geography, history, and art. In the Montessori classroom, cultural subjects are not divided because they overlap in so many different ways. In reviewing basic ideas and in experiencing the concepts in a form that is age-appropriate for preschool children in day care and Head Start settings, students develop a foundation of skills upon which they can expand to broaden children's understanding of the world that surrounds them. The music component is a fundamental introduction to the elements of music, to basic ideas and activities of listening, movement, call and response, echo rhythms, and ways of developing young children's voices. In the science component, children begin with basic concepts of physical and geological science with magnification, prisms, magnets, volcanoes, rocks, etc. Botany and zoology, plants and animals, follow. Students construct an exploration journal that highlights observation skills. The geography component begins with the understanding of spatial relationships and expands to include globes, maps, people, cultures, and the world, both local and global. In the history component, the emphasis is on the development of an understanding of time. Only then can children begin to develop a concept of the history of the earth and its people. The art component fills an important role in children's ability to visualize and conceptualize their ideas about the world. The emphasis is on encouraging classroom teachers to teach techniques and not outcomes. Students create five albums, one in each area of study, that illustrate the correct use of materials in developmentally appropriate activities. Version 2: Same as Version 1. Major topics include Montessori Science Overview and Lessons including Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry; Montessori Geography overview and lessons including culture, globe, maps, continents, flags, and community; Montessori history overview and lessons including timelines, family tree, and famous people; Montessori Art and Music overview and lessons including forms, techniques, and famous artists.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (8/06) (11/11 revalidation) (11/16 revalidation). Version 2: In the associate/certificate degree category OR in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Education, or Montessori Education (5/23 revalidation).

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