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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Teacher Training Program

NOTE: The Teacher Training Program represents a two-year integrated learning experience; therefore, credit is recommended only after an individual has successfully completed the entire program.

Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences

Length:

Version 1 and 2: 48 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content.

Dates:

Version 1: April 1996 - April 2023. Version 2: May 2023 - Present.

Objectives:

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: introduce developmentally appropriate activities in an actual classroom setting based on concepts, philosophy and approach presented in the course; observe and record outcomes in child development, and write and implement appropriate lesson plans for each curriculum area; create a healthy, safe, welcoming learning environment for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers; present and adapt materials for individual children with or without disabilities; recognize signs of suspected child abuse and follow correct guidelines for reporting; establish relationships with parents who are supportive of the child in a social learning environment; and complete all required documentation with accuracy. Version 2: Students will be able to: identify characteristics of the classroom based upon respect, observation, and preparation; utilize objective observational techniques and to compare and revise present practices to better meet the needs of the children in their classrooms; define positive discipline, manage a balance of positive guidance and freedom in the classroom, and identify needed interventions; plan and implement a cycle of planning and tracking that supports reflection and feedback;  apply the goals of dialogic reading to support critical thinking skills; identify developmental delays and to create individual approaches to support needed skills; recognize the signs of abuse and neglect and to participate in parental understanding of what NYS identifies as abuse; create nutritional activities that promote better health among children according to federal guidelines; observe and revise indoor and outdoor practices that may be unhealthy or unsafe; identify and support age appropriate understanding of moral development; record learning outcomes in social, emotional, physical and cognitive areas using theories of development found in the ideas of the key educational theorists; and plan changes in the learning environment which best serve developing needs.

Instruction:

Version 1 and 2: This course prepares students to manage the day-to-day requirements of an Early Childhood Head Start or Day Care classroom, including respect, observation, and preparation. Respect for children, for parents, for fellow staff members, and supervisors is a goal that is built into every session. Students are introduced to multiple forms of observation that are the basis for the preparation of the learning and social environment. The areas of preparation cover the environment, discipline/positive guidance, planning and recording, communication, and staff development. Health, safety, nutrition, and working with exceptional needs children are a focus of the course. Components of the course are also geared to providing freedom, structure and order, reality and nature, beauty and atmosphere, leading to the development of a community of children. Topics include: starting the year; arrangement of the classroom; discipline/positive guidance techniques; health and safety procedures; program planning; record keeping; team building; and maintenance of materials. Students make three observational visits to several local Montessori programs and prepare child studies and classroom management reports.

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (6/00) (8/06 revalidation) (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). 

Length:

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

Dates:

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

Objectives:

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).

Length:

45 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content. 

Dates:

January 2023 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: classify language development materials into five different areas: writing, language patterning, phonetic analysis, age-appropriate literature/drama/poetry, and grammar; create language materials for the infant and preschool classroom and adapt materials for children of different levels of development; create original Montessori lessons and present in a classroom setting utilizing Montessori principles; and demonstrate proficiency using materials in supervised practice via individual presentations and testing.

Instruction:

Major topics include language philosophy and methodology, oral language overview and Montessori lessons, writing overview and Montessori lessons, reading overview and Montessori lessons, parts of speech overview and Montessori lessons, and practical application of lessons in the classroom.

Credit recommendation:

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).

Length:

45 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content.

Dates:

February 2023 – Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: exhibit the correct use of math manipulatives for preschoolers through hands-on experience with materials; explain the importance of the "'control of error" in the development of the ''mathematical mind;" classify different areas of math skills and order the steps of learning in the presentations; create original Montessori lessons and present in a classroom setting utilizing Montessori principles; show evidence of proficiency in using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations for the class; and exhibit proficiency in using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations for the class and testing.

Instruction:

Major topics include Montessori Math philosophy and methodology, numbers to ten overview and Montessori lessons, decimal system overview and Montessori lessons, the four operations overview and Montessori lessons, teens, tens and hundreds overview and Montessori lessons, memorization overview and Montessori lessons, and practical application of Montessori math lessons in the classroom.

Credit recommendation:

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).

Length:

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

Dates:

Version 1: April 1996 - April 2023. Version 2: May 2023 - Present.

Objectives:

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be to: arrange  and maintain classroom areas of practical life and sensorial materials; create and use age appropriate materials and adjust all materials for these areas to meet different developmental stages; help children function in their own environment; care for the environment and increase their attention span; develop self-discipline, and refine gross and fine motor skills through practical life activities; support children's development in sensorial skills of matching, sorting, and exploration of the five senses through the use of concrete manipulative materials; and research and create materials that are age appropriate for preschool children. Version 2: Students will be able to: arrange and maintain classroom areas of practical life; create and correctly utilize age-appropriate materials, and adjust all materials to meet different developmental stages; teach children to function in their own environment, to care for the environment, and to increase their attention span, develop self-discipline, and refine fine and gross motor skills; create original Montessori lessons and present in a classroom setting utilizing Montessori principles; and exhibit proficiency in using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations for the class and testing.

Instruction:

Version 1 and 2: This course introduces students to the materials for Practical Life. Students learn to utilize materials familiar to children's own environment to help them in the development of an increased attention span, self-discipline, gross and fine motor skills, and a sense of independence; share in the skills of grace and courtesy and care of the environment that aid children in developing a sense of cooperation and community; explore the sensory materials which isolate each sense and aid children in sensory discrimination through matching, grading, sorting and other manipulative exercises of order and construction; arrange, maintain, and present these materials within the classroom and adjust presentations to fit the stages of development of children. In addition, students create materials that are age appropriate and serve the developing skills of the children; illustrate their presentations in an organized album for each area and write essays that summarize concepts and philosophy of the Montessori Method that are applicable to the practical life and sensorial areas. There are nine hours of supervised practice with student partners along with six hours of oral presentation.

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (6/00) (8/06 revalidation) (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, or Montessori Education (5/23 revalidation). 

Length:

45 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content.

Dates:

November 2022 – Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: show evidence that they support children's development in sensorial skills of matching, sorting, grading, and exploration of the five senses through the use of concrete manipulative materials; research and create materials that are age-appropriate for infant and preschool children; create original Montessori lessons and present in a classroom setting utilizing Montessori principles; develop proficiency in using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations for the class; discuss the subject through practicum and testing; and demonstrate proficiency using the material in supervised practice and via individual presentation and testing. 

Instruction:

Major topics include Sensorial Philosophy and Methodology, The Three Period Lesson; Visual Learning Overview and Montessori Lessons; Tactile Overview and Montessori Lessons, Auditory Overview and Montessori Lessons, Olfactory Overview and Montessori Lessons, Practical Application of Sensorial Montessori Lessons in the Classroom. 

Credit recommendation:

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). 

Length:

Version 1: Minimum 216 hours of supervised practicum/field experience. Version 2: Minimum 168 hours of supervised practicum/field experience. Version 3: 40 days (280 hours). Version 4: 95 hours of direct instruction and observation with a Supervisor. 

Dates:

Version 1: April 1996 - August 2005. Version 2: September 2005 - August 2008. NOTE: Version 2 was divided to create a similar supervised practicum/field experience in a course entitled Family and Community (360). Please refer to that exhibit for more information. Version 3: September 2008 - April 2023. Version 4: May 2023 - Present. 

Objectives:

Version 1, 2, and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: carry out developmentally appropriate activities in an actual classroom setting based on the concepts, philosophy, and approach presented in the lecture; write and implement appropriate lesson plans for each curriculum area; develop practical classroom skills that integrate the philosophy, materials, and methods of the Montessori approach; track the developmental growth of a particular child; discuss and use observation tools for tracking various aspects of a child's development; recognize the importance of cooperation and planning in classroom management through the use of forms and checklists; practice time management in meeting responsibilities of the classroom and other responsibilities of the Early Childhood center; build confidence in oneself and experience success in the classroom or other roles of the Early Childhood program; and use evaluations and correction action plans to improve performance. Version 4: Students will be able to: carry out developmentally appropriate activities based upon the concepts and philosophy of the Montessori Approach in an actual classroom setting; create and implement appropriate lesson plans for each curriculum area; recognize the importance of cooperation and planning in classroom management through the use of forms and checklists; record and reflect upon classroom practices in positive emotional support, classroom management, and instructional support; practice time management in meeting responsibilities of the classroom and other responsibilities of the Early Childhood Center; build confidence in oneself and experience success in the classroom or other roles of the Early Childhood program; track the developmental growth of children in their classroom using observation tools for tracking various aspects of the child's development and to record the journey for review in monthly meetings with Child Study; incorporate feedback from the Montessori Assessment Feedback Form into their teaching methodology; and exhibit proficiency using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations.

Instruction:

Version 1, 2, 3 and 4: Under the direct observation and supervision of a head teacher, students observe children and write monthly diaries relating their observations to class discussion, engage children in developmentally appropriate activities, read articles and textual materials, conduct a child study and provide a monthly report, keep a journal, and view and discuss videos to support the concepts, philosophy, and approach presented in the lecture. Major topics include detailed goal setting, reflection, supervised instruction and observation, feedback, and lesson plan development  students can synthesize their learning across coursework and field experiences and apply this content and pedagogical knowledge in the Montessori classroom early childhood education settings. 

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 9 semester hours as a supervised field experience or internship in Montessori Education (6/00). Version 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours as a supervised field experience or internship in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (8/06 revalidation) (11/11 revalidation) (11/16 revalidation). Version 4: In the associate/certificate degree category OR in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours as a supervised field experience or internship in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Education, or Montessori Education (5/23 revalidation). *NOTE: Version 2 of this course was divided to create a similar Supervised Practicum/Field Experience in a course entitled Family and Community (360). Please refer to that exhibit for further information. 

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