Exploring Montessori 2020

Registration Temporarily Closed & Exploring Montessori is on Hold

Due to the COVID-19 Closures, we are forced to place this event on hold until the situation changes. We will be assessing options for holding this event in-person or online in the near future.

A One Day Early Childhood Seminar
Saturday, April 18, 2020 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Maple Tree Montessori Academy

Join us in exploring the Montessori Philosophy! Discover how it compares to other early childhood philosophies while achieving a similar goal of positive early childhood outcomes!

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” – Maria Montessori

Event Schedule

Registration & Continental Breakfast: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

General Opening Session: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Working With Children the Montessori Way

Heidi Gauger and Sue Fitzpatrick

Working with children is based on relationships and relationships are based on communication.  Children often respond best when we use respectful and mindful language with them.  The challenge comes in the heat of the moment when we are stressed – we react with a tone and language that we regret and they resist!

What if you had several ready phrases in your pocket for the many typical situations we all encounter in the early childhood environment? Wouldn’t it lower your stress and give you peace of mind. That is what Sue and Heidi can give you -many examples of Chick Moorman’s Teacher-Talk. Modeling this type of interaction with kids doesn’t guarantee that you will get it back immediately, but it creates the respectful culture in your environment.

Heidi is a master Montessori guide. She taught at Dearborn Heights Montessori Center and Livonia Montessori School. She is a Parent Talk and Teacher Talk facilitator Heidi has Montessori certification from MMTCE, her CDA credential, and a BSW in Family Life Education.

Sue is Director of Parent Education and Community Outreach at Dearborn Heights Montessori Center. She has 36 years combined Montessori classroom experience in preschool through middle school. Sue has a B.A. in Humanistic Studies and Philosophy, Montessori Primary credential from MMTCE, and Parent Talk and Teacher Talk trainer certifications.

Lunch and Networking: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Session 1 (Breakout Workshops): 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM

1. Stories & Books
Presented by Heidi Gauger

Do you want to improve the language skills, boost the memory, develop creative thinking skills and imagination, and enhance cultural understanding? Storytelling and creative use of books can open amazing worlds for the children in your care. Storytelling can be used in all areas and aspects of the classroom. Stories can be used to introduce a new topic, invite children to try new activity, discuss a challenge, engage the imagination, and offer insights to diverse experiences. Come on an adventure that often begins, “Once upon a time…”

2. Montessori Math: Concrete to Abstract
Presented by Sue Cherry

Sue Cherry, a Montessori Primary teacher for over 30 years and Director of Maple Tree Montessori Academy, will be exploring the multi-level Montessori Math Curriculum. We will be working with the sequencing of lessons, the interrelationships between concurrent works and tips to allow the child to work independently with the materials as they are gently led from concrete to abstract. Montessori Math is designed to nurture the child’s “mathematical mind” and encourage a lifelong love and full appreciation of Math.

3. Promoting a Growth Mindset
Presented by Sue Fitzpatrick

How we praise and respond to children has an immense effect on their motivation!  Children need to know that it is safe and necessary to take risks and experience failure. Creating a culture in our environment that promotes this safety is so important.  It involves language that communicates that the child is responsible for her learning, her decisions and essentially her own life.  We will explore some techniques for encouraging motivation by tapping into what children really need from us to develop resilience and confidence in their own sense of agency.

Break: 1:45PM – 2:00PM

Session 2 (Breakout Workshops): 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM

4. Montessori Language: Hands on Phonics
Presented by Julie Harrison

Julie Harrison, a Montessori Primary and Elementary teacher for 28 years, will be presenting the Early Childhood Language Curriculum of a Montessori classroom. She will show how a hands-on and carefully sequenced Montessori Language Curriculum leads the young child to an explosion of reading and writing, preparing the child for Grammar and Cultural studies.

5. Montessori Math: Concrete to Abstract (Repeat of Workshop #2)
Presented by Sue Cherry

Sue Cherry, a Montessori Primary teacher for over 30 years and Director of Maple Tree Montessori Academy, will be exploring the multi-level Montessori Math Curriculum. We will be working with the sequencing of lessons, the interrelationships between concurrent works and tips to allow the child to work independently with the materials as they are gently led from concrete to abstract. Montessori Math is designed to nurture the child’s “mathematical mind” and encourage a lifelong love and full appreciation of Math.

6. Exploring Emotional Intelligence: Self-Care Tools for the Teacher
Presented by Brigette Patton

Emotional Intelligence is a building block for care providers and children to connect in unique ways that empowers both with their inner authority. Emotions are something that we all carry with us at all times in order to measure the experiences we create in our world. We will be reflecting on current philosophies/belief systems and behaviors that are being used to develop desired outcomes in relation to emotional wisdom. We will create tools and systems in order to identify which belief systems and behaviors are helping reach desired results and which maybe interfering with their effectiveness. Results and outcomes will be emotion-based in focus rather than task and goal oriented.

Brigette is married and a mother of 3. She is a Spiritual Entrepreneur and a published author. Brigette’s background includes Equine Guided Learning and Neuro Linguistics Programming.

Tour of the Montessori Academy and Question/Answer Time: 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM

Registration is limited. Register EARLY.
DEADLINE: March 29, 2020
COST: $60.00 (Includes continental breakfast and lunch)

*Please note there are absolutely NO REFUNDS*

2020 Exploring Montessori Brochure (pdf) or register online below

Registration Closed!

This event is being held at:

Maple Tree Montessori Academy
2944 South Old US 23
Brighton, Michigan 48114