Mandi Franz

The Montessori Spiral Curriculum:From Early Childhood to Adolescence    Primary/Early Childhood/Elementary/                                                                                                                    Secondary/Admin

The Montessori curriculum can be described as a spiral curriculum. The Montessori materials and lessons are designed to be repeated with more complexity and deeper abstraction as the child develops. From Early Childhood through Adolescence, lessons spiral from simple, very concrete studies to abstract, complex studies. In this workshop, we will gain an overview of the spiral curriculum and look at one example of the spiral. We will use interrelated sensorial and math materials - from the pink tower (Early Childhood), to cubing binomials (Elementary) and abstract proofs (Adolescence). Participants will leave with a better understanding of the genius of the Montessori materials, some reasons that scope and sequence are important, and a big dose of inspiration.  This workshop is appropriate for Montessori guides (Early Childhood to Adolescence) and Administrators who would like to explore the "big picture" of the Montessori curriculum.

Mandi Franz, M.Ed., has been involved in Montessori education her entire life - first as a child (ages 18 months through 12 years) in a Montessori school, and throughout her career. Mandi was a Lower Elementary guide in public and charter schools for 14 years, and is now Teaching Coach at Ross Montessori Charter School in Carbondale, CO. Mandi also works for Montessori Education Center of the Rockies as an Elementary and Administrator instructor. She holds a Masters in Montessori Leadership from Endicott College. (AMS: EI and Admin).