Upper Elementary Guide

Regular, On-going Tasks Daily Pre-class

• Consult with co-teachers and assistants.
• Outline projected routine of day and special activities.
• Select a point on which to concentrate observation.
• Convey information concerning the special needs of some children; propose possible strategies to support positive behavior and minimize negative.
• Identify a given group of children who might be shown certain materials (or steps), if they ask for help or seem to need a new stimulus
• Receive and welcome children.

• Observe group's overall feeling – the tone of the day.
• Assist children who need individual help to choose work.
• Protect working children from interference (including adult).
• Be prepared to make at least one small group presentation involving new material or a progressive step.
• Give individual lessons.
• Withdraw at regular intervals to observe.
• Uphold and reinforce positive behavior by modeling adult behavior and drawing attention to ground rules at a "neutral" time.
• Remain in contact with the whole group and sense changing mood or activity symptoms.
• Unobtrusively monitor the work of the individual child.
• Be on the lookout for opportunities for oral games.
• Record important points briefly – expand later.
• Treat children according to individual needs.
• Keep an eye on group activities to maximize healthy socialization, fostering of community and healthy recreation.
• Calmly prepare for transition activities.
• Incorporate dismissal routine as one of the day’s crucial activities.

• Make minor material repairs.
• Refresh environment.
• Complete daily notes.
• Think about individual children and group interaction.
• If necessary, program and assemble a new exercise for the next day.
• Confer with co-directress.
• Compare observations.
• Discuss relevant points in Montessori theory.
• Demonstrate a learning material.
• Exchange ideas or alternate ways to cope with a given child (not just problems).
• Review successful group activities and invent new ones.
• Review and practice with materials especially those soon to be presented.
• New oral language games.
• Points of interest.
• Enlarge repertoire of sensorial and practical life.
• Replace articles for mystery bags and object boxes.
• Review transgressions of ground rules by adults and children and try to analyze possible causes; attempt to find counter strategies.

• Double-check all learning materials.
• Remove all items in need of repair, replacement, or cleaning.
• Rotate books.
• Note needed janitor services.
• Restructure classroom routines as needed.
• Place orders or go shopping (with approval).
• Visit resource centers (libraries, special exhibits).
• Plan how to use volunteers or special resource people for next week.
• Update personal albums or notes.
• As needed, update long-range class and children’s records.
• As needed, organize special projects, read professional journals.
• Confer with Administrator/Headmistress as requested.

• Prepare notes for conferences and hold conferences.
• Prepare evaluations.
• Attend staff meetings and parent meetings.
• Prepare for Open Houses, observations and special events.
• Other duties as requested

• Supervise major clean up.
• Take inventory.
• Develop programs and special holiday events.
• Organize and orientation program for children entering.
• Attend seminars.

• Bend
• Squat
• Stand
• Sit on the floor
• Walk
• Push/pull
• Carry/lift up to 50lbs
• Walk up to one mile comfortably and independently