Organizing Primary Montessori Presentations

Below is just one of many possible ways to organize the primary Montessori experiences (primary being ages 2.5-6 years of age, or the developmental equivalent). Eight intervals across the 3.5-4 years of Primary Montessori (a child could potentially be in primary from the age of 2.5 until almost 6.5).

Each individual child might be ahead/behind in particular areas (i.e. sensorial language skills) but these are roughly where the pieces fit.

NOTE the mentioning of the same heading in various areas - each of these items/experiences has many layers to it. Indeed most of what is below has many layers even within a particular interval.

As defined here, an interval is approximately a 6-month span of time when a child begins at 2 1/2 years of age. If/when a child starts later, then we begin with the first interval and proceed at the child's pace (which is what we do anyway - it just means that it might be faster; or it is ok if a child does take a full 6 months).

A child entering primary at age 5 or older? Check our other Montessori Nuggets for suggestions.

Would you like to download this Primary Montessori Basic Intervals file as a Word doc? Click here.
(edited 2/22/15 - updated the link)





Primary Montessori: Suggested Order of Presentations

Follow your child’s needs and interests. Within each level (interval) provided here, there are few pre-requisites; generally any pre-reqs refer to something in the previous interval. Refer to the album pages for details how to present as well as what to present or invite work on for each age. Older children entering Montessori will move more quickly through some areas. That is fine. Or slower. That is fine too. For a typically developing 2.5 year old just beginning, these levels approximate 6-month increments, with notes of what will take longer.

Anything noted as “Cont” means “Continue into the next interval or even beyond – continue as needed for that child.” With that said, almost everything can be continued for any duration or in extension work or interests – do not be limited by this scope and sequence, but freed to focus on developmentally appropriate activities for your child, providing you time to encourage interests and family experiences.

Recall too that the practical life presentations are not limited to what is listed here. Add practical life and art and outdoor activities as are appropriate to your children. The albums you follow will have additional suggestions as well as guidelines for appropriate additions.

NOTE that these presentations each contain a series of layers (extensions, games, exercises, follow-ups) that are designed to be given in a particular sequence, at particular readiness-ages – some earlier, some later. Please refer to your album pages for the specifics.




First Interval: Entrance into Primary Montessori

EPL: Control of Movement
Walking on the Line

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Orientation Game

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Naming Objects in the Environment

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Collecting Classified Objects

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Classified Cards
Continue until reading
Spoken: Language Development
Storytelling
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Reading and Books in the Library
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Poems
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Conversation
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Conversation
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Question Game
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Cultural Folders
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Extension: fictional story telling
Cont
EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Carry a Working Mat

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Place a Pitcher

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Carry a Tray

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Roll a Working Mat

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Put Down a Chair

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Sit On a Chair at a Table

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Fold Napkins

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Pour Grain

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Pour Water

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Fold a Dust-cloth to Put Away

EPL: Preliminary Exercises
How to Fold a Dust-cloth to Dust

EPL: Care of Self
Snap Frame

EPL: Care of Self
Hook and Eye Frame

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Dust a Table

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Use a Dustpan and Brush

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Sweep

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Wipe Up a Spill

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Dust Leaves

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Make Lemon Water

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Walk Around A Mat

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Introduce Yourself

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Apologize

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Observe

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Draw Attention

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Accept a Compliment

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
How to Blow Your Nose

EPL: Grace and Courtesy
Own Grace and Courtesy

Writing
Sound Games
Cont
Language Extension
How to Teach a Song
Cont




Second Interval
Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Practical Life Objects

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Parts of an Object

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Language of the Sensorial Materials
Cont
Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Three Period Lesson
Cont
Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Related Objects Game

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Description/Definition Game

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Stories – Biological Classifications

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Sorting Game – Biology Classifications

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Nomenclature Cards – Scientific

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Life Cycles

Spoken:Vocabulary Enrichment
Oral Language Games

Spoken: Language Development
Land and Water Form Folders
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Land and Water Form Outline Maps
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Biome Folders
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
Art Folders
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
How to Wash Hands

EPL: Care of Self
How to Polish Shoes

EPL: Care of Self
Button Frame

EPL: Care of Self
Buckle Frame

EPL: Care of Self
Zipper Frame

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Polish Glass

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Care for Plants

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Polish Wood

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Wash a Table

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Wash Cloths

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Iron

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Arrange Flowers

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Bake

EPL: Control of Movement
The Silence Activity
Cont
EPL: Visual Art
Rubbings (Exploration of Texture)

EPL: Visual Art
Cutting - Snipping

EPL: Visual Art
Cutting - Lines

EPL: Visual Art
Cutting and Gluing (Exploration of Space)

EPL: Visual Art
Painting (Exploration of Color)

EPL: Visual Art
Sculpting (Exploration of Form)

EPL: Visual Art
Beginning Sewing

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Cylinder Blocks

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Pink Tower

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Brown Stair

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Red Rods

Sensorial: Visual - Color
Color Tablets Box I

Sensorial: Visual - Color
Color Tablets Box II

Sensorial: Visual - Color
Color Tablets Box III

Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cabinet
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Binomial Cube

Sensorial: Tactile
Sensitizing Fingers

Sensorial: Tactile
Touch Boards

Sensorial: Tactile
Touch Tablets

Sensorial: Tactile
Blindfold

Sensorial: Tactile
Fabrics

Sensorial: Baric
Baric Tablets

Sensorial: Gustatory
Tasting Bottles

Sensorial: Auditory
Bells
Cont
Sensorial Aspects of the World
Sandpaper Globe

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Continents Globe

Sensorial Aspects of the World
World Puzzle Map

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Continent Puzzle Map

Sensorial Aspects of the World
United States Puzzle Map

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Land and Water Forms

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Oceans Globe
Cont
Sensorial Aspects of the World
Flags
Cont
Sensorial Aspects of the World
Climatic Zones
Cont
Writing
Sound Games
Cont
Writing
Sandpaper Letters

Writing
Sandpaper Phonograms

Writing
Metal Insets

Writing - Art of Handwriting
Book Making
Cont
Language Extension
Plant Study
Cont




Third Interval

Spoken: Language Development
Land and Water Form Outline Maps:
Cont
Spoken: Language Development
My State
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
Bow Frame
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
Lacing Frame – V Pattern
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
Lacing Frame – X Pattern
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
Lacing Frame – Linear Pattern
Cont
EPL: Care of Self
Safety Pin Frame
Cont
EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Polish Metal

EPL: Care of the Environment
How to Peel & Cut Fruits and Vegetables
Cont
EPL: Visual Art
Contour Drawing with Crayon (Exploration of Line)

EPL: Visual Art
Drawing with Colored Pencils

EPL: Visual Art
Sewing a Button

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Cylinder Blocks

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Pink Tower

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Brown Stair

Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Red Rods

Sensorial: Visual - Color
Color Tablets Box III

Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cabinet

Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cards
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Leaf Cabinet
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Trinomial Cube
Cont
Sensorial: Tactile
Touch Tablets

Sensorial: Tactile
Trinomial Cube

Sensorial: Tactile
Fabrics

Sensorial: Baric
Baric Tablets

Sensorial: Thermic
Thermic Bottles
Cont
Sensorial: Thermic
Thermic Tablets

Sensorial: Gustatory
Tasting Bottles

Sensorial: Olfactory
Smelling Bottles

Sensorial: Auditory
Sound Cylinders

Sensorial: Auditory
Bells

Sensorial: Stereognostic
Geometry Solids

Sensorial: Stereognostic
Stereognostic Bags
Cont
Sensorial: Stereognostic
Mystery Bag
Cont
Sensorial Aspects of the World
Continent Puzzle Map

Sensorial Aspects of the World
United States Puzzle Map

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Climatic Zones

Sensorial Aspects of the World
Climatic Zones

Writing
Sound Games

Writing
Sandpaper Letters

Writing
Sandpaper Phonograms

Writing
Small Metal Insets





Fourth Interval

Spoken: Language Development
Land and Water Form Outline Maps
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cabinet
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cabinet Cards
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Leaf Cabinet Cards
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Constructive Triangles
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Rectangular Box A
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Rectangular Box B
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Triangular Box
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Large Hexagonal Box
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Small Hexagonal Box
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
12 Blue Triangles
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Graded Geometric Figures

Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Decanomial Square

Sensorial: Thermic
Thermic Tablets

Sensorial: Auditory
Sound Cylinders

Sensorial: Auditory
Bells
Cont
Sensorial: Stereognostic
Geometry Solids
Cont
Writing
Movable Alphabet:

Writing
Map Making
Cont
Writing - Art of Handwriting
Sand Tray
Cont
Writing - Art of Handwriting
Chalkboards

Writing - Art of Handwriting
Paper Material

Writing - Art of Handwriting
Initial Strokes

Writing - Art of Handwriting
Green Boards (Initial strokes)

Writing - Art of Handwriting
Handwriting Charts – 5
Cont
Musical Expression
Notation with the Bells
Cont
Musical Expression
Note Names with the Bells
Cont
Musical Expression
Reading Music
Cont
Language Extension
Clapping – Rhythm
Cont
Language Extension
Plant Experiments
Cont
Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Number Rods

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Sandpaper Numerals (cyphers)

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Number Rods and Cards

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Spindle Boxes

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Zero Activity

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Cards and Counters

Mathematics: Numbers 1-10
Memory Game of Numbers (Chit Game)





Fifth Interval

EPL: Visual Art
Advanced Cutting

EPL: Visual Art
Advanced Sewing – Running Stitch

EPL: Visual Art
Sewing a Pillow (Student’s Own Presentation)

Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Decanomial Square
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Decanomial Square
Cont
Sensorial: Visual - Dimension
Knobless Cylinders

Sensorial: Auditory
Bells

Writing
Movable Alphabet

Reading: Phonetic Reading
Phonetic Object Box

Reading: Phonetic Reading
Phonetic Reading Cards

Reading: Phonetic Reading
Phonetic Reading Commands

Reading: Phonetic Reading
Phonetic Booklets

Reading: Phonetic Reading
Rhyming Words

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Object Box and Alphabet Boxes

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Shadow Box

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Booklets -

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Cards

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Alphabet Exploration

Reading: Phonograms
Phonogram Commands

Reading: Puzzle Words
Puzzle Words

Musical Expression
Staff, Ledger Lines, G-Clef

Musical Expression
Note Names on the Numbered Staff Board

Musical Expression
Note Names on the Unmarked Staff Board

Musical Expression
Unmarked Staff Boards – Parallel Exercise 1: Matching Cards with Bells

Musical Expression
Unmarked Staff Boards – Parallel Exercise 2: Nomenclature Cards

Musical Expression
Unmarked Staff Boards – Parallel Exercise 3: Grading

Musical Expression
Composing on the Bells

Mathematics: Decimal System
Introduction to the Bead Material

Mathematics: Decimal System
Introduction to the Card Material

Mathematics: Decimal System
Formation of Numbers

Mathematics: Decimal System
Change Game

Mathematics: Decimal System
Addition with the Golden Beads

Mathematics: Decimal System
Subtraction with the Golden Beads

Mathematics: Decimal System
Multiplication with the Golden Beads

Mathematics: Decimal System
Division with the Golden Beads

Mathematics: Decimal System
Stamp Game Addition
Cont
Mathematics: Decimal System
Stamp Game Subtraction
Cont
Mathematics: Decimal System
Stamp Game Multiplication
Cont
Mathematics: Decimal System
Stamp Game Division
Cont
Mathematics: Counting
Teens Stage I: Teen Boards 11-19

Mathematics: Counting
Teens Stage II: Teen Boards 11-19

Mathematics: Counting
Teens Stage III: Teen Beads and Boards 11-99

Mathematics: Counting
Tens Stage I: Tens Boards 10-90

Mathematics: Counting
Tens Stage II: Tens Beads and Boards 10-90

Mathematics: Counting
Tens Stage III: Tens Beads and Boards 11-99





Sixth Interval

Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Geometry Cabinet Cards

Sensorial: Visual - Shape
Leaf Cabinet Cards

Sensorial: Visual - Combined
Decanomial Square

Sensorial: Auditory
Bells

Reading: Phonograms
Research
Cont
Reading: Phonograms
Spelling
Cont
Reading: Phonograms
Dictionary
Cont
Reading: Phonograms
Personal Dictionary
Cont
Reading: Puzzle Words
Puzzle Words
Cont
Reading Classification
Presentation I – Classifying the Environment
Cont
Reading Classification
Presentation II – Cards with Labels

Reading Classification
Presentation III

Reading: Function of Words
Article -

Reading: Function of Words
Adjective

Reading: Function of Words
Logical Adjective
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Detective Adjective
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Conjunction
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Preposition
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Verb
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Adverb
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Logical Adverb
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Continuation of Commands
Cont
Reading: Function of Words
Symbol and Phrase Game
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Compound Words
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Suffixes
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Prefixes
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Word Families
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Adjectives
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Singular and Plural
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Synonyms
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Antonyms
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Homophones
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Homographs
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Animal Collectives
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Animals and Their Young
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Animal Sounds
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Animal Homes
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Animal Families
Cont
Reading: Word Study
Contractions
Cont
Musical Expression
Unmarked Staff Boards – Parallel Exercise 4: Descriptions/Definitions

Language Extension
Who Am I?
Cont
Mathematics: Decimal System
Dot Game

Mathematics: Decimal System
Word Problems
cont
Mathematics: Counting
Linear Counting: Stage I – Hundred Chain

Mathematics: Counting
Linear Counting: Stage II – Thousand Chain

Mathematics: Counting
Skip Counting

Mathematics: Memorization
Addition Snake Game

Mathematics: Memorization
Addition Strip Board

Mathematics: Memorization
Addition Charts

Mathematics: Memorization
Subtraction Snake Game

Mathematics: Memorization
Subtraction Strip Board

Mathematics: Memorization
Subtraction Charts

Mathematics: Memorization
Multiplication with Bead Bars

Mathematics: Memorization
Multiplication Board

Mathematics: Memorization
Multiplication Charts





Seventh Interval

Reading Analysis
Simple Sentences Stage I
Reading Analysis
Simple Sentences Stage II
Reading Analysis
Simple Sentences Stage III
Mathematics: Decimal System
Long Division with Bows
Mathematics: Memorization
Unit Division Board
Mathematics: Memorization
Division Charts
Mathematics: Fractions
Introduction to Fractions
Mathematics: Fractions
Fraction: Operations




Eighth Interval

If primary children do not get to this work, they will have appropriate elementary versions presented. Some children will get to these presentations; some will not.
M: Passage to Abstraction
Small Bead Frame
M: Passage to Abstraction
Wooden Hierarchical Material
M: Passage to Abstraction
Large Bead Frame
M: Passage to Abstraction
Division with Racks and Tubes