6-12 Workshops & Events

6-12 WORKSHOPS

Workshops online unless noted

Supporting Teachers Supporting Children: Practical Tips for Managing the Montessori 6-12 Work | Ellen Lebitz | August 28, 2025
Creating Interest & Supporting Discovery in Geometry | Allan Nguyen | September 24, 2025
Human Timelines & the Family Tree of Hominins Chart | Ellen Lebitz | October 18, 2025
AMI 6-12 Orientation Course | Allan Nguyen | starts November 11, 2025
6-12 Zoom In…Series | Ellen Lebitz | starts December 9, 2025
AMI 6-12 Orientation Course | Ellen Lebitz | starts January 15, 2026
Roots and Shoots: Botany Foundations for Self-Exploration in Nature | Allan Nguyen | January 31, 2026
AMI 6-12 Refresher Course: Centering Self-Construction & Cosmic Education in Math (Portland, OR) | Ellen Lebitz | January 17-18, 2026
Bringing Music into Cosmic Education with Stories | Allan Nguyen | February 21, 2026

SUPPORTING TEACHERS SUPPORTING CHILDREN: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MANAGING MONTESSORI 6-12 WORK

Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 1:00-4:30 pm PT / 4:00-7:30 pm ET | Ellen Lebitz | $130

Unfolding Cosmic Education and supporting all of the second-plane children in your environment can seem a daunting task. Our work requires us to observe each child to discern their needs and strengths and offer them the support they need on their self-construction journey.

Success in our work requires planning, record-keeping, and a lot of flexibility. This three-hour workshop will offer some practical tips towards managing our work while cultivating a joyful and collaborative relationship with the children and a vibrant prepared environment. Topics we will touch on and provide tools for include: Tools and supports for observation of each child, Planning, and Tips for successful child-adult meetings

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2542

CREATING INTEREST & SUPPORTING DISCOVERY IN GEOMETRY

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 4:00-6:00 pm PT / 7:00-9:00 pm ET | Allan Nguyen | $85

How can we present geometry in a way that sparks curiosity and invites independent discovery? In this dynamic two-hour session, Montessori elementary guides will explore how to foster meaningful engagement in geometry through purposeful materials, storytelling, and student-led exploration.

Participants will:

  • Explore Montessori’s Three Historical Frameworks: Gain insight into how scientific pedagogy, psychodisciplines, and cosmic education each inform and support children’s engagement with geometry.

  • Foster Genuine Interest and Sustained Engagement: Learn how choice, agency, and well-crafted activities transform curiosity into deep, sustained learning.

  • Examine a Case Study: Discovery vs. Teaching: Take a closer look at the process of discovering area formulas and why this approach aligns with Montessori’s vision of the child as a self-motivated learner.

  • Use Storytelling to Spark Wonder: Experience how storytelling can connect geometric concepts with moral and cosmic themes, using an original cosmic story as a model.

  • Leave with Practical Tools for Your Classroom: Walk away with strategies, resources, and activity ideas you can apply right away to inspire joyful, independent exploration of geometry.

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2543

HUMAN TIMELINES & THE FAMILY TREE OF HOMINIMS CHART

Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm PT / 12:00-3:00 pm ET | Ellen Lebitz | $85

The Montessori approach to history is not based on memorization of long lists of kings and queens, presidents, or dates of conquests and treaties, but in the context of Cosmic Education. History is a fascinating, interrelated study of how human beings have developed and met their needs. This workshop will present the new human history timelines and introduce the new Family Tree of Hominins chart.

Participants will receive practical advice regarding how the work unfolds for the children, for inspiring follow up work, and incorporating Going Out. We will see how the characteristics of children in the second plane of development guide our approach to history and explore its scope and its role in Cosmic Education.

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2544

AMI 6-12 ORIENTATION COURSES

Multiple Course Options | $950

This AMI Orientation Course is designed to support adults by providing an orientation to the Montessori approach for 6-12 year olds. This course is ideal for 6-12 Montessori classroom assistants, or any other adult who is interested in gaining more knowledge about Montessori. The course will cover an introduction to the theoretical foundations of Montessori education and practical tips to bring the theory into practice.

This 60-hour course consists of a combination of online instructor-led sessions and independent student learning, as well as 9 hours of observation. This course offers an overview of Montessori developmental theory. Topics specific to the 6-12 course include details of the characteristics of elementary-aged children, collaborating with the children in their work, how to observe and how to use observation to support children, freedom, and responsibility, and supporting independence. The weekly independent work will consist of hands-on independent activities, guided observation of children, readings, listening to assigned audio files and podcasts, small group discussions with members of the cohort, and watching assigned videos.

COURSE OPTION #1
November 7 - December 12, 2025
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
4:00-6:30pm PT / 7:00-9:30 pm ET
Allan Nguyen

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2545

COURSE OPTION #2
January 15 - February 19, 2026
Tuesdays & Thursdays
4:00-7:00 pm PT / 7:00-10:00 pm ET
Ellen Lebitz

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2552

Participants completing all required aspects of the course can earn the AMI 6-12 Orientation Course Certificate. Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

Multiple Workshop Dates | Ellen Lebitz | $250 for Series / $65 per workshop

6-12 ZOOM IN…SERIES

Are you looking for a little inspiration? This series of “micro-refreshers” for 6-12 Montessori teachers will focus on one key activity each session.

Entire Series

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2546

Mathematics: Signed Numbers
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET

The early work with positive and negative numbers can start in the 6-9 classroom. This Zoom-In will focus on the preparations for and early experiences with positive and negative numbers, as well as supporting children as they come to abstraction with these concepts. Join us for an engaging exploration with the idea of signed numbers! For those attending the synchronous section, access to the presentation power point and videos of the presentations are included (for two weeks after the presentation).

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2547

History: Handwork as History
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET

Join us to explore historical handwork! During this Zoom-In, we will be demonstrating and discussing handwork related to images on the new first and second human timelines as well as other historical handwork. With Cosmic Education, handwork can be placed in historical perspective and utilized as the "hook" to enthuse and excite the children. For those attending the syncronous section, acess to the presentation power point and videos of some of the handwork presentations are included (for two weeks after the presentation).

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2548

Geography: Sun & Earth
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET

Let's go on a journey together around the sun and earth! Revisit this chapter of your geography album with us! This Zoom-In will be an overview of all of the work, breaking it down into its various concepts and then bringing it all together to see the full narrative story of the sun and earth. For those attending the syncronous section, acess to the presentation power point and videos of the presentations are included (for two weeks after the presentation).

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2549

Language: Parts of Speech: Beyond the Grammar Boxes
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET

We will be exploring the depths of our parts of speech work, discussing the role of this work within Cosmic Education. Come prepared to dust off some of the less-presented work in our albums and be inspired by Montessori's thoughts about our grammar work: “Researching into language--its beautiful expressions, its logical order--this is so much more meaningful than a mere memorising of the definitions of the different parts of speech. Thus, gradually the child becomes subconsciously conscious of the whole of grammar, beautifully and clearly” (Creative Development in the Child, volume 2).

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2550

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

CENTERING SELF-CONSTRUCTION & COSMIC EDUCATION IN MATH - AMI 6-12 REFRESHER COURSE

Saturday, January 17 & Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 9:00 am-5:00 pm PT (both days) | Ellen Lebitz | Montessori Northwest, Portland, OR | $400

The Montessori mathematics lectures we encounter in our training is the strong base from which our expertise grows. It is the beginning of our journey of consolidating the diversity of materials and presentations we’ve encountered and learning how to apply them in our everyday work with the children. Our work as Montessori adults is to inspire the children towards spontaneous activity and support their explorations.

This refresher course will have two main focuses:

  • Exploring the scope of our albums, including the hidden corners where seldom-used presentations are waiting for us.

  • Providing strategies for teachers in planning for and inspiring mathematics work for individual children as well as the class as a whole.

The Montessori mathematics work is systematic, orderly, and logical. It is also beautiful, inspired, and imaginative. Mathematics is not just a set of basic skills to be mastered but is a way of experiencing the world using numbers, pattern and shape. The work in mathematics is not simply to understand quantity and number but is an instrument of human development. A combination of lecture, activities, discussion, and Q and A sessions will provide participants with an engaging and enriching experience.

AMI Diploma Holders completing all required aspects of the course can earn the AMI Refresher Course Certificate. All other attendees will earn a Certificate of Attendance.
Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2553

ROOTS & SHOOTS: BOTANY FOUNDATIONS FOR SELF-EXPLORATION IN NATURE

Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 9:00-11:00 am PT / 12:00-2:00 pm ET | Allan Nguyen | $85

In this 2-hour workshop, participants will learn how to present botany in a way that connects classroom learning with real-world experiences, fostering both intellectual growth and a deeper connection to nature. Rooted in the principles of Cosmic Education, the workshop will highlight how botany informs children about the natural world and supports the child’s awareness of their role in the interdependent cosmos. It’s not just about the knowledge; it’s about skills and connection too.

Key takeaways include:

  • Practical strategies for presenting botany that inspire children to engage with nature, explore their surroundings, and take ownership of their learning.

  • Defining nature literacy and nature connectedness, and understanding their benefits as described in modern scientific research, including improved well-being and cognitive functions.

  • How to integrate nature-going outs into botany lessons, bringing children directly into contact with nature to deepen their understanding of the interconnectedness of life.

  • Approaches to encourage self-directed learning through observation, classification, and the exploration of plant life, all while reflecting the child’s cosmic task within the natural world.

  • By the end of the workshop, you’ll be equipped to create an environment where botany work is not just academic but a springboard for exploration, connection, and the nurturing of a child’s sense of responsibility within the greater ecosystem.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2551

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.

BRINGING MUSIC INTO COSMIC EDUCATION STORIES

Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 9:00-11:00 am PT / 12:00-2:00 pm ET | Allan Nguyen | $85

Let’s talk about the power of music as a transformative force in education in this 2-hour workshop specifically designed for Montessori 6-12 educators. Explore how music, far beyond being a mere subject, serves as a key to deepening the child’s connection with themselves, human civilization and nature.

In this workshop, we’ll explore:

  • The origins of music and how it has been intertwined with human life and expression for thousands of years.

  • How to connect music with the Great Stories, offering children a rich context to explore universal themes through sound and rhythm.

  • The importance of storytelling in music, and how to use stories as a gateway to introducing new musical ideas to children.

  • How movement and dance can be used as another language to tell stories and deepen children’s understanding of music.

  • How to use personal stories about your own emotional connections to music as a tool to connect deeply with students.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a wealth of ideas, stories, and practical tools to bring music into your Montessori 6-12 classroom, helping children connect emotionally with their learning while expanding their level of human consciousness.

BIPOC 10% Discount Code: BIPOC2554

Attendees from Oregon can earn hours for ORO(Set I). Attendees from Washington can earn STARS credit.