Past Courses
	The following workshops were offered at the Center for Montessori Advancement during the 2011-2012 school year.  Please check this website for updates on 2012-13 workshops.  For information on our summer workshops, visit www.wmsde.org/summerworkshops.

	Maria Montessori’s Life and Work with Paula Sharpe
	December 7, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
	Maria Montessori was a doctor, an educator, a peace activist, and most importantly  a creative innovator.  As a teacher, you might already know the story of her life, but what parts do you share with the children in your classroom?   Join Paula Sharpe, author of the book Maria Montessori and former Montessori teacher, in a discussion about Maria Montessori's most important lessons, and leave knowing how to present these important life lessons to your classroom.

	Two Workshops for Education Professionals
	Wednesday, January 11, 7-9 p.m.
	Supporting Writing in the Preschool Classroom Presented by Andrea Harding Join us for a discussion on the pre-emergent and emergent stages of writing in children ages 2-5. We will identify specific practices related to the "Emergent Writing" sub-domain of the Delaware Early Learning Foundations, and examine the criterion pertaining to early writing required for NAEYC accreditation. The emphasis will be on identifying activities already in use in your classroom that meet the criteria, as well as sharing additional developmentally appropriate practices.  Montessori Technology for All Ages              Preschool and up. Presented by Michael Johnson Technology is deeply embedded in the Montessori Method. This presentation will define technology, then describe why and how digital technology should be integrated into the Montessori classroom in terms of Culture, Language, Mathematics, Practical Life and Sensorial education. It will outline a curriculum that begins at the preschool level and describe its essential concepts and the concrete expression of them in terms of both shelf work and software. You will leave with creative, low-cost, practical and unobtrusive examples of how to integrate technology in your classroom at any age level.

	"Bringing Artists into the Preschool Classroom"
	Thursday, February 9, 7-9 p.m.
	Laurie Muhlbauer SOLD OUT! We all do arts and crafts in our rooms, but how do we introduce artists and art history into the classroom in a meaningful way?  The goal of this workshop is to provide you with the materials and ideas for introducing your students to artists such as Marc Chagall, Jackson Pollock, Piet Mondrian and others.  You will have the opportunity to try some of the projects yourself as well as receive information on other projects that you may take and try on your own.

	March Workshops - "Nature in the Classroom" and "A Beginner's Look at Executive Functioning"
	Wednesday, March 7, 7-9 p.m.
	Nature in the Classroom                     Cathy Simon-Cord and Elizabeth Varley Cost - $15 What could be more right than rebuilding the bridge to nature?  How do we actually model this connection to nature for our students?  Participants will see demonstrations of lessons for preschool students, get ideas to bring nature into their classrooms, and discuss books on promoting a lasting love of nature. A Beginner’s Look at Executive Functioning                         Liz Madden Cost - $15 Executive function is an umbrella term for the brain’s cognitive processes.  This workshop will give an overview of what executive functioning is, its different components, and what it looks like in the elementary classroom. By identifying these different processes, participants will gain a greater understanding of how to identify these skills in children’s learning and how to best support them.

	This April at CMA: "Birding for Preschoolers and Toddlers"
	Wednesday, April 25, 7-9 p.m.
	Presented by Lauren Harris Cost: $15 Learn how to incorporate feathered friends into your classroom curriculum.   Not only will you have the opportunity to see examples of many different activities, songs and materials, but you will discover how to instill a love and respect for nature into the hearts of even the smallest children.

	May Workshop: "Dramatic Play for Small Spaces and Small Budgets"
	Wednesday, May 9, 7-9 p.m.
	Sara Grant and Betsy Haas Cost - $15 Come discover how creating rich dramatic play areas in a toddler or preschool classroom can be easy and affordable. In this workshop you will learn the importance of play and all the benefits it has to offer. You will learn practical ways to build dramatic play area space with everyday objects you may already have in your environment.