Maria Montessori described the educational needs of the elementary child aged 6 to 12 as: the acquisition of culture, the exploration of morality and the development of organized social activity (Montessori, 1948, p. 4). The child of this age is further described as having a “hungry intelligence” eager to explore the vast areas of knowledge (Montessori, 1948, p. 4). The learning environment and the adults within it must maintain a vast store of background information from which these intellectually hungry children can explore. Through the exploration of this well-prepared environment, the child begins to recognize the interdependence of all things: the stars, the earth, the stones, life of all kinds form a whole in relation to each other, and this relationship is so close that we cannot understand a whole. stone without some understanding of the great sun! No matter what we touch, an atom or a cell, we cannot explain it without knowing the vast universe. (Montessori, 1948, p.6) It is this idea that all things in our universe are connected and dependent on one another that forms the basis of cosmic education. Cosmic education in the classroom. Academic areas in an elementary Montessori environment, although physically well defined, are taught in an integrated manner. Let's first start with an overview of a concept, then delve deeper into the concept through the details that connect the domains. For example, history and geography are taught as part of a single curriculum because they provide the student with a unified awareness of how their world came to be and their place in it. It begins with the big lesson stories describing the formation of: the universe, our solar system and Earth. middle of paper......geography as taught in this type of environment fits into the Montessori idea of ​​cosmic education if one takes the time to interweave all the connections possible for students. . This will allow them to see the purpose and order of the world around them. They will learn the important interdependent connections that all things share to exist and survive. Hopefully, they will come to feel true love and respect for the world around them. Ultimately, our goal is to guide children in their progression toward reaching their full potential as human beings. Finding their place in the world and accomplishing their “cosmic task” of protecting and serving the world on which they depend for their own existence. Only then can they become good managers of their environment and fulfill their true vocation there...