Montessori Research & Development (MRD) develops, produces, and sells Montessori curriculum materials.
Developed in 1980 and refined ever since, as new research emerges.
Dr. Pamela Rigg (then Pamela Lanaro) founded MRD in 1980 in response to an identified need for existing Montessori elementary materials to be updated and reflective of current research in the sciences.
We continue to uphold that aim by committing ourselves to continual review and revision of our manuals and materials as new scientific information emerges. This means keeping abreast of the big and obvious “rulings” (like whether Pluto is a planet), as well as to the nuanced and unresolved debates in the scientific community (like whether eukaryote “tails” should be called flagella or undulipodia).
Research is a Key
Rooted in Research
Every decision, from phonogram structure to science content, is backed by evidence.
Grown with the Community
We build what teachers and children actually need.
Always up to Date
We revise materials as new research emerges.
Research shapes our non-scientific materials just as much.
Before introducing our Green Series in 2008, for instance, we evaluated every possible way to structure the phonograms — because getting that organizing structure right is central to how we develop everything we make.
MRD continues to grow alongside the Montessori community, creating materials that answer the real needs of teachers and children.
Our Team
Meet the researchers, developers, and creators of our materials and manuals.
Dr. Pamela Zell Rigg
Linda Aaquist
Judy Bauerlein
Dr. Virginia Fleege
Virginia Varga, Ph.D.
Learning Through Three-Part Cards
Three-Part Card Rationale
Montessori Three-Part Cards are materials children manipulate to internalize information. The Early Childhood set has three parts — a picture with word label, the picture alone, and the word label alone — and the child simply matches picture to picture, word to word. The Elementary set adds a description or definition to the picture and label.
The Challenge
Matching isn’t the goal — it’s the starting point. The real aim is for the child to handle the information often enough, and in enough ways, to master it. That’s why the cards work as games: children ask each other for cards to complete a set, or play them face down, memory-style. The point isn’t recalling positions — it’s keeping interest alive so the information gets revisited again and again.
Built in color, cut to size, and made to last
When we saw that teachers needed classroom-ready materials, MRD introduced the first elementary cardstock materials — and three-part cards, booklets, and wall charts have been our signature ever since. Everything is printed in full color and cut to size.
The details are deliberate. All materials are laminated front and back and hold up to years of classroom handling, and we offer material containers for tidy shelf display.
Everything except Word Study is printed on 100 lb cover stock with 3 mil lamination; Word Study, made for lighter use, is printed on 20 lb paper with 1.5 mil lamination.
Our Teacher Manuals
Working With MRD
Everything you need, however you teach.
Manuals, Now Online
Every MRD teacher manual is available digitally – instant access, nothing to ship, ready whenever you are.
Request New Materials
We develop new materials and manuals based on what the Montessori community needs. We welcome your requests.
Starting a Training Program?
Whether you’re launching a teacher training program or reassessing your current manual options, we’re here to help.