I have just looked into Waldorf schools recently after having discovered it a few years ago. I went to the library and borrowed all the books they had on that particular subject, and as I read through the first book, I realized that our lifestyle parallels the way things are taught in those schools. Waldorf is a growing private school, spreading internationally. These schools are a little pricey, but you can qualify for up to 50% off and the education is very unique.
Waldorf is all about nurturing children throughout the grades toward their ultimate freedom as they go off into the world, which is the theme of 12th grade (Freedom). They are constantly doing hands-on activities with beeswax sculpting and art and wood-working and gardening and..... Well it varies from grade to grade precisely what they are ready for at that point in their physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental development. They do a lot of work with literature, hands-on math and science, music, handi-work, and of course different art forms. In Kindergarten, children are focused on color and imitation drawing, and by the upper grades, children have extremely excellent art skills to be used in all subjects. Instead of labeling a handout, they draw everything and design the format. What a better way to retain the form of something in chemisty or physics or ancient history, than to actually create the scene or object in great detail from within you own mind in accordance to what you have learned.
Children learn knitting (stimulates intellectual development), constantly working with others, Spanish and German, drama (used as a tool for learning, literacy (not just basic reading), eurythmy (expressive dance - both curative/therapuetic and artistic), humanism... the list goes on.
Kindergarteners start their days off with creative free play, which simulates the world around him/her. Putting toys away helps children care for their environment and everything/one it it. Every day songs are sung, including nature selections, which help children build a natural relationship with nature. Students learn to paint and bake, crayon pictures of rainbows, and model with brightly colored beeswax. Essentially, the young child imitates everything in his environment including his/her teacher. Their toys, their books, the color of the room and clothing, the type of food, the speech they hear, the songs they sing - these are all critical to a love of learning and an appretiation for art and beauty. Beyond that, children develop a feeling of love and warmth with their peers and their teacher in their home-like classroom. They form a home away from home, a sort of a second family. They will all be together, teacher included, through eighth grade. So much more is taught as the grades progress, but it is just too much to get into each individual grade.
By eighth grade, children have a well-rounded view of human life and the universe as a whole. Elementary school gives children an understanding of humanity and the world they live in, engaging their hearts and wills, as well as their minds. Eighth grade brings this all to a new peak. History is intensly studied from the industrial revolution to the present, focusing on outstanding people as Lincoln, Jefferson, Edison in American history and great figures like Ghandi, Albert Schweizer, MLK and others from the 20th century. Geography and geology are heavily tied in to curriculum, as well. Physics lessons are tied into those historical and geographical surveys. Also, thermodynamics, acoustics, mechanics, climate, electricity, magnetism, hydraulics, aerodynamics, and meteorology and ecology are included, too. Chemistry is also touched on. Organic chemistry and the identifying of fats, sugars, proteins, and starches are both included. Mathematics works with the importance of practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Human physiology is closely looked at, between the muscular system, skeletal system, and the senses. Literature focuses on human freedom in short essays, letters and shakespearean drama. Foreign language continues and music takes up Elizabethan music, American music, and symphonic form. Eurythmy compliments other studies through exploration of poems of contrasting moods. Painting is now concerned with highlights and shadows. Machine sewing, darning, artistic hand-sewing, soapstone carving, and carpentry of big projects are all inlcuded in the eighth year.
Twelfth grade studies the following in English: Literature, such as Russian lit, Emerson, Goethe's Faust, contemporary novels, and a review of English skills, word usage, vocabulary, creative writing, independent literature, honors program. The continue the sudy of German and Spanish. Mathematics encompasses trigonometry, analytical geometry, business math, and advanced math topics. Science studies chemistry and physics (optics, color theory and quantam physics), computer science, biology (zoology, evolution). US History covers the development of 19th and 20th century economic theory from the rise of mercantilism til now. World history dives into architecture, modern art, Third World nations, and symptomotology. Music entails performing choir, instruments, performing orchestra, honors program. Arts/crafts include bookbinding, clay, drama, wood working, eurythmy, painting independent study, textiles, honors program, stone carving, graphics, drafting, and architectural drawing. Physical education and computer education are also an important aspect of twelfth grade.
This curriculum was drawn from Waldorf Education: A Family Guide. There are so many interesting aspects of each and every grade, I am so excited to start taking my child there. We are remotely debating the possibility of sending our 5th grader, in hopes this will do him and his behavior some good. Nurturing and a sense of warmth, as well as a highly stimulating environment is what he needs. But we are definitely wanting to send our preschooler when he starts in Kindergarten and 12 month old and perhaps our last addition to the family.....well, that is a little far out to be planning.
Waldorf is all about nurturing children throughout the grades toward their ultimate freedom as they go off into the world, which is the theme of 12th grade (Freedom). They are constantly doing hands-on activities with beeswax sculpting and art and wood-working and gardening and..... Well it varies from grade to grade precisely what they are ready for at that point in their physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental development. They do a lot of work with literature, hands-on math and science, music, handi-work, and of course different art forms. In Kindergarten, children are focused on color and imitation drawing, and by the upper grades, children have extremely excellent art skills to be used in all subjects. Instead of labeling a handout, they draw everything and design the format. What a better way to retain the form of something in chemisty or physics or ancient history, than to actually create the scene or object in great detail from within you own mind in accordance to what you have learned.
Children learn knitting (stimulates intellectual development), constantly working with others, Spanish and German, drama (used as a tool for learning, literacy (not just basic reading), eurythmy (expressive dance - both curative/therapuetic and artistic), humanism... the list goes on.
Kindergarteners start their days off with creative free play, which simulates the world around him/her. Putting toys away helps children care for their environment and everything/one it it. Every day songs are sung, including nature selections, which help children build a natural relationship with nature. Students learn to paint and bake, crayon pictures of rainbows, and model with brightly colored beeswax. Essentially, the young child imitates everything in his environment including his/her teacher. Their toys, their books, the color of the room and clothing, the type of food, the speech they hear, the songs they sing - these are all critical to a love of learning and an appretiation for art and beauty. Beyond that, children develop a feeling of love and warmth with their peers and their teacher in their home-like classroom. They form a home away from home, a sort of a second family. They will all be together, teacher included, through eighth grade. So much more is taught as the grades progress, but it is just too much to get into each individual grade.
By eighth grade, children have a well-rounded view of human life and the universe as a whole. Elementary school gives children an understanding of humanity and the world they live in, engaging their hearts and wills, as well as their minds. Eighth grade brings this all to a new peak. History is intensly studied from the industrial revolution to the present, focusing on outstanding people as Lincoln, Jefferson, Edison in American history and great figures like Ghandi, Albert Schweizer, MLK and others from the 20th century. Geography and geology are heavily tied in to curriculum, as well. Physics lessons are tied into those historical and geographical surveys. Also, thermodynamics, acoustics, mechanics, climate, electricity, magnetism, hydraulics, aerodynamics, and meteorology and ecology are included, too. Chemistry is also touched on. Organic chemistry and the identifying of fats, sugars, proteins, and starches are both included. Mathematics works with the importance of practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Human physiology is closely looked at, between the muscular system, skeletal system, and the senses. Literature focuses on human freedom in short essays, letters and shakespearean drama. Foreign language continues and music takes up Elizabethan music, American music, and symphonic form. Eurythmy compliments other studies through exploration of poems of contrasting moods. Painting is now concerned with highlights and shadows. Machine sewing, darning, artistic hand-sewing, soapstone carving, and carpentry of big projects are all inlcuded in the eighth year.
Twelfth grade studies the following in English: Literature, such as Russian lit, Emerson, Goethe's Faust, contemporary novels, and a review of English skills, word usage, vocabulary, creative writing, independent literature, honors program. The continue the sudy of German and Spanish. Mathematics encompasses trigonometry, analytical geometry, business math, and advanced math topics. Science studies chemistry and physics (optics, color theory and quantam physics), computer science, biology (zoology, evolution). US History covers the development of 19th and 20th century economic theory from the rise of mercantilism til now. World history dives into architecture, modern art, Third World nations, and symptomotology. Music entails performing choir, instruments, performing orchestra, honors program. Arts/crafts include bookbinding, clay, drama, wood working, eurythmy, painting independent study, textiles, honors program, stone carving, graphics, drafting, and architectural drawing. Physical education and computer education are also an important aspect of twelfth grade.
This curriculum was drawn from Waldorf Education: A Family Guide. There are so many interesting aspects of each and every grade, I am so excited to start taking my child there. We are remotely debating the possibility of sending our 5th grader, in hopes this will do him and his behavior some good. Nurturing and a sense of warmth, as well as a highly stimulating environment is what he needs. But we are definitely wanting to send our preschooler when he starts in Kindergarten and 12 month old and perhaps our last addition to the family.....well, that is a little far out to be planning.
Great entry. It has surprised me that on this coast, there are lots of magnet schools and specialized schools where you go there and are basically trained in a field. I like it and at the same time, I like the regular ol' public high schools.
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