Grade two
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Teaching
as a Lively Art
Marjorie
Spock, Anthroposophic Press, Hudson, NY, 1985.
ccording
to the Waldorf plan, the teacher progresses with the pupils from first
to second grade; in fact, s/he continues with them through all eight years
of their elementary schooling, wherever possible. The class teacher, who
can look back on all the pupils’ previous learning experiences and
build step-by-step on that foundation, can endow his or her teaching with
real unity. And primary children, who are very sensitive to readjustments
and changes, are given the security of knowing one personality and method
intimately and thoroughly.
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English now becomes a special subject assigned its share of main lesson periods. Based again on spoken languages, fables satisfy the children’s deep interest in the animal kingdom, while legends offer lofty striving and highlight the noblest human qualities. These fables and legends are now the focus of writing material. The children learn cursive writing by joining up the printed letters of last year. Grammar is introduced with liveliness and humor by acting out stories in which the children can experience the contrast between doing words, naming words and describing words.
In arithmetic, the children carry out more complicated operations with the four processes. Imaginative stories still form the basis of these problems. Through rhythmic counting accompanied by accented clapping and movement of the whole body, they learn to count by twos, threes, fours and fives and can begin learning the multiplication tables.
Nature study continues in connection with poetry, legends and imaginative descriptions of natural processes.
Painting and modeling are drawn into constant service in the main lessons. Knitting and purling are mastered. Projects always observe an important principle: handwork should be useful and functional, as well as beautiful.
German and Spanish, singing and flute lessons continue to be taught as in the first grade, with eurythmy leading the children into a more conscious forming of vowels and consonants.
Physical education and games, as well as international folkdancing, begin in Grade Two and continue through all the grades.
K • grade 1 • grade 2 • grade 3 • grade 4 • grade 5 • grade 6 • grade 7 • grade 8 • high school