Primary School: Class 1 to 7
Primary School children learn best through the authority of a person whom they know and trust. Ideally each Class Teacher stays with the class right through the Primary grades. The continuity of this important personal relationship provides a secure basis for the children to mature in later years, confident in their own independent judgement and action.
The Class Teacher is responsible for the Main Lesson period each day, with specialist teachers giving instruction in areas such as languages, crafts, music and eurythmy.
The Main Lesson is a thematic and integrated approach to a topic and stays with the same subject for a few weeks, allowing the children to explore issues in depth and from many different angles. The teacher works creatively, always seeking to find a fresh connection with his or her subject matter and to recognise readiness for learning.
The background to the lesson themes is drawn from the major epochs of history and, through the medium of stories, the children experience the development of mankind. The Primary School child lives and thinks in a world of pictures and all subjects are approached through the realm of art and imagination, in response to the child’s particular stage of development.
In Steiner schools, teachers are encouraged to take initiative and assume responsibility for their teaching. Knowledge of human temperament, personality formation, physiognomy and child psychology, based on soul/spiritual knowledge, help the teacher understand the most profound mystery of creation - the human being. Over the seven-year cycle, the teacher is able to artistically sequence the children's learning program and weave through it recognisable themes, images and stories.
To accompany a class through seven years of Primary School is a challenging, adventurous, sometimes daunting but always inspiring journey through the foundation years of education. At the end of seven years together, the Teacher and the Class truly experience a sense of completion and fulfillment.
The Class Teacher is responsible for the Main Lesson period each day, with specialist teachers giving instruction in areas such as languages, crafts, music and eurythmy.
The Main Lesson is a thematic and integrated approach to a topic and stays with the same subject for a few weeks, allowing the children to explore issues in depth and from many different angles. The teacher works creatively, always seeking to find a fresh connection with his or her subject matter and to recognise readiness for learning.
The background to the lesson themes is drawn from the major epochs of history and, through the medium of stories, the children experience the development of mankind. The Primary School child lives and thinks in a world of pictures and all subjects are approached through the realm of art and imagination, in response to the child’s particular stage of development.
In Steiner schools, teachers are encouraged to take initiative and assume responsibility for their teaching. Knowledge of human temperament, personality formation, physiognomy and child psychology, based on soul/spiritual knowledge, help the teacher understand the most profound mystery of creation - the human being. Over the seven-year cycle, the teacher is able to artistically sequence the children's learning program and weave through it recognisable themes, images and stories.
To accompany a class through seven years of Primary School is a challenging, adventurous, sometimes daunting but always inspiring journey through the foundation years of education. At the end of seven years together, the Teacher and the Class truly experience a sense of completion and fulfillment.