12/12

http://vimeo.com/1535001

Dear Friends,

I have attached a link to a short video that attempts to show what a Steiner or Waldorf School is.  Some of the speakers and teachers were people that I worked with in my training in the UK.  I especially liked to see another "Roman Road" project.  It is interesting to hear a foreign perspective on these international schools.  At Olympia, we are gearing up for our own Curriculum Fair that will include a panel of Alumni and Waldorf graduates.  This is a very important opportunity for parents to come and get a first hand experience of our pedagogy, the thinking behind the approach and to hear from graduates who can give you a feeling for what students can gain from this education.  Check the bulletin for more information and mark Saturday the fifth of February, 10am on your calendars.  This will be an exciting event to take part in!   

In seventh grade, we are developing our sense of speech and writing.  As part of this study, we have been experiencing the difference between the statement, question, exclamation, and command.  While observing and writing to a plant each day, the students have been exercising their writing voices.  A bit of quiet observation in the natural setting can be very inspiring as a writer.  Some students have asked their plants if they are afraid of the storm.  Some pondered where the plant has come from and where it is going in the future.  All of this work in observation and thought have lent toward a strong foundational sense for speech.  A reflective mood and the power of words work together to allow the students to grow in confidence as writers. 

In addition to the creative approach to writing, we have also been looking at what an effective paragraph and essay structure can be.  The students have been revisiting their goals as they write letters to the parents in a well structured and thoughtful way.  The challenge for students at this age is to be able to stay with a thought for longer than a sentence or two.  The ability to open a topic, illustrate the theme in different ways and drive home the point, is an important skill that will help them in high school and beyond.   We are working on their ability to have the structural skill to express their wonderful ideas in a way that others can connect to or read with feeling and understanding.  "So, like, dude!" is an example of ways that some talk to their friends on the phone or on the playground.  We are striving for an elevated and respectful speech in school so that they can be heard and respected by a wide range of people. 

12/5

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank everyone who helped at the Enchanted Winter Fair; especially Jennifer Harner, Kim and John Gonczar.  All who I have spoken to about the event, agree: it was a great success.  I remember walking in the cool sunny weather, past the crackling campfire and the spry cookie elves, on the way to tell stories in the Kinderhaus.  There was warm encounters, beautiful music and a welcoming atmosphere.  These quiet moments of work and conversation seem to bring the feeling of community in a natural way.  I felt very happy to be connected to these people and this place. 

In seventh grade, we are rounding out our Geometry block.  The Geometry block included a test in which the students requested letter grades.  This brought a good opportunity to discuss what grades really reflect and what the positive/negative impact can be.  I reminded them that the subject material was still new and would be revisited.  I also mentioned that grades don't always show how much effort a student has put in and how much they have improved.   The beautiful projects that are on display in the Middle School Foyer show that they were able to focus and do something with the knowledge.  This ability is much more alive than simple facts and calculations.  The students also received a block report that should be signed and returned. 

From the objective nature of fractions and angles, we are entering the world of words and the English language.  We will develop our sense of style and poetry so that their writing can continue to grow.  We are relating different sentence types such as a statement, command, question and exclamation to the ancient understanding of the four elements.  We are also listening to poetry and learning about meter.  This time of writing will be a playful and reflective time to carry the Logos into this winter season.