Waldorf Teaching

How a Waldorf Teacher Teaches Compassion

Second grade teacher, Ieeda Rico, shared the story of Saint Francis in The Wolf of Gubbio with her students. The story is one of forgiveness and compassion for humans and animals alike.

After she shared this story, the class visited some local animals in need at the MSPCA. The children brought items to the animals that the shelter requested to provide them with the care they need. This act of selflessness and compassion towards the animals was a way for the students to relate what they learned about Saint Francis to their own experience. When children are given this opportunity, they are interested, alive, and what they learn becomes their own. Waldorf schools are designed to foster this kind of learning.

“The children were so excited to have an opportunity to bring their individual gifts to the shelter, and meet the animals and staff that would directly benefit from their thoughtfulness. What a great way to directly experience the story and lessons of true compassion and giving that we are taught by great individuals in history, like St. Francis.”
Ms. Rico, Second Grade Teach, WSCC

Why I Address My Fifth Graders as Students, Not Children

Fifth graders are in the middle of their 8 year elementary school journey.  They are not yet Middle School age and they have moved beyond most of the basic learning that they have mastered in their first four years of school. They are ready to become more independent and begin to take responsibility for their own learning. In deference to this change, I try to address them as ‘students’ not ‘children’.

They are ready to become more independent and begin to take responsibility for their own learning. In deference to this change, I try to address them as ‘students’ not ‘children’.
- Mark Schofield

This change is also reflected in the Waldorf Curriculum for grade five.  Last year we began to look at our school, our communities and our local areas Through our local history and geography blocks.  We explored our neighborhood and learned about the history and geography Cape Cod. At the end of the year we began to study Massachusetts and looked at the geography of New England.

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