Waldorf classes for ages 6 – 12 at OUR Ecovillage
(1565 Baldy Mountain Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W2)
for home-schooled children (and others – all welcome!)
Taught by Joseph Graf, certified Waldorf teacher (see bio below*)
When: Oct-Nov and Feb-Mar, 2015-16
Preliminary schedule for
Waldorf home schooling support services:
Classes will run 1 1/3 hours each. Cost per class would be $6 -12 per child (sliding scale*), including materials.
Grades 1, 2 and 3 combined:
Monday 9 am – story/language/math
10:40 am – movement/agility/
(the above two classes will be “inter-woven”, according to needs of the children)
12:40 – 2 pm – continuing (flexible fill-in to complete what’s needed)
Tuesday 9 am – drawing/math (alternating)
10:40 am – painting
12:40 – 2 pm – drama/social studies (alternating)
Grades 4 and 5 combined:
Wed. 9 am – story/language/math
10:40 am – movement/agility/
(the above two classes will be “inter-woven”, according to needs of the children)
12:40 – 2 pm – continuing (flexible fill-in to complete what’s needed)
Thurs. 9 am – drawing/math (alternating)
10:40 am – painting
12:40 – 2 pm – drama/nature-science (alternating)
The above is a tentative scenario – subject material can be added or changed to suit what the community wants.
There would be 2 semesters, of 8 weeks each, starting in Oct and Feb. Class size will be limited to a maximum of 12 – 15 students.
The class content will inter-weave, and alternate, according to the needs of the children. E.g., morning classes will be a mix of outward activity and quiet desk work, to attain the “breathing” style that is more appropriate for children. Also, if the group seems in need of math skills, then math will supplant language or drawing, and vice versa.
This overall flexibility will ensure more well-rounded development. And limited class sizes will induce more individual attention.
Early grades will have a dominant-side enhancement aspect, to avert some potential learning challenges that can arise due to cross-dominance. (query for more details – or attend the parent nights to learn more about this and other elements of the Waldorf approach.)
The Waldorf method of developing a balance of thinking, feeling and willing will prevail in the program.
Parents who sign up can request a home visit, to further integrate the child’s world with the learning scenario.
Monthly parent information meetings will help orient parents more effectively to the program.
An apprentice, or two, may be taken on, perhaps from the parent body. Their child would partake for free, plus there could be a small payment for assisting in the classes. Any associates hired will be required to have some Waldorf background and/or understanding.
You can help enable this initiative to get underway, especially by passing this information on.
The regular fees for this service will be a sliding scale – $6 – $12 per class, per child. Those who pay less than $12 will be able to make up the difference in trade (organic food, nettles, firewood, compost, assistance with work projects, etc, whatever the Eco-village needs.)
To register your child in this program call or email Joseph through the contact below.
There is a registration fee of $100 (which will go toward the class fees, in October)
Biographical:
Joseph Graf,
Waldorf certified teacher, MSW, M. S. in Human Services,
and graduate of Lifespace Institute for humanistic counseling
250-709-8583
[email protected]
Joseph Graf completed full Waldorf Teacher training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre, in Toronto in 1992, and was recognized for his quality teaching at Sunrise Waldorf School from 1992-97 (grades 1 – 5). For the past 20 years, he continued a study in general Anthroposophy as well as deepening his understanding of Waldorf pedagogy.
Credentials also include a Master of Science in Human Services (clinical counselling), from Post University (Connecticut, U.S.)