The Parent Community Council last gathered on Thursday, December 3. The evening began with sharing about our families and our children, strengthening connections across the grades and building community. Then, the talented and beloved Ms. Lesley Finlayson, 5th Grade Class Teacher took us on a voyage through the early years of form drawing for grades 1-3—the what, why, and how—and what a spectacular journey it was! We learned so many interesting things about this foundational part of Waldorf early education. For example, Ms. Finlayson explained that on the first day of first grade, Waldorf students will be shown and then asked to draw a straight (perpendicular) line and a curved line (think capital “C”). The purpose of this lesson, as Rudolph Steiner directed, was for the teacher to establish their authority; to show the students that the teacher would be naming things for them. She described the straight line as a ‘thinking activity’ and the curved line as an exercise of the Will force, going out, and then coming back again. We learned about crossing the mid-line/center-line of the body and how some form drawing exercises can be helpful to identify and support students who are most comfortable operating in one plane. The use of story in teaching form drawing can help to prepare students for writing letters, and drawing transitions can help a student cope with transitions happening in the world around them. It was a fascinating introduction to one of the many beautiful and deeply meaningful aspects of Waldorf Education.
Sorry you missed it? Join us for our next monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom, where we will spend another evening connecting with one another aspect or principle of Waldorf education.
Questions? Reach out to pcc@lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org.