The main focus of this class will be to learn how to play the pentatonic Choroi flute and to understand the “Mood of the 5th” which R. Steiner recommended as a teaching tool for children from birth to nine years old. The students will also be introduced to the pentatonic Lyre and learn how to write simple pentatonic songs.
Woodworking
Woodworking class offers students an opportunity to sculpt concave and convex forms and experience seeing and feeling true tangible beauty as a result of their hard work and commitment. Using hand tools like the rasp and gouge, students create functional, beautiful objects, including spoons and bowls.
Introduction to Color through watercolors painting
The soul element of the world expresses itself in the essence of color. Personal observation and painting exercises provide experiences to enliven, develop and characterize the “movement of soul” awakened by colors. Through the flowing, transparent medium of wet-on-wet watercolor painting, the nature of colors will be explored. Study of the luster and image nature of color as well as combinations begin to reveal the dynamic theory of color developed by Rudolf Steiner.
Spacial Dynamics
Basic movement principles such as they relate to Steiner’s view of human development will be practiced. Posture, classroom management, movement observation and spatial configuration are elements to be explored in active participation.
Introduction to Knitting
Skills such as knitting and natural dyeing give an introduction to textiles in a hands-on way. Discussions cover development of the will, enhancing physical and mental dexterity and an understanding of how and why these skills are practiced in Waldorf schools.
Drawing from the Four Kingdoms of Nature
Specific drawing techniques, and work on chalkboards, develop a sense of form and movement for the prospective Waldorf teacher. This seemingly simple drawing practice establishes a deep feeling for order and harmony that balances an actively moving energy.
FDS - Fundamental Conceptual Courses
Twelve Senses
Human beings are sense-beings who relate to the outer world through their sense-organism. This course seeks to explore the circle of sensory experience in its 12-fold nature, as described by Steiner. Through studying A. Soesman's book, "Our Twelve Senses", we will discover some of the mysteries of human development based on Steiner's research and contribution to spiritual psychology.
Theosophy
An Introduction to the Supersensible Knowledge of the World and the Destination of Man, Rudolf Steiner gives a precise introduction to many of the fundamental concepts that underlie his life work, Anthroposophy. Following upon a comprehensive description of the human being composed of body, soul, and spirit, Steiner develops the idea of destiny and reincarnation, reveals different ways in which human existence unfolds after life on earth, and concludes with a succinct description of the path of knowledge by which each one of us can develop for ourselves the capacities required to experience the phenomena that he describes.
Myth and Storytelling
The art of storytelling stands at the foundation of all Waldorf teaching. Through story students develop imagination, capacity and skills for learning. A Waldorf teacher leads students to a world of rich inner pictures where the archetypes of truth, beauty and goodness are met. In this course we will learn and practice the art of storytelling. We will also explore the relationship between the evolution of consciousness and the story curriculum. We will take a look at the deeper meaning behind the fairy tales and will move through the archetypal stories that shape the curriculum of a Waldorf school.
Biography and Parsifal
This compelling book shows us how Parsifal, as the archetypal hero, undertakes the challenges of initiation. He suffers through and learns from his ordeals and failures, as we all must. Initiation is an ongoing life process beginning at adolescence and re-emerging at significant turning points. This leads to greater human consciousness and transformation of the self, if we are willing to take the risks it calls for. Course work will include instructor and student presentation, creative writing and illustration.
Knowledge of Higher Worlds
In this course we will examine the path developed by Rudolf Steiner in his book How to Know Higher Worlds. In this work Steiner gives exercises and meditation techniques that are designed to deepen, strengthen and ultimately open the human soul to an objective reality beyond the physical senses. Throughout the book Steiner emphasizes how the development of inner integrity, sound judgment, and a discerning intellect are essential for reliable knowledge at this level of experience.
The Changing Image of the Child
A thorough understanding of the child is fundamental to education. We will consider - in the light of spiritual science - the circumstances under which the true understanding of human nature had been lost to the Western world; and examine the images of the child that Western man has created since. We will also look at some of the tragic effects/implications that this loss has had on education.
Philosophy of Freedom/Intuitive thinking as a Spiritual Path
This foundational text establishes the epistemological basis for all of Steiner's subsequent work. Steiner develops a basis on which to transcend the limits to knowledge asserted for modern consciousness by Kant. In his Philosophy of Freedom, he develops a view of intuitive thinking and its far-reaching consequences from a phenomenological standpoint, that is, from the standpoint of what can be experienced first-hand.
Foundation Year Observation
Foundation year students are required to complete 8 hours of classroom observation
FOUNDATION STUDIES
