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Adults everywhere are weary of the burden that Covid-19 has added to our already full lives, and the sense of constantly unfolding drama it causes. The children, however, remain both aware of everything going on around them and highly impressionable. How do we support healthy child development in age appropriate ways that assure an inclusive, joyful learning environment?
Rudolf Steiner used an archetypal picture of the developing human being to form the guiding principles of his pedagogical approach. These timeless principles provide a solid foundation for re-envisioning the content of our lessons. Our goal is to include more diverse representation in support of racial justice while enhancing the unique essence that makes Waldorf education so powerful.
Having navigated the nine-year change of third grade, but not yet entered puberty, fourth graders take steps to broaden their independence and deepen their understanding of the world around them. The child is now ready to explore the idea that the world can be a complicated place, with many gray areas. The Waldorf curriculum supports the child of this age with a study of Norse mythology and Native American legends. These rich stories speak of both creation and destruction, and bring characters that are nuanced, exhibiting both talents and flaws.
Kristina Boving became a class teacher at MWS in 2006 and led the MWS Class of 2014 from Grade One through Grade Eight. She then took the Class of 2019 from fourth grade through their graduation last summer before taking over as class teacher for the seventh grade class that will graduate from MWS in June of 2021. In this post, Kristina reflects on the ending to a very different Spring semester.
Early Childhood teacher, Su Rubinoff writes regularly to the parents in her class. With parents already challenged to provide their children with a sense of safety and stability due to the pandemic, Su wrote to offer support in addressing tensions arising from recent terrible events in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
The Meadowbrook journey is marked by many traditions and rites of passage. MWS students grow up watching the activities and accomplishments of the older students knowing that, one day, it will be their turn. In this very different school year, we are doing all we can to continue our best loved traditions albeit in new ways.
Jayden Mishquawtuk Mars, MWS alum and Narragansett and Ojibwe Tribal Member, visited Grade 4 as part of their studies of Rhode Island. Jayden is a youth ambassador for the Narragansetts and spoke and danced for the class.
Andrew Gilligan is a class teacher at Meadowbrook Waldorf School and he wrote the following beautiful story about the founding of the first Waldorf school. He first spoke it on September 19, 2019, the season of Michaelmas when traditional tales of a marauding dragon teach us much about community cooperation and the will to build a brighter future.
On Sunday, just one week since our school burned to the ground, we gathered to mourn the loss of our building and its contents. Much of the wreckage has been removed but a huge pile of debris remains piled on the concrete foundation behind a chain link fence. For some, on their first visit, the sight was overwhelming and tears flowed.
Like many teachers and families, we were encouraged to hear Governor Raimondo and Commissioner Infante-Green’s shared goal to return our children and teachers safely to school in the fall and their pledge to work together with schools to accomplish this.Although many unknowns remain at this time, based on current data and guidance we feel Meadowbrook is uniquely positioned to meet this goal for our enrolled families.