A Handbook for Steiner-Waldorf Class Teachers

Written and compiled by Kevin Avison

This popular book is a useful and practical resource for Steiner-Waldorf teachers with detailed suggestions and checklists for teaching all lessons for Classes (Grades) 1 to 8.

The extensive appendix features a compilation of planners for the Waldorf teacher's use, as well as a collection of example record tables for both students and their teachers.

Avison's sage advice provides an interesting and easy-to-navigate handbook for creative classroom activities and management.

Softcover, 144 pages.  24 x 20.8 cm.

Floris Books, 3rd Edition.

Printed in the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

SECTION ONE
1.0 The Imponderables
1.1 Readiness for Class One
1.2 Checklist: Class One Readiness
1.3 Starting Out -- Class One
1.4 Recording and Self-evaluation
1.5 Checklists for Classes One--Three
1.5.1 Numeracy
1.5.2 Form Drawing
1.5.3 Literacy
1.5.4 Other Skills
1.6 About Imitation
1.7 ...and Circle Time
1.8 Movement Skills for Classes One--Four
1.8.1 Class One Movement Skills Checklist
1.8.2 Class Two Movement Skills Checklist
1.8.3 Classes Three and Four Movement Skills Checklist
1.8.4 Classes Four and Five Checklist
1.9 Classes Four and Five Skills Checklist
1.9.1 Numeracy
1.9.2 Literacy
1.9.3 Other skills
1.10 Classes Six and Seven Checklist
1.10.1 Numeracy
1.10.2 Geometry
1.10.3 Literacy
1.10.4 Other skills
1.10.5 Movement skills

SECTION TWO
2.0 Planning Ahead
2.1 Preparation
2.2 Readiness
2.3 Review
2.4 Rehearse
2.5 And the Fourth "R"!
2.6 The Curriculum
2.7 Curriculum and Basic Skills
2.8 Class One
2.8.1 Morning Lesson: Form Drawing
2.8.2 Morning Lesson: Stories/Literacy
2.8.3 Morning Lesson: Understanding the Natural Environment
2.8.4 Morning Lesson: Number
2.8.5 Non-Morning Lesson
2.9 Class Two
2.9.1 Morning Lesson: Form Drawing
2.9.2 Morning Lesson: Literature and Language
2.9.3 Morning Lesson: Arithmetic
2.9.4 Non-Morning Lesson
2.10 Class Three
2.10.1 Form Drawing
2.10.2 Morning Lesson: Literature and Literacy
2.10.3 Morning Lesson: Practical Activities
2.10.4 Morning Lesson: Mathematics
2.10.5 Non-Morning Lesson Subjects
2.11 A Selection of Lessons from the Curriculum for Classes Four–Eight
2.11.1 Morning Lesson: Arithmetic -- Class Four Fractions (two Morning Lessons are envisaged -- possibly three)
2.11.2 Morning Lesson: Human and Animal -- Classes Four and Five Zoology, Botany in Class Six
2.11.3 Morning Lesson: History -- Class Five
2.11.4 Morning Lesson: Physics -- Classes Six and Seven
2.11.5 Morning Lesson: English -- Class Seven
2.11.6 Morning Lesson: The Human Body -- Anatomy and Development -- Class Eight 36
2.12 Morning Lessons
2.12.1 Shaping the Morning Lesson
2.12.2 Elaboration of These Points
2.12.3 The 'Problem' of Transitions
2.12.4 Some Ideas for 'Circles'
2.12.5 Recall: Why and Some Alternative 'Hows'
2.13 Parent and Teacher -- Enthusiasm for Education!
2.13.1 Suggestions for Class Evenings
2.14 Of Meetings and Learnings
2.14.1 Guidelines for Child Study

APPENDICES
Appendix A Movement Skills
Appendix B Checklist: Indicators of Possible Special Learning Needs
Appendix C An Interpretive Device
Appendix D A Possible Foundation Script
Appendix E Number Orientation -- to help your children face number symbols correctly
Appendix F Self-evaluation
Appendix G Planners and Record Sheets
Appendix H Record Keeping -- for individual children
Appendix I When Nothing Seems to be Working
Appendix J Your Most Precious Resource -- care for your voice!
Appendix K How Are Your Children Sitting?
Appendix L An Aid to Note Taking

Downloadable forms are available for this book (all PDF format):
Daily lesson planner
General observations and responses
Lesson planning sheet
Record keeping for individual children -- morning lesson
Record keeping for individual children -- subject lesson
Record sheet -- free writing
Record sheet -- handwriting
Record sheet -- key skills
Record sheet -- reading early stages
Record sheet -- silent reading
Record sheet -- speaking and listening
Record sheet -- speech
Teaching Skills summary
Year Planner