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The Curriculum of the Steiner School - Class 1

Notes and Lesson Plans

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Eight Books for the
First Grade Year

my list of recommendations

A Note:

If you can only afford the essentials, these are the two things -- and the only 2 things -- that you need to develop your homeschool curriculum.

Both of these resources cover grades 1 through 12.

(And, don't worry, you can still do a FANTASTIC job!)

AWSNA Curriculum Chart

the WHAT and the WHEN

$8.00
on March 5, 2015

The Educational Tasks & Content of the Steiner Waldorf Curriculum

the HOW and the WHY

$40.00
on March 5, 2015

Archetypal Professions
updated April 7, 2023


Recorded here is my own personal collection of articles, resources, favorite links, teaching ideas, and lesson plans. It encompasses many years, from the very beginning of my experience studying and learning about Waldorf to the present time. People from all around the world visit my site and recommend it to others. Welcome!

This site records my journey. I hope my honesty is encouraging and helps break down some barriers that may prevent people from trying Waldorf methods. Because this is an ongoing site documenting my curriculum planning and ideas, some materials are more Waldorf-y than others. Please feel free to take what you like and leave the rest.

This page has helpful links and LOADS of free resources to help you plan your first grade year. Enjoy!


Mission Statement - Consulting Services - Lending Library


Archetypal Professions
for Class 1


For more on Steiner's 12 Archetypal Professions, I highly recommend the important work of Suzanne Down!

Women's Writes of Passage December 24 - January 6, 2020
A Course for the Holy Nights Inspired by Steiner's 12 Professions and the Soul Powers They Represent. Online

The Annual Puppet Boot Camp: A Five Day Intensive
The 2019 topic was Steiner's 12 Professions: The Moral Value and Artistry of the Worker Archetype in Story, Puppetry, and Fairy Tales. Boulder CO


Each Archetype has other professions which fall under it; the Archetypes can also work together. Each has a series of gestures which embody its work, and she is the expert at using these gestures and puppetry in a therapeutic way to bring the essence of these ancient professions to children, helping them to feel a sense of stability and purpose in an ever-changing world.

Some general resources:


Some resources for various professions:

Farmer
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Farming & Gardening.

Gardener
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Farming & Gardening.

Baker
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Measurement.

Weaver
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Handwork.

Spinner
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Handwork.

Builder
Note: This is explored in further detail in Third Grade Housebuilding.

Beekeeper
Note: This is explored in further detail in Fourth Grade Zoology.

Healer
Note: This is explored in further detail in Fifth Grade Botany.

Protector

Shoemaker

Cobbler

Tailor

Merchant

    Beauty and the Beast
    retold by Marianna Mayer


    The Tale of Ginger and Pickles
    by Beatrix Potter

    Note that the Merchant specifically DOES NOT MAKE items, but sees a need in his community and meets it. He provides the items by offering them for sale. In this way, the "Tin-Peddler" chapter of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder does not work, because the peddler was also the tinsmith. But the "On the Road with Rowlie" chapter of Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight would work, because the traveling potter does not make his wares.

Shepherd / Shepherdess

    field trip

    Little Boy Blue

    Little Bo-Peep

    taste sheep yogurt, cheese

Goatherder

    Peter in Heidi by Joanna Spyri, chapters 2 & 3

    taste goat milk, yogurt, cheese

Hunter

    field trip / archery lessons

Woodcutter

    special guest - learn how to light a fire with two sticks


    Tell Me a Story
    edited by Louise deForest
    "The Golden Pine Cones," page 176


    Favourite Grimm's Tales
    illustrated by Anastasiya Archipova
    "The Hut in the Forest," page 23

Blacksmith

Fisherman

Scientist
a modern profession in the Fisherman category
fishing for insight -- different from gathering food
goes to vast, deep, wide, far sea -- very drawn
his connection to something so huge -- there's a deep reverence
finding the mysteries they cannot see -- throw a line, a net, pull out treasures

    special guest: ours was a microbiologist studying early life on Earth

    local:
    Dr. Scott Hamilton-Brehm
    Dr. Punit Kohli

Note: When I taught this in 2020 I spent one week on the Four Elements and three weeks on the Archeyptal Professions. If I were to do this again, I would give the Four Elements a full four week block and the Professions a full four week block, covering three professions in each week.

My blog posts from teaching this topic:



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