The Curriculum of the Steiner School - Class 8

Notes and Lesson Plans

Eighth Grade
updated January 1, 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.



Class Eight in Waldorf Education

Mission Statement - Consulting Services - Lending Library



A Peek into the Classroom

Morning Verse for Upper Grades

Gallery of Chalkboard Drawings in the Waldorf Classroom grades 1 - 8

Waldorf/Steiner Main Lessons and Main Lesson Blocks VERY helpful article
from the Sophia Institute Online Waldorf Teacher Training program

  • The Main Lesson - Principles and Features
  • The Main Lesson - Structure
  • The Main Lesson - Rhythm
  • The Main Lesson - Planning a Main Lesson Block
  • Sample Template for Waldorf/Steiner Main Lesson Block


samples from the Eighth Grade Curriculum by Live Education!


Ruzuku Stand-Alone Courses

Why Ruzuku Courses?

My Professional Background

Eighth Grade Main Lesson Block Planning


How to Teach Spelling
Grades 1 - 8

$65.00

Human Anatomy &
Physiology

$30.00

U.S. History

cohort limited to 15
$50.00


General Waldorf Resources

The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy
article by Rudolf Steiner

How To Create, Tell, and Recall a Story

Four Ways to Connect with Storytelling
blog post - Simplicity Parenting

Overview of Childhood Characteristics - includes the four temperaments
article by David Mitchell

Blackboard Sketching book by Frederick Whitney (1908)
available online for free - with step by step directions and illustrations

How to Bind a Main Lesson Book

Main Lesson Book pages shared by Christopherus Homeschool Resources

browse through my collection of Pinterest Boards
with chalkboard drawings and main lesson book pages for many main lesson blocks

Movement for Childhood - wonderful site!

Waldorf Today Newsletter
very interesting & free weekly newsletter sent via email each Monday

Block Rotations Grades 1 - 8 (PDF)
by Jamie York

Summary of Math Skills for Grades 1 through 8 (PDF)
by Jamie York

A Grades 1 through 8 Math Curriculum Overview (PDF)
by Jamie York

Word Problems in Grades 1 through 8 (PDF)
by Jamie York

Jamie York has a BUNCH of free resources on his site including sample math MLB pages for grades 1-11, and lesson plans and assessments for grades 1-5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Waldorf Science Newsletter - issues available in PDF format
page 13 of Vol.1 has a Science Curriculum in the Waldorf School Grades 1-8 overview / one page handout, and page 14 has the same for the Waldorf High School Grades 9-12

World Geography and Waldorf Education
blog post - Switzerite

When Should My Child Begin Music Lessons?
article by Sarah Baldwin

The Spiritual Gifts of Handwork
blog post - Knitting with Children

"Foundations of Waldorf Education" Series Notes
FREE links to all 25 volumes in this series of educational writings by Rudolf Steiner

DO NOT MISS The Online Waldorf Library's tremendous selection of Waldorf education books converted into PDFs and available for FREE download! You can literally save $1000's of dollars!


Curriculum Planning



Natalie's 8th grade year
2015-2016

Natalie came to Waldorf this year with a background of progressive school (7th grade), Sudbury / democratic school (6th grade), traditional public school (4th and 5th grades), and Montessori school (K, K, 1st, and 2nd grades).

She skipped 3rd grade because the public school wanted to put her back with her peers.
I, on the other hand, was happy with the second year of Kindergarten and wanted her to be 7 when she started first grade.

When we decided to homeschool for that final year of middle school, I picked

    Language blocks: Beowulf; Literary Criticism / Short Story; Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, sonnets)

    Mathematics blocks: grade 6 String, Straight-Edge & Shadow; grade 6 Business Math (Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Graphing); Geometry

    Cultural blocks: grade 7 Renaissance, Reformation & Age of Exploration; World Geography; U.S. History / Government

    Science blocks: Human Physiology (two blocks); Physics


At the end of 8th grade she had to take the ACT EXPLORE test for her high school, so that she could be properly placed into classes. All of the public, private, and homeschooled 8th graders in our district took this test. If this is your situation, here are some links to sample EXPLORE tests:



Resources & Recommendations Specific to Eighth Grade


Literature


Composition


Mathematics


Food, Nutrion & Health - Organic Chemistry


Chemistry


Physics


Meteorology


History


World Geography / Foreign Language

    online resources:

  • One of my daughters is using Destinos to help her learn Spanish.
  • Another one of daughters is using Duolingo to help her learn German.


General Resouces

Literature & Composition


History


Drawing, Painting, Modeling


Class Plays


Is there a subject you're having a hard time finding resources for? Please contact the Yahoo Group for suggestions from our members or consider hiring a consultant.


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