This course will be taught remotely in real-time.Ā
Professional development for Waldorf teachers and homeschooling parentsĀ
This course offers you an invaluable opportunity to focus entirely on your upcoming eighth grade school year in five days brimming with discussions, presentations, and practical activities.
With the insights of anthroposophy, gleaned through a daily look at child development focusing specifically on your classās age group, you will get to know the eighth grader in depth as they stand at the point of inner revolution. Under the guidance of master teachers, youāll discover ways to enliven your teaching and how to approach the blocks so that they may meet the eighth grader in a deep and meaningful way. There will be time and space to consider and hone your skills in such practical matters as main lesson books, block planning, projects and activities, and classroom management.
In addition to inspiration and guidance which will support your teaching throughout the year, you will gain many invaluable opportunities for building connections among a community of parallel colleagues from across the country, to carry with you into your teaching.
Your week will be chock-full of key eighth grade topics, including:
- Teaching modern and contemporary history
- Discovering the world through geography
- Expanding skills and practice with algebra and geometry
- Exploring platonic solids
- Teaching eighth grade science including chemistry, physics, and anatomy
Grade-specific resource materials useful for your year, including poems, songs, stories, and main lesson book ideas, will be provided to you electronically.
NOTE:Ā This course is taught with the expectation that you have a background in Waldorf education.Ā
Lead Instructor
Rebecca Nelson is a middle school specialist at Waldorf School of New Orleans, where she has taught since 2014. Previously, she took a class from sixth-eighth grade at Green Meadow Waldorf School. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, Rebecca discovered Waldorf education while studying Mayan archaeology at Tulane University, from which she earned an MA in Anthropology. She also holds an MSEd in Waldorf elementary education from Sunbridge College.
Rebecca had this to say about her upcoming course: “As a former archeologist and lover of history, my favorite thing about teaching the eighth grade is bringing new innovations to the curriculum to make it more global and relevant to the diverse student body. I look forward to sharing some special projects and approaches in history that have really resonated with my students over the years.”
Your course also includes math and physics with Rob WelcherĀ (class teacher at Urban Prairie Waldorf School) and chemistry with Amy Stemkoski (middle school science teacher at The Waldorf School of Garden City).
Schedule
This course takes place July 17-22 in a synchronous online classroom.
Sunday evening:Ā 7-7:30pm technical check-in; first session starts promptlyĀ at 7:30 and ends at 9
Monday-Thursday: About 4.5 hours of formal instruction delivered between 10-4:30
Friday morning:Ā Last session runs 10-12
ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN (NY) TIME ZONE
NOTE: Participants should be prepared to work on course-related assignments outside of their regularly scheduled instructional sessions (including some that may be assigned in advance), as well as to be available to attend (optional) late afternoon and/or evening instructor-led discussions.
Cost
$600Ā includes all resource materials, yearlong access to your Sunbridge Grade Eight Google Classroom, and a $60 non-refundable deposit.Ā
SeeĀ main summer pageĀ for discount options.
NOTE: Participants will be expected to procure some materials to use during their course. A materials list will be sent to you three weeks prior to your course start date.
Questions?
Please contact Barbara Vitale, admissions and summer coordinator, at [email protected] or 845-425-0055 x20
Sunbridge reserves the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary. See registration form for refund policy.
