Main Lesson Block
Last week in our Middle Ages block, we learned about the social, economic, and political shifts that had occurred by the late Middle Ages. We delved into the ongoing impact of human migrations from the north, specifically the impact of the Viking raids. We also learned about William, the Conqueror and the profound impact the Norman Conquest had in shaping Britain. We also learned about knights and the Code of Chivalry. Our geographic focus has centered around events in Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East for our study of this time period. Later this spring, we will study Chinese history and look at what was going on in Asia during the same period. It is my goal that by the end of the school year, this symptomatic historical approach will enable the students to be able to compare and contrast developments and systems in Asia and Europe. Next year we will round out our studies of World History and Geography into Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America.
This week we begin our play block and will be spending most of our main lesson time slot preparing for our play performance on February 13. In Waldorf education, the class play serves as a vehicle for arts education and also as a way to strengthen the social interdependence of the class. The play is also a tool as well to stretch individual capacities. Since our play is set in the late Middle Ages, it also functions to reinforce the classroom curriculum. I plan to continue to bring biographies from the era to the students throughout the play that will represent the symptoms of the time.
Research Project
I met with each student last week to check in on their progress with their research projects. It is my hope that the bulk of learning in this undertaking comes from the process and that their subject matter learning is secondary to their project management successes and failures. I encourage parents to step back and let the students collect their own materials and do their own project planning. My goal for this project is to expose them to the academic research process and deadline management. However, I am also excited to learn more about their subject matter alongside them as they all seem to have genuine enthusiasm for their topics.
Math
We finished our unit on integers last week and took the end of unit test. Overall, the students performed well on their assessments, but we will continue to review operations on integers over the next year as we move into more Algebraic concepts. We will continue to work on Geometry and Algebra and Business Math throughout the spring semester.
Field Trip
We will be going to Medieval Times on Tuesday, Feb. 4 for an educational matinee performance on "Chivalry in Action." We will be watching a jousting tournament, sword fighting demonstrations, falconry, and horsemanship. This will be a powerful reinforcement for our block study. I look forward to sharing the experience with the students. Please arrive to school by 8:40, so that we can ensure an on time arrival to the castle.
Foreign Language
Last week, we had a Chinese teacher and students from Taiwan share a puppet show and lead us in a Lunar New Year craft project. In Spanish, the students made delicious tortillas and continued to polish up the poem they started learning last semester. They will perform the poem at the First Friday assembly this week. Please join us if you are able!
