Entering First Grade is a milestone for the young child, a threshold to a new way of learning.

The First Grade teacher has a lot on their plate—to meet the expectant child and parents, to guide and form the new social life of the class, to set up good habits for the coming years in the Grades. The teacher has to navigate both a gentleness in the transition from Early Childhood, but also work energetically with the newly available capacities of the 7-year old. The First Grade teacher has to create the bridge for the children—from one realm to another.

Gail Weger is a Waldorf class teacher with 24 years of experience and has just successfully completed this year with her new First Grade. She will be bringing her knowledge of the whole grades journey as well as fresh experience of this joyful and critical task.

Diane David will bring thoughts about the transition from Early Childhood into First Grade, and Ken Smith, Kristine Deason and Jeff Loubet will bring their insights into the nature of the First Grade child and the wisdom of the Waldorf curriculum.

Schedule

9 - 10:15 am: Key Curriculum and Story Telling - from Grimm’s to the Pedagogical Story (presentation and practice)

10:15 - 11 am: Snack Break (45 min)

11 - 12:30 pm: 1st Grade Essentials

Bridging from Early Childhood to the Grades/Introduction to key curriculum:

Intention/Goals for First Grade: What is essential?

Transition from Kindergarten is a healthy one

Connection, finding their place in the world

Social development

Development of inner picturing - freed up thinking

Picture of human archetypes

Greater incarnation into physical while maintaining spiritual origin

Strengthening the etheric through rhythms

Movement, Verse and Song through the year (each day, to begin the session)

Summer preparation, block rotation, time management . . .

Preparing the space in which to receive the children

Supporting social connection

Strengthening healthy habits

Being the loving authority

The Review: using the night and best practices

12:30 - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break (90 min)

2:00 - 3:30 pm: Transition from Kindergarten with Diane David

Coming to the world of writing with Ken Smith

Form Drawing, Language Arts and Math Curriculum Jeff Loubet and Kristine Deason

If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany at tiffany@bacwtt.org.

**Please note that this course is intended for current and practicing Waldorf educators only.**

**A Zoom link for the course will be provided to registrants closer to the start date of the course.**