Lesson Blocks in Waldorf Education

When Rudolf Steiner started the first Waldorf school, he established the “main lesson”—a two-hour class during which all academic subjects except for foreign languages would be taught. The subjects taught in the main lesson were studied for three weeks to three months. Many activities would fall outside of the main lesson block category, however. These include nature walks, bread making, cooking, and circle time (which happen daily), some crafts and handwork (which naturally flow into some lessons even if they are not your main lesson block focus), and review (for example, you may include some math review in your circle time even if that is not your main lesson block focus).Part 

Part One

Teaching in main lesson blocks is one of the most successful features of Waldorf education, as it allows teachers to cover the curriculum intensively and for students to become immersed. I know from experience with myself, my students, and my children that immersion is the most effective way to learn many things. Learning in a block allows a student to open up to a subject slowly and naturally understand, or to open up to it quickly and fully experience the joy of becoming completely involved in something.

One excellent and unique aspect of the Earthschooling program is that you can use it as a monthly enrichment or work in blocks with your child. This article will discuss:

1. The importance of blocks and how to use them
2. How to use the Earthschooling program as a block method
3. Some specific examples for grades one to eight on how to plan the day

For ages 1-7, you will not be working in blocks. Instead, you will follow a schedule that balances the head, heart, and hands with breathing-out activities and breathing-in activities. I have provided a few sample schedules for this age in The Waldorf Year Planner that comes with your Earthschooling lessons. Note also that foreign language, eurhythmy, yoga, nature walks, movement, some academic review, and some music are not usually done in blocks. A child has exposure to these each week.

If you want to follow a block system with my lesson plans or any other lesson plans, you would include verses, a nature walk, a foreign language lesson, and perhaps some review or “short lessons” in various subjects every afternoon. In the morning, however, you would focus on one or two lesson blocks. Some teachers hold firm to the “one block” at a time method. However, I find that with a smaller homeschooling class, two blocks can often be done at once as long as they are complementary subjects. For example, if we are doing a lesson block on Native American stories, we could easily do a grammar and writing block at the same time, as these can “go together”. Or, if we are studying Greek Mythology, it is also a natural time to do a block on Greece in general and learn more about the country’s geography and culture. I have provided a sample of our plans below, which include two lesson blocks. However, you can easily change them if you wish, so instead of doing two lesson blocks during trimester one, you could do one lesson block at the first part of the trimester and another during the second half of the trimester. I have to admit I have also done that at times when my child needed that. I have three children, and sometimes I have other children over for programs, so the schedule below is an outline, but I may even make changes and adaptations to it from time to time. As Steiner suggested, each teacher is unique. However, I hope this sample inspires and guides you in your planning.

There is a wide variance in how teachers across the country do it. Even Steiner varied the length of time he suggested for blocks. Some lasted as long as 3 weeks, and others for 3 months. He also recognized that each teacher would need to establish this time for herself and her class, so he did not set an exact “rule” or a specific number of weeks for each subject. He suggested a range of times. Additionally, you may plan to do a block for three months, but feel “finished” at two months and want to move on. That is suitable too. Part of Waldorf education is to follow the natural rhythms of the child and life in general.

So, How do I Integrate this into the Earthschooling Curriculum?

How Can I Use Another Curriculum in Block Format?

Each month of Earthschooling lesson plans focuses on one handiwork block, one literature block, and one science block, so these are already planned for the year and in “block form”.  If you look at the lesson plans for each month, you will notice that I focus on only one or two handwork lessons and one or two science subjects. You may choose just one of these to focus on for your science block that month.

However, if you look at the literature I have provided each month, you will find that I have included more stories than anyone could use. This is so you can choose the block of literature most appropriate to your family, culture, and the season for that month. All the literature provided each month is age-appropriate. You do not need to go through all the stories in one month – you are intended to choose the ones appropriate for your block each month. However, if you are not using a pure block method, it is also acceptable to follow the stories each month as they are provided, based on your needs and preferences.

The only blocks that are not pre-planned each month are the math, cultural, and language blocks. This is because we usually spend more than one month on these blocks. If you are a year or lifetime member, you receive the math and language program for the year in a block format to do at your convenience. If you are a monthly member, you can purchase the math or language block in addition to your lessons (for only $7.50). However, I do provide a sample of each block each month, so no matter which month you start in or use to “try out” the program, you will have everything you need for that month without making additional purchases.

How to Teach a Main Lesson: Download HERE

Video Samples That Show Teachers Teaching a Main Lesson

Seeing other teachers give a main lesson can inspire and guide you in your own lessons.

Teacher Nicole: 1st Grade: Uppercase Letter ‘L’

Teacher Nicole: 1st Grade: Form Drawing Sample

Teacher Simone: 2nd Grade: The Main Lesson Book Verse

Teacher Simone: 2nd Grade: The Ant and Grasshopper Fable

Teacher Amy W: 2nd Grade: Lowercase Letter ‘l’

Teacher Amy W: 2nd Grade: Lowercase Letter ‘m’

Teacher Joy: 3rd Grade: Soprano Recorder Lessons

Teacher Joy: 3rd Grade: Shelter Building Lessons

Teacher Joy: 3rd Grade: Creation Stories Main Lesson

 

PART TWO

Specific Instructions on How to Block Out the Earthschooling Lessons

Important Pre-Notes and Tips in Blocking:

1. You will notice that I have provided many more stories than you will use each month. This is so you have more freedom in planning your language block. Depending on your focus for that month, you can choose stories only from that genre and then, after a few months, change the stories you are choosing. For example, in first-grade, you could do the following in three-month blocks: fables & folktales, learning stories, science stories, and finally, fairytales So for August, September and October, you may only use the Fables in the lesson plans, for the next three months you may only focus on the science stories and for the next three months you would only focus on the fairytales. You would not be using all the stories each month anyway. There is not enough time.
2. I usually focus on two blocks at a time for one trimester each. For handiwork, science, and literature, I work in 4-week blocks. The main lessons below are trimester blocks that we do in the morning. The 4-week blocks of handiwork, science, foreign language, and music we do in the afternoon. This is just a sample of what works for us. Additionally, I may sometimes lengthen or shorten a block depending on my child’s needs.
3. Note also that just because you are working in blocks does not mean you will not use the skills from all areas. For example, in one trimester, we may focus on language, but we will still use it throughout the year. We will just not focus on it. Or we may focus on math for a trimester, but we won’t avoid it the rest of the year when it comes up. As much as possible, we integrate math and language studies into all our lesson blocks. We also try to incorporate science, music, geography, and many things. So don’t limit your learning possibilities by closing your mind to “tie-in” opportunities or even a little “unschooling” or child-led lesson planning. The blocks are a way to focus your lessons without limiting them.
4. In the summer months, my children and I do blocks of handiwork and extra lessons such as nutrition, herbal studies, woodworking, storytelling, and other subjects. I offer these blocks as e-books. If we have not finished a block during the year, we may also work on it during the summer.

Here are some specific guides for each age, along with how I organize our lessons…

First-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (counting, the four processes)

& Form Drawing (straight & curved lines), Folk Tales

Trimester Two: Language & Cultural Studies, Fairytales – European/Americas

Trimester Three:  Drama & Writing, Fairytales – Asia, Australia, etc.

Afternoon:

Nature stories, nature walk

Nature-based crafts & art

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages

(Note: Choose your foreign language. It can be any language. It does not have to be German. You should base this choice on your own culture and the surrounding culture. When we were living in the Middle East, our language was Arabic. Now that we are living in the USA, our language studies are more focused on Spanish. As the kids grow older, they also have their own needs. Sofi is now studying Japanese.)

Knitting/painting/block crayons/beeswax modeling/etc., depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Pentatonic recorder

Second-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (basics, the four processes: focus on addition) & Form Drawing (linear)  – Fables

Trimester Two: Lower Case Letters & Grammar – Legends (simple, not epic like King Arthur or Gilgamesh)

Trimester Three: Saints & Heroes (we always include local heroes here and saints from other cultures. Although we traditionally think of saints as Christian, they can be found in every religion)

Afternoon:

Nature stories, nature walk

Nature-based crafts & art

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages

Foreign language games, poems, and verses

Knitting/crochet/painting/block crayons/beeswax modeling/etc, depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Pentatonic recorder

Third-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (Measurements of volume, space, money, and time) – Cursive writing – Form Drawing (Vertical Symmetry).

Trimester Two: Grammar & Spelling – Native American stories (for the Australians in my program, I include the Aboriginal stories instead).

Trimester Three: First Part: Old Testament stories and/or stories from the religious book of your religion (writings of Buddha, Koran, etc.).

Trimester Three: Second Part: We do some of our Persian block here and include a bit about the Middle East as well. Some Waldorf schools advocate doing these blocks earlier. I agree because of the current state of world affairs.

Afternoon:

Housebuilding & gardening

Nature-based crafts & art

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Complex knitting/crochet/painting/block crayons/beeswax modeling/etc, depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Soprano recorder & reading music

Fourth-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (Division, Long Division) & Form Drawing (Celtic Knots)

Trimester Two: Grammar, Spelling & Essays – Local History & Geography (incl. mapping)

Trimester Three: First Part:  Poetry – Norse Mythology

Trimester Three: Second Part: Zoology (we incorporate a lot of “hands-on” here. There are many local organizations, reptile rescues, ARLs, zoos, vets, local colleges, and farms that can provide a lot of “real-life” education here.

Afternoon:

Nature-based crafts & art

Field trips for local geography

Practice the four math processes. Weekly review.

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Complex knitting/crochet/embroidery/sculpture/drawing/painting/block crayons/beeswax modeling/etc, depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Soprano recorder & continue to learn to read music & start learning to do duets or work in an orchestra situation – more than one instrument.

Fifth-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (decimals, metric system) & Geometry – India & Persia

Trimester Two: Grammar, Research & Reports, Different kinds of writing, pen pals & Ancient Egypt

Trimester Three:  Greek Mythology & Greece – North American Geography

Afternoon:

Nature-based crafts & art

Botany/Nature walks – Vary intensity of study/science –vs- exploration and discovery.

Practice the four math processes. Weekly review.

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Phrases and poems in a foreign language of your choice.

Complex knitting like socks and mittens/crochet/embroidery/sculpture/drawing/painting/block crayons/beeswax modeling/carving, etc., depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Recorder & continue to learn to read music & start learning to do duets or work in an orchestra situation – more than one instrument. Do two and three-part rounds, harmonies, and music from Persia, India, Greece, and Egypt.

Sixth-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Literature (Spelling, Biographies, Composition & Poetry) & Physics

Trimester Two: First Half: Math (ratio & estimation) & Latin America

Trimester Two: Second Half: Math (geometry) & Physics

Trimester Three: First Half: Rome & The Middle Ages & Astronomy (I like to put these together because I can tie in some astrology with the astronomy, and then talk about how, hundreds of years ago, the two subjects were one, not two different subjects).

Trimester Three: Second Half:  Geology (We include minerals and gems, and studies on their effects in healing, too)

Afternoon:

Nature-based crafts & art

Botany Review/Nature walks – Vary intensity of study/science –vs- exploration and discovery

Practice the four math processes.

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Communication phrases in a foreign language of your choice.

Knitting and sewing toys and clothing/drawing/painting/charcoal and pencil drawing/clay/carving a spoon or small toy, etc., depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Recorder & continue to learn to read music & start learning to do duets or work in an orchestra situation – more than one instrument. Do two and three-part rounds, harmonies, and music from Latin America and Rome. This is a great chance to do some of that awesome Latin music!

Seventh-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Part One:  Math (pre-algebra, geometry, negative numbers, cube root)

Trimester One: Part Two: Language (Writing reports, creative writing, spelling) & History (The Renaissance)

Trimester Two: Part One: Legends (such as King Arthur or other native legends from your region)

Trimester Two: Part Two: Physics (review and part two)

Trimester Three: Part One: Chemistry

Trimester Three: Part Two: European and African Geography (If you are able, it is also a great time to invest in some travel. Children at this age are eager to learn geography from experience if possible. You can also start looking for opportunities for them to join groups of students that may travel to different locations around the world. Some of these opportunities may have funding available.

Afternoon:

Nature-based crafts & art

Botany Review/Nature walks – Vary intensity of study/science –vs- exploration and discovery.

Practice the four math processes.

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Communication phrases in a foreign language of your choice. Start studying vocabulary lists and building vocabulary.

Knitting and sewing toys & clothing/drawing/painting/advanced drawing/advanced sculpting with clay/Advanced carving, etc., depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Recorder & continue to learn to read music & start learning to do duets or work in an orchestra situation – more than one instrument. Do two and three-part rounds, harmonies, and music from the Renaissance. Ballads are also a good choice for this age.

Eighth-Grade

Morning:

Trimester One: Math (algebra & geometry) & Shakespeare & Other classic literature of your region or culture.

Trimester Two: Part One: Organic Chemistry

Trimester Two: Part Two: American History & Current Events

Trimester Three: Part One:  Geography of Asia, Australia, and Antarctica

Trimester Three: Part Two: Physics

Afternoon:

Nature-based crafts & art

Nature walks – Vary the intensity of study/science vs. exploration and discovery.

Circle time, including songs & verses in other languages & rounds

Communication phrases in a foreign language of your choice. Start studying vocabulary lists and building vocabulary. Venture into some “real life” experiences.

Sewing with machines/drawing/painting/drawing portraits and animals/advanced sculpting with clay/Advanced carving, basic woodworking skills, making simple wood items…depending on the monthly focus in the lesson plans

Recorder & continue to learn to read music & start learning to do duets or work in an orchestra situation – more than one instrument. Do two and three-part rounds, harmonies, and music.