Written in 2007 but never printed or distributed until now, Waldork is a sort of mini graphic novel that I wrote when I was in 8th grade. It's split into four parts, each of which are their own zine, but they're chronological and sold as a set! Waldork tells the story of my 7th grade year at a dysfunctional Waldorf school in rural Northern California. This series of comics is unaltered from how it was written and drawn when I was 13, and it gives an embarrassingly honest portrayal of life from a tween's perspective. 52 pages total, printed at the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Portland, OR.
G7 physiology and G8 anatomy Teaching G7 physiology and G8 anatomy is a challenge in the Waldorf classroom! There really are not many resources on it. I have had to myself compile ideas from various sources such as my own textbooks and online journals. Then, I added my own layer of ideas and imaginations - after all, that is what Rudolf Steiner had expected we would do in our teaching! Whether you are teaching in a classroom for your students or in a home school for your children, you might find this post with an outline for blocks useful as a starting point. I have included in this post the five key elements of the physiology or anatomy blocks. I then list four concepts within each of the four systems for physiology and anatomy. In this way, you will have a guideline for a four-week block. Most likely, you will conceive of your block in your own special way to meet your beautiful students. I have updated this blog post to include a link to an eBook I wrote that addresses the topic of reproduction. You might find it helpful in opening a conversation with your teen! The eBook contains illustrations and a week's worth of ideas for a lesson on the reproductive system. Click on the photo here. "Let's Talk Biology and Biography" eBook Be Authentic, Enthusiastic, Interested, Open, and Understanding. Tie in the Artistic, Musical, Performance, Language Arts. Use your own brand of teaching and skill set to infuse the science blocks with vibrant life! THE FIVE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE BLOCK 1. THEME. In the arc of your year, each block has some kind of underlying theme or message you want to convey. With anatomy, for instance, my theme combined the geometry of the cylinder and the social value of standing on solid ground. The umbrella themes for the upper grades are WELLNESS, SELF-IDENTITY, and HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. 2. PERSONAL RELEVANCE. Draw the children in with how learning about their bodies is important to each of them specifically. 3. HISTORICAL OR BIOGRAPHICAL CONNECTION. Acknowledge the work of historical figures who have contributed to the study and progress of the concepts, and those where anatomy or physiology play an important role in their lives. 4. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS. These are the actual science concepts you wish to introduce to the students. 5. PATHOLOGY, DISORDER, or SOCIAL CONCERN. Offer examples of the social impact of disease occurrence related to the body. SEVENTH GRADE PHYSIOLOGY LIST OF MAIN LESSON CONCEPTS G7 student main lesson page WEEK ONE: Digestive System - Flow of EARTH 1. The Five Core Values of Food 2. Anatomy and Function of the Digestive Tract - including the idea that digestion happens before the first bite 3. Healthy Choices (Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats) 4. Biography of an Olympic athlete, or someone you might know who is struggling with a nutrition disorder. WEEK TWO: Circulatory System - Flow of WATER 1. Components of Blood (Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets) 2. Blood Flow through the Vessels and the Heart 3. Blood Typing, Blood Transfusion 4. Biography of Hippocrates or Galenus WEEK THREE: Respiratory System - Flow of AIR 1. Tree and Human Relationship 2. Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and the Alveoli 3. Healthy Lungs, Unhealthy Lungs (Smoking) 4. Biography WEEK FOUR: Reproductive System - Flow of FIRE 1. Male and Female Parts 2. Eight-Petal Flower 3. Female Fertility 4. Spermatogenesis An extra note regarding the Reproductive System: In the week, it was beneficial for the boys and girls to have a break out discussion with the boys and a male teacher, and the girls with a female teacher to discuss more gender-specific concerns. Another option is to have students anonymously place questions in a box for the teacher to answer in a whole group situation. EIGHTH GRADE ANATOMY LIST OF MAIN LESSON CONCEPTS G8 student main lesson page WEEK ONE: Skeletal System 1. Bone Shapes and Function of Protection and Action 2. Bone Growth 3. Bone Structure - Compact Bone with Osteons, and Spongy Bone with Marrow 4. Joints and Fulcrum Action WEEK TWO: Muscular System 1. Three Types of Muscle (Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac) 2. Muscle Structure 3. Sliding Filament Model 4. Biography of Olympic Athlete WEEK THREE: Nervous System 1. Central Nervous System - the Brain and Spinal Cord 2. The Neuron 3. Peripheral Nervous System - Somatic and Autonomic (Rest/Digest vs. Fight/Flight) 4. Biography: Ivan Pavlov WEEK FOUR: Reproductive System 1. Review of Eight Petal Flower of Seventh Grade (This will soon be an eBook!) 2. Fetal Development 3. Maternal Health 4. Biography or Invite someone in your community who is a midwife or who is pregnant! An extra note on Fetal Development: One of our more memorable activities was using a balloon during my presentation and I blew it up to match the size of the uterus as I talked about fetal development. When the uterus was at term, I had the students put their own balloons under their shirts to mimic being pregnant - it was fun and silly. But....serious too - one of the girls whose balloon she wore under her shirt was adjusting it when it slipped out. One of the boys in class, thinking he was funny, grabbed the balloon, and popped it. My female student was visibly upset to lose her baby. So a lesson there for all of us - these things we do for our students really do matter. NOTE: For the G8 Anatomy participants: soon, I will post the illustrations as promised that tie in the different systems. Dr. Rick Tan
Elizabeth brought home her 7th grade work and I thought I'd share some of it. This is the cover to her main lesson book. The instructions ...
Hels began 7th grade yesterday. The theme for the year is "exploration" and she drew this image of a ship as the cover page of her first ma...
Life in our household continues to be pretty busy with work. I've been in Washington, DC, all week so have no fun activities to share. I th...
Liz began 7th grade last week. I can't believe it. She is all dressed up because they begin the day with a formal ceremony where the 7th gra...
Don’t just ask your kids to label a bunch of stuff on a map! Make them develop their map skills and their ability to follow directions by having them identify physical features using a clue. Included you will find: 13 Task Cards that ask students to find the major physical features in India. A labeled and blank map Task cards that can be used as a wordbank An answer key An answer sheet for student recording A separate list of the questions A PowerPoint Presentation of the cards for whole group discussion A PDF of the cards Your students will love this activity and you will love that they are being challenged!! ** This item is included in a larger Ancient Civilizations Bundle.* Related Products • Ancient China Geography Scavenger Hunt and Task Cards - Differentiated • Ancient Civilization Geography Scavenger Hunt & Task Card Bundle- Differentiated • Ancient Egypt Geography Scavenger Hunt and Task Cards • Ancient Greece Geography Scavenger Hunt and Task Cards - Differentiated • Ancient Mesopotamia and Sumer Geography Scavenger Hunt and Task Cards • Ancient Rome: Geography Scavenger Hunt and Task Cards - Differentiated
Life in our household continues to be pretty busy with work. I've been in Washington, DC, all week so have no fun activities to share. I th...
Journal for Waldorf / Rudolf Steiner Education Vol. 13.2 Nov 2011
The best book to read for teaching 7th-11th grade reproduction is You can get this book at Bob and Nancy's book Waldorf Book store. Linda Knodle has other books as well that are VERY good for this topic. The activities and the drawings are great for waldorf teachers Human Fertility June 30, 2010 by admin For use with 10 - 12 year olds Grades 4-7Linda E Knodle Coming of Age Curriculum Series Lessons in Support of the Inner and Outer Changes in Puberty and Adolescence Softound $29.95 We are happy to be able to offer Linda Knodle’s newest editions of her original Human Fertility curriculum. She has now created two separate curriculum guides to better support the needs of different adolescent age groups. In this first volume, offered in support of students in grades 4-7, Linda guides teachers, parents and community leaders through a detailed curriculum offerings designed to create a warm understanding of the physical and emotional changes the students are experience. Further, Linda helps adults weave a welcoming community around these teenagers. This is truly a heartfelt work which has already graced the lives of hundreds of adolescents and the adults who care for them. Contents: Part One: Preparation for the Course Introduction Sample Rotation for Middle School Blocks of Study Daily Main Lesson (Sample) Elements of the Lesson Preparation: Before Classroom Work Preparing Yourself Preparing the Faculty Letter for Faculty or Adult Community Preparing for Parents Letter for Parents Preview Questions for Interviews Overview Preparing for the Students Details of the Day Spelling List Resources for Teachers and Parents Resources for Students Part Two: Lesson Plans Part Three: Supplements
winter concert at davis waldorf Winter break for Davis Waldorf was heralded by a beautiful evening of seasonal songs, lively dancing, string ensembles, and concert band performances. Students of grades two through eight proudly gave their all in bringing holiday cheer to the DWS community. My seventh grade students had been practicing a song and dance number that I had composed for the past three weeks. Drawing from their varied talents and strengths - two on percussion, a pianist, two guitarists, vocalists, and dancers (a special thanks to my daughter who choreographed their dance), the students came together to create a very special offering. Here are the lyrics: Winter light aglow whisper of falling snow Lonely star on high A silent holy night Holly and mistletoe Wreaths on every door Bells rign in the season Apples and cinnamon Friends and family Are all the gifts I need Never mind the tinsel Or stockings on the mantle In this winter holiday I sing to heaven and pray Climb down Ye angels Bring peace Climb down Ye angels Bring peace Climb down Ye angels Have a blessed holiday season! Rick
Life in our household continues to be pretty busy with work. I've been in Washington, DC, all week so have no fun activities to share. I th...
Life in our household continues to be pretty busy with work. I've been in Washington, DC, all week so have no fun activities to share. I th...
Passover Amma The Eye of Horus Islamic Prayer The Bread and Roses Textile Strike of 1912 The Birth of Jesus The Fox and the Grapes ~*~ 8th Grade Physics Block ; Michaelmas The Fisherman and his Wif…
