Waldorf Education: Producing Creative Scientists

Fifth grade students may not be ready to write research papers but they are ready to make their first steps in that direction. Our Fifth grade students had their first introduction to group research work this Fall. Some liked working in groups and others were challenged by this work. When asked about this, Fifth grade teacher, Mr. Schofield says:

“I feel an obligation to introduce my fifth grade students to group work. I feel Waldorf Education can potentially produce individuals who are creative scientists and mathematicians. That is what I am trying to achieve.”
- Mark Schofield, Class 5 Teacher

Our fifth grade curriculum has North American Geography as a topic for grade five. Mr. Schofield, thought the idea of studying biomes (ecological communities) went nicely with their study of plants this year and animals last year.

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A Community that Gardens Together

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Here at the Waldorf School of Cape Cod, we garden together as a community. We have been gardening at WSCC for at least 25 years, but the addition of the lunch program sparked a new level of commitment to growing food in a quantity that would provide useful parts of the menu. 

Our Seed to Table Meals

Before we had a lunch program, my goal as a gardening teacher was to grow a wide variety of plants. Our harvests sometimes became a salad prepared and eaten in third grade. I often sent food home with children and sometimes this made its way into dinner and at other times a child would tell me that her lost carrots were found shriveled in the back of the car. It is wonderful to know all the good, organic food we grow will be eaten - in Chef Peet's lunch, in the Wednesday take home meals, as snack during our weekly faculty meetings or via veggie sales in the lobby. 

How a Waldorf Teacher Teaches Compassion

Second grade teacher, Ieeda Rico, shared the story of Saint Francis in The Wolf of Gubbio with her students. The story is one of forgiveness and compassion for humans and animals alike.

After she shared this story, the class visited some local animals in need at the MSPCA. The children brought items to the animals that the shelter requested to provide them with the care they need. This act of selflessness and compassion towards the animals was a way for the students to relate what they learned about Saint Francis to their own experience. When children are given this opportunity, they are interested, alive, and what they learn becomes their own. Waldorf schools are designed to foster this kind of learning.

“The children were so excited to have an opportunity to bring their individual gifts to the shelter, and meet the animals and staff that would directly benefit from their thoughtfulness. What a great way to directly experience the story and lessons of true compassion and giving that we are taught by great individuals in history, like St. Francis.”
Ms. Rico, Second Grade Teach, WSCC

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