Sixth Grade

H begins 6th grade this year. One of the things I like about the Waldorf curriculum is that it matches children developmentally. Their picture of the eleven/twelve year-old child is one of tremendous physical and emotional change and growth. The curriculum meets this with more abstract work, careful observation and descriptive work in the sciences, mathematics, and language arts, and work with critical judgment such as debate.

Throughout the year, they are asked to do quite a bit of community service. During the spring, they have a 10-hour requirement with a culmination in a Knighting Ceremony and Medieval Games tournament honoring their passage to adolescence.

Here's the roundup of topics being covered. It's a good thing they are giving up a long recess this year!

Geometric Drawing and stories from the Aeneid of Virgil
Mineralogy/Geology with a caving trip
Roman History I
Math I--review of fractions and decimals, area, perimeter, graphs
Rome II--Rome as a republic, Roman feast
Physics--optics, acoustics, heat, magnetism, electricity
Math II--Business Math
Geography of Central and South America
Math III--geometry
History of the Middle Ages
Astronomy
Grammar, weekly spelling, book reports throughout, descriptive writing
Woodworking--carving bowls and spoons
Choir--group singing, rounds and catches, harmony
Strings--harmonies, two-part pieces, classical, seasonal, fiddling, music reading
Handwork--making a doll with proportioned body
French--2-part harmony songs, speech exercises, regular and irregular verbs, grammar
German--first German reader and discussion, conversational past tense, grammar
Movement--Ultimate Frisbee, Track and Field, Archery, Gymnastics, Circus Arts, Volleyball, Medieval Games tournament
Community Service--weekly, plus a 10-hour stint in the spring

How can they not grow in mind, body, and soul this year?? I want to go to school too!