Waldorf Education - Science Through the Grades Road Map Pt. 2

This is a two part post.  Part 1 is HERE.

The first post focused on science through grade 5.  Now we'll tackle what comes next. I do think for homeschoolers, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to be intimidated. Science was never my strong point in school, but I found myself enjoying it so much while I have been preparing for our lessons.  Remember that it is about owning what you do know and blessing it so you can take it to your children - take the time to prepare, not cram, preparation can be as simple as working through the material and letting it sit or it can be actually working through experiments to see the outcome.  So much has to do with how you learn and how you can then transform that learning into a living experience for your child.

Grade 6/Class 6: This year children get a taste of physics with sound, heat, light, magnetism and static electricity. It also digs deeply into geology, minerals of the Earth and their qualities (in relation to geography) as well as a continuation of botany.

Karl Stockmeyer says about mineralogy: "Thus mineralogy, which should follow simple zoology and botany, is meant to be taught as a part of geography and in this way a much wider relationship to the world in general and to man is achieved."

Grade 7/Class 7: This year has you extending your physics lessons and you'll also pick up some chemistry, physiology and astronomy.

Steiner tells us:

"In the seventh class you extend the teaching of acoustics, heat, optics, electricity and magnetism, and only from there do you proceed to the most important principles of mechanics, i.e., the level, wheel and axle, roller, pulley, inclined plane, cylinder, screw, etc."

As part of physiology, the study of nutrition and hygiene is important. For many homeschoolers, you have probably been working on this since your child was small, especially if you eat a special diet, but this is the time to really talk about it. Why is it important?

Remember as you work through these years that Steiner had a heavy emphasis on geography as it could easily help you cover many things, from the condition of peoples lives, to how food is grown, to the climate of the land, etc. We do have to be careful not to lose sight of the earth as a whole.

Grade 8/Class 8: As all the other years build on each other, so does this one. Still keeping geography in mind, you can continue a botany study, perhaps taking into account trees and what each type of timber is like and used for, where they are grown and the resulting land formations, etc.  This can carry into 9th grade as well.

I like what Roy Wilkinson (a master Waldorf teacher) has to say:
"There is a basic fact that in Rudolf Steiner's conception of the world, the Earth and all that is contains, including human beings, have evolved from a living spiritual source. The cosmos and Earth are not dead mechanisms consisting of so many parts, but form a unity and a whole."

Chemistry in these grades (7+) should always be more than just playing with a science kit, a careful consideration of each element you are working with should be central.  For instance when working with lime, you should discuss how lime in found in many processes, from agriculture to steel processes. Always remembering to bring it back to the human being and their relationship to the earth and surroundings. These studies can also be useful in the study of physiology and the chemical processes in the body.

Upper school (9th+) sciences are a deepening and furthering of what they have already learned. This is the time to really pool your resources.  Do you know anyone that might be a doctor, nurse, x-ray technician, ultra sound technician or maybe someone that works physically with computers or television? Understanding how these things work is a wonderful experience for them.  There is a great show my big boys have latched onto called "How it's Made" by Discovery Channel, many episodes are on streaming services like Netflix.  Use technology for good with your older children, watch with them and discuss the outcomes on the show - don't let it be a babysitter for your teen.

Wilkinson discusses those final years of upper school science:
"The work continues through the next class to the final school year when the object should be to look at all subjects from as many points as possible, e.g. to look at the theory of color from both the Newtonian and the Goethean aspect; to look at various theories of evolution; to gain an insight into the difference between chemical processes in humans and those in nature...At all stages studies should be interwoven with and supported by stories of the lives of inventors and pioneers."

As you approach these subjects, getting comfortable with them yourself is key.  Remembering too that while you have been their main teacher all this time, in adolescence, they need the mentoring of others and this is a good time to seek others to help you and to connect with your child.

Did you miss part 1? Find it here. 

Learn more about Waldorf by the grade here and find our curriculum for each grade here.