2024/2025Â Class 9Â Full Experience Details
Live Zooms in Pacific Time
Main Lesson:Â Tuesday & Thursday 10 am
Math:Â Tuesday at 12 pm
Guardianship:Â Thursday 7 amÂ
Four Fold Enrichment:Â Wednesday 8 amÂ
Humanities Main Lesson Blocks with Mr. Siepker
Modern History:Â Children have journeyed through the epochs of time, characterized by myths and legends. They soon arrived at real recorded Historical events. These events have led us to modern times and more practically into the modern age. The focus will be on specific ideals that were at the forefront of certain historical events and the biographies of key figures. We will endeavor to create a space for them to form their own judgments from within their own capabilities. History lessons will lead the children, from passing judgment to forming judgments of their own.
Art History: The powerful subjectivity and emerging critical intelligence of the young adolescent encounter an underlying theme of polarities woven through the Waldorf curriculum for Ninth Grade. The weeks of studies in the realm of Art History will take us on a journey through human history through art while echoing the gesture of the dramatic tension between opposites. As we explore various times of history through changes reflected in art, we will encounter dramatic tension of dualities – light and darkness, Human Being and Nature, pagan and Christian, good and evil, death and resurrection – resonating with the inner search for identity and meaning.
This Main Lesson block is an overview of the primary visual arts, mostly painting, and sculpture, from pre-historic times to the Renaissance.
Students will look at various examples of art through slides, be encouraged to visit local Art Museums to look at their exhibits, explore and discuss some of the online museum exhibits during our live online class sessions, and create their own copies of pieces inspired by various periods we will explore.
In the process, students will create a main lesson book consisting of artwork, written composition texts, diagrams (if applicable), and personal touches that show attention to aesthetic appearance and page design for both, pages of writing as well as the pages of drawing. While following the cultural development through active observation of historical works of art, students will also develop an appreciation for art, aesthetics, and attention to detail.
The Novel: In this main lesson block, we will examine the genre of the novel through the prism of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. This classic was produced during the time when the genre was in its fullest development and creates the opportunity for students to become familiar with the challenges of reading historical writing. We will study various elements of the novel, such as story, plot, and character, as well as aesthetic and thematic development as the novel genre grows and changes over time.
With this understanding, students will workshop excerpts from their own “novel.” This will create an opportunity to apply these specific aspects of fiction to their own work, as well as practicing the use of rich vocabulary, imagery, and other written conventions. Additionally, students will work on both self and peer editing skills to solidify their grasp of correct grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
Finally, we will explore questions of translations, abridgments, and omissions. Noticing these changes and how they depend on the audience and historical period of a publication continues to be relevant in how language is used and influenced in our contemporary world.
Guardianship Class with Ms. Daniela and Mr. Siepker
Guardianship Class:Â Our Guardian teachers will support the full experience students through monthly and seasonal themes of focus and various projects. Students will have support and guidance in developing capacities for managing their time, leading and collaborating as a team, finding opportunities to go out and serve their local communities, asking for help when needed, and so on.
Guardian teachers are inspired by the striving to build a sense of connection and belonging for the group that will help students create ways of both, deepening their High School community and staying accountable to themselves and their teachers in their learning and creative work.
Math with Mr. Starzynski
Math Track:Â We will begin this course with a review of prealgebra concepts. We will then dive straight into algebra spending a significant portion of the year on solving linear equations using multiple techniques. Along the way, we will review and deepen basic geometry concepts and begin to look at combining geometry and algebra (a.k.a. graphing). Ultimately, the class will build up to solving 2nd-degree equations (quadratics).
During this year, we will also look at several interesting math puzzles.
Permutations, Combinations & Probability Block:
“Probability is the very guide of life.” -Cicero"
The Permutations, Combinations & Probability Main Lesson is an exploration into possibilities and chance. We will learn how to find the number of possible outcomes in an event and then use these outcomes to discover the likelihood of a specific outcome occurring. Along the way, we will learn how probability theory developed during the 17th century and we will look at various applications.
Science Main Lesson Blocks with Ms. Vidhya
Biology:Â In the biology block, we start by studying how humans interact with the world by studying the five main senses - sight, smell, hearing, feeling, and taste. How does the body sense? What challenges may come up and how have humans worked through any problems? We then go from the extremities of our body to what makes up the core of our body - the bones / skeletal system. We will study this subject through artistic drawings, modeling, descriptive writing, and by conducting a few simple experiments.Â
Physics: Our very first science block will be the study of Thermodynamics. We will perform experiments to understand the laws of thermodynamics, understand the relationship between heat and temperature, build our own thermometer, and finally work our way up to understanding the workings of an engine. Students will perform experiments, write Main lesson entries, write quizzes, read science articles, and present their individual projects. Â
Chemistry: Our third science block will involve the study of organic chemistry. We start by studying what makes up a plant? What is the inter-relationship between elements found in nature and the way plants store energy? How do we name these organic compounds? We will learn this and more by conducting experiments, writing quizzes, writing main lesson entries, reading articles, and presenting a project. Â
Earth Science:Â In the final science block we will study our planet Earth. Is Earth static or dynamic? Is there a way to make sense of the different formations on Earth like volcanoes, mountains, and trenches? We will study this subject through reading articles, quizzes, Main lesson book work which will involve drawings, descriptive writings, and finally project presentation.Â
Enrichment is incorporated in your full class experience!
Meet your Four Fold Enrichment teachers!
Handwork With Ms. Maggie
Margaret and her family live in Holland, Michigan along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan where they love hiking and spending time at the beach. She has been homeschooling her three children for several years, using the Waldorf philosophy. Margaret's passion for handwork and fiber arts was instilled in her at a young age when her grandmother taught her to knit and crochet. She has since always had a project in hand. In 2014, Margaret began making Waldorf dolls and as the owner of Poppenhuis she now writes patterns and tutorials to teach others to make dolls. Margaret has attended Taproot Teacher Trainings and completed Waldorf Essentials Training Courses. As handwork teacher, Margaret hopes to spark a passion for handwork in children and inspire them to create beautiful works of art.
Eurythmy Inspired Movement With Ms. Tiffany
Hello and warm greetings from South Carolina in the Unites States! My name is Tiffany Conary. I am a Waldorf homeschooling mom of seven. Two of my children are grown and left the nest, four are currently being homeschooled, and one is preschool age, but keeping up with everything her brothers and sisters are doing! I am the Movement Teacher for Seasons of Seven. I am very excited and so eager to get to know every one of my students and their families. For the past 4 years I have been doing eurythmy movement, with multiple ages and stages, in my homeschool co-op group. This is something I enjoy doing immensely! It is interesting to see what works and what doesn’t at each stage of life. I am currently working on a clear and understandable homeschool eurythmy curriculum since there is a great need for eurythmy in the home. Waldorf education is beautiful and wonderful but would not be complete without eurythmy. That is why I feel it is my call to bring eurythmy to as many homeschooling families as I possibly can. Seasons of Seven is a lovely way to provide a Waldorf education to those wanting to stay at home. YOU too should have the opportunity to do the engaging art of eurythmy as well. I am excited to work with the older students to help them feel comfortable in their bodies, express the feelings they cannot with words, and to bring them into the thinking stage of life. I look forward to this year and look forward to working with you!
German with Mr. Dornemann
The aim of the course is to experience the German language, to get used to its sounds, acquire basic vocabulary and speaking skills. It is intended for beginners with no or little previous exposure to the German language. Â
In the recorded part of the lessons there will be listening and speaking activities, poems, songs, stories and tongue twisters. Students will practice speaking by repeating what the teacher presents. In our live sessions we will engage in speaking and conversation as well as call and response. Â
The vocabulary covered will include actions, counting, phrases, cultural references and many words describing aspects of everyday life.
Music with Mr. Mark
Hello! I’m Mark, and teaching music is one of my favorite things. I’ve been a professional performer (singer, musician, actor...) for most of my life. Still am. But around twenty-some years ago, when my own kids were little, I began to be interested in sharing my creative spark in a different way: through teaching. And I found such joy in sharing that spark that to this day it continues to burn bright. I am a certified Orff-Schulwerk music educator. I’m Waldorf trained -- my own kids were homeschooled Waldorf-style and went on to Waldorf schools -- and I spent several years as a Waldorf Kindy Teacher and then a Class Teacher for grades 5-6. I’ve taught music, acting, improvisation, Shakespeare, dramatic literature and more, to humans of all ages, from toddlers to octogenarians. (So ok, technically I guess that’s “most ages” not “all ages”... but you get the idea ....) I’m excitedly looking forward to meeting all of the Seasons of Seven families.
