High School Grade Descriptions

9th Grade:

Humanities

In class nine, the students read a variety of genres including poetry, short stories, essays and novels in the main lessons. Students study polarities in History through social, political and cultural actions, conflict, and the change of human consciousness, considering art history, the history of the modern world, local history, and current events. Artistic expression is infused through all main lessons.

Mathematics

The focus of the 9th grade math curriculum is Algebra, the main language used in mathematics and science. Being able to use Algebra will help students to understand more about the world by strengthening their ability to think abstractly. To learn the language of algebra necessitates building on mathematical skills, as well as learning how to persevere when things are not clear. Additionally, students will revisit the Platonic Solids in the Descriptive Geometry main lesson, learning to see and move them in new ways.

Sciences

The sciences in high school encompasses four streams - physics, chemistry, life sciences and earth sciences. The study of different sciences will be a combination of hands-on experiments, demos, study of scientific articles, writing science papers and individual projects. In organic chemistry, students will study sugars, carbohydrates, alcohols and acids. This topic could then open up a discussion on alcohol abuse and addiction. In earth sciences, grade 9 students will delve into earth’s history, continental drift, glaciation and erosion. In Life sciences, we start with sense organs and its ramifications on cultural issues. We study the rhythmic system and subsequent ethical / rights issues. Physics of engines will be studied by introducing the students to study of heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics.

Eurythmy Inspired Movement: The theme of the ninth grade is “Dynamics, Dionysus, Polar Opposites", and we will explore this by connecting movement and gestures to their most intimate feelings. We work with dramatic soul gestures and specific concentrated exercises. For tone, we will work with intervals, harmonies, and tone gestures, as well as, gravity and levity through raying and streaming. For copper rods we will learn to master and properly execute advanced copper rod exercises and put together a copper rod “piece.”

American Sign Language: In grade 9 we open up our discussions with thinking about the Deaf culture. We look at various controversies such as oralism versus total communication. Cued speech versus ASL only. We look at various technologies used in the Deaf community and translating text and words into ASL. Students will learn ASL through various perspectives related to the Deaf world. They will also learn ordinal and cardinal numbers and discover who Alexander Graham Bell is in the D/deaf community.

Music: In Music Class 9 we use singing games, dancing games, and sing-alongs to create music together. We explore physically the steady beat, how the beat relates to rhythm, and how beat and rhythm relate to melody in a naturally organic progression. The material we use incorporates aspects of the students’ Main Lesson blocks. Emphasis is on creative expression and musical exploration, where everyone participates together in the creation of beautiful music. Rythmic and Melodic Notation are explored in a fun, organic way that relates to the Feeling Life of the music rather than the Intellectual, and we will compose our own songs. We incporporate Intermediate Recorder into our musical explorations (many students have already been playing recorder at this age, and I take that into account as I incorporate complete beginners with those who have some recorder skills, so that we can all progress together). We will also incorporate Beginning/Intermediate Ukelele! 

Handwork: The main focus of handwork in Class 9 is the ancient craft of basketry. We will begin by exploring the history of basketry and how baskets have been essential since the beginning of human civilization. Students will learn different coiling and weaving techniques and use materials from nature to create several styles of baskets.

10th Grade:

Humanities

In class ten, students circle back to ancient cultures with a different depth than in the lower school with a closer study of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. Students will study poetry and have the opportunity to work on their own memoir, additionally, students will also have opportunities for drama and public speaking. Artistic expression is infused through all main lessons.

Mathematics

The 10th grade math curriculum explores topics in Geometry, such as circle geometry, triangle geometry, proofs, and mensuration. We will also do some Algebra review, as well as an introduction to Algebra II and Trigonometry.

The goal of the track class is to build vocabulary and skills in Geometry, to cultivate our interest in mathematics, and to come to appreciate the beauty and wonder of Geometry. This requires a ruler, a protractor, a compass, an open mind. In Main Lesson, we will take a deeper dive into the mysteries of Greek Geometry, exploring the work of Pythagoras and Euclid.

Science

The sciences in high school encompasses four streams - physics, chemistry, life sciences and earth sciences. The study of different sciences will be a combination of hands-on experiments, demos, study of scientific articles, writing science papers and individual projects. Grade 10 chemistry involves study of salts by crystallization, by its effect on water culminating in making soap. We will study acids by making it, by studying its effect on various materials and by acid-base neutralization. Grade 10 earth sciences involves study of inner structure of earth, study of water flow, ocean currents, interplay between climate and vegetation. In grade 10, we will discuss the metabolic system which will include nutrition and food. Other systems such as skeletal, nervous, hormonal and embryology may be included if there is sufficient time. Grade 10 physics will primarily involve study of mechanics by the study of free fall, oscillating movement, circular movement.

Handwork: We will begin the tenth grade year by exploring the history of the ancient art of weaving textiles and its connection to Greek mythology. Students will learn different spinning techniques and use the yarn they spin, in their weaving projects. Students will experiment with different weaving techniques and types of fiber to find what resonates best with their personal style and vision as they weave unique tapestries on their handmade looms. Next we will explore modern macramé and how it originated in the Middle East. We will conclude by learning to use decorative knots to make a hand-woven table mat and a hanging basket.

Eurythmy Inspired Movement: The theme of the tenth grade is “I am to myself an alien land.” We will work with this theme by exploring personal pronouns, thinking-feeling-willing form, and the "evolutionary sequence." For tone, we will work with intervals, harmonies, and tone gestures, as well as, gravity and levity through raying and streaming. We will also work with the deeper structure of the c-scale. For copper rods we will learn to master and properly execute advanced copper rod exercises and put together a copper rod “piece.”

American Sign Language: Grade 10 students will learn American Sign Language through gardening and personal stories of those that are D/deaf and hard of hearing. They will also spend time learning to have voice inflection, correct body and facial movements to match proper vocabulary from their main lessons and non-manual markers. Grade 10 students will work to master ASL syntax this year. 

Music: In Music Class 10 we will explore our creative skills as we compose our own songs, using basic musical building blocks and whatever instruments the students have at hand -- everything from guitars/piano/violin/recorder etc, to "found percussion" (making rhythm with whatever objects are available, pots&pans, etc). Students will come away with a professionally mixed recording of their composition.

11th Grade:

Humanities: In class eleven we are still following historical motifs that began in classes nine and ten. The continuation of history blends with literature surrounding the middle ages over two blocks. Parzival and Poor Henry will be the main literary focus while the historical backdrop for these novels provide a rich dive into the middle ages. These topics support the inner mood of the class eleven child. In the third block, the students cover the evolution of human consciousness via the history of music. Artistic expression is infused through all main lessons.

Mathematics: The 11th grade math curriculum serves to deepen the students’ understanding of Algebra and Trigonometry, and to bring those topics into relationship with Geometry.  Algebra II and Trigonometry provide a gateway to the connection between math and science, and help to lay the foundations for Pre-calculus and the introduction to Calculus in 12th grade.  Additionally, we will explore the history of modern mathematical and philosophical thinking in the Descartes Main Lesson, and push the boundaries of Geometry to infinity in the Projective Geometry Main Lesson.

Science: The sciences in high school encompasses four streams - physics, chemistry, life sciences and earth sciences. The study of different sciences will be a combination of hands-on experiments, demos, study of scientific articles, writing science papers and individual projects. Grade 11 chemistry involves atomic chemistry where the students will be introduced to Laws of conservation of mass, gas laws, Avogadros number, Periodic table, radioactivity. This would then lead to open discussion on moral, socio-economic and environmental effects of nuclear power. We will study some biographies as well. Grade 11 earth sciences involves study of mineral wealth, world trade and its effect in wealth distribution across the world and finally the impact on ecology. Grade 11 life sciences involves study of plant cell, plant-insect relationships, history of microscopy, classification, ecology. For Grade 11 physics, we will perform experiments to study static electricity, magnetism and will build a motor.

Eurythmy Inspired Movement with Ms. Tiffany: The theme of the eleventh grade is “Individual Quest.” We begin this individual quest by working with the 4 main Zodiac, colors, continuation of planetary gestures and activities, and vowels and diphthongs. For tonal work, tone eurythmy intervals and the gestures that accompany them are introduced. All other tone work is a continuation of previous learned fundamentals except with more complex music and forms. For copper rods we will learn to master and properly execute advanced copper rod exercises and put together a copper rod “piece.”

American Sign Language with Mrs. Rebecca: Our focus in grade 11 will be in expressive and receptive skills in American Sign Language. Being able to clearly express themselves in American Sign Language, and how to use what they know to fully understand what is being said back to them. Grade 11 students will work to master receptive fingerspelling skills. They will learn American Sign Language vocabulary in topics such as classifiers and sports.

Handwork with Ms. Maggie: Our focus for the year will be leatherworking. We will begin the year by exploring the history of leatherworking from ancient civilizations in prehistoric times to leatherworking during the Middle Ages through modern day times. Students will learn how to use basic leather hand sewing techniques to create several useful projects throughout the year.

Music: Building on current students’ musical abilities (including instruments played and previously studied either in school or private lessons) and prior musical experience (in school, private lessons, music, making with family and friends), we will work together to create our own unique musical compositions. We will use traditional instruments as well as “found percussion” instruments and body percussion to facilitate our explorations. The 8-week course culminates with the professional-level recording/mixing of our composition, performed by us, and presentedas a digital recording for us to keep and share.

High School Sample Lessons

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 going to be the Movement Teacher this year 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 so excited to work with the younger ones and get those little bodies moving in a way that will encourage their speech process, prepare them for reading and writing, and connect their physical and etheric bodies! I am equally excited to work with the older ones 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!

American Sign Language with Ms. Rebecca

Hello to you wherever you are in this enchanting world!

My name is Mrs. Rebecca, and I am a homeschooling mother of two children in kindergarten and first grade. I have a deep-set love of nature and the outdoors and try and bring this magic to as many American Sign Language (ASL) classes as I can. My family and I live in the wondrous and majestic country of Alaska, USA. By day I homeschool my two children, mid-day I train with the search and rescue team with my dog Sherlock, and in the evening, I am here available to you.

Some of my favorite things outside of family and hiking are: eating ice cream sundaes, jokes, playing card games such as blink and learning to work a farm.  As you attend my class learning stories, poems, alliterations, and songs, I hope you can feel the excitement of learning ASL.  It's a beautiful language, and one that can open many doors to seeing the world from a different perspective. The soundless world is not silent! 

I went to school at Johnson State College in Vermont, USA. I graduated with a bachelors in education and a second bachelors in psychology. I also have a TESOL (teaching English as a second language) 120-hour certificate. I have taught ASL since 2009, and have been an English as a second or other language instructor for the last 4 years. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know what your favorite things are!

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.