What is a Public Charter School working out of the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education?

 

Shining Willow Charter School will incorporate the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education into traditional public-school standards and goals. Find more information about Core Principles here - https://www.publicwaldorf.org/core-principles

 

What is Waldorf Education?

(*Shining Willow Charter School will work out of the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education)

 

https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf-education

 

Today, more than 900 Waldorf schools exist, worldwide. Waldorf schools incorporate movement, experiential, and artistic elements in every subject to provide children with a hands-on learning experience. Teachers aim to teach the whole child—the head, as well as the heart and hands. Subjects are explored deeply and interwoven together in order to encourage children to be deep explorers, connected to and interested in their fellow human beings and the world.

 

 

What are the main differences between Shining Willow Charter School and other public schools?

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• Lessons are cross-curricular and arts-integrated to provide in depth study of each subject.

• Introduction of subject matter corresponds with the developmental age of the students.

• The daily routine is structured with recognition of a child’s natural learning rhythms.

• Kindergarten is play based.

• Children will keep the same teacher and class group (also known as looping) for grades 1-5, and 6-8.

• Students make their own lesson books.

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What is cross-curricular and arts-integrated?

 

Cross-curricular instruction integrates content and skills from multiple subjects (reading, math, social studies, science, etc.) into one cohesive learning experience. Arts-integrated instruction infuses art (drawing, painting, drama, poetry, music, modeling, handwork such as knitting and sewing, etc.) into core academic subjects to deepen and enliven those subjects. Both are utilized simultaneously in Waldorf Education. Studies have shown that these approaches result in highly engaged and motivated students who are invested in their own learning.

 

What subjects will be taught?

 

In grades 1-8, in addition to standard academic subjects, handwork, world language, and arts will be taught.  Physical Education is incorporated into the daily routine and will also be part of the weekly schedule.