Class 6
The twelve year old is at an exciting juncture in their life. The guidance of the adults in their lives begins to make room for the child’s own emerging likes, dislikes, talents and interests.
- The tangible physical world is studied through astronomy, geology and an introduction to physics
- Geometry demands precision and accuracy, testing hand-eye coordination
- The Middle ages and the Roman Empire are studied
- Business Math introduces percentages, interest and banking
- Cyber Civics provides tools for the responsible use of technology
Throughout this year students are encouraged to develop their powers of observation, to work with increased precision and accuracy in all areas of doing and thinking.
Class Seven
Class 7 students are deepening connections within their developing individuality and the outside world. Their sense of identity is broadening and a healthy process of questioning authority is developing. The students are asking for justice and equality in all that they encounter.
- Students dive into the study of the Renaissance, and creative writing
- They gain an understanding of the political, cultural, and physical interrelationships of the countries of the world
- Human Physiology and Chemistry are added to the sciences
- Math is focused on algabraic equations
- Class 7 often begins and ends the year with a multi-day class trip
- The students are ready for abstract thinking and take on perspective drawing in art classes
While a feeling and yearning for independence and solitude may be experienced, a certain anxiety, emotional sensitivity and embarrassment can run alongside. Curriculum themes mirror the students’ outer exploration of the world, and their own inner journey.
Class Eight
The Class Eight student stands on the threshold of adolescence and the preparation for taking their place in the wider world. Their teacher must also change their approach to the class of forward-looking 14 year olds. They are shifting from being the author into becoming a mentor for the interests and pursuits of the individuals that stand before them.
- An Independent Project allows students the freedom to explore an area of interest with a mentor
- The study of the Revolutions encourages them to reflect on their own choices
- Meteorology and Anatomy are added to the sciences
- Geometry introduces students to the harmonious beauty of the Platonic solids
- The capacity for hypothetical deductive reasoning is now at their fingertips
- Class 8 often experiences the world through multiple class trips
Class 8 students are at last able to view themselves and the world objectively. The capacity for hypothetical deductive reasoning is now at their fingertips.
Middle School Enrichment Programs
NWS has experiential-education initiatives, which are designed to bring more hands-on and project-based learning to students. Grades 6-8 have the opportunity to elect which activity they would like to be enrolled in for our Project Days Sessions, such as archery, drumming, sailing, jewellery making and rugby. Outdoor education also thrives within our middle school grades on and off campus. Students look forward to overnight rock climbing, canoeing, snowshoeing and hiking trips.
Project Days
Two times a year students can choose from about a dozen three day workshops held after main lesson times. These workshops are taught by parents, community members and teachers who are skilled in a particular craft or field and who are passionate about sharing what they know with adolescents. Depending on the activity and the set-up required students enrol in either one or two workshops for the week. At the end of the week, there is a school-wide assembly where students present each workshop and what they did.
Workshops in the past have included: metal casting, piano duets, lazure painting, wet felting, bookbinding, baking/cooking, outdoor survival skills, environmental art, songwriting, dance and choreography, Tai Chi, fly fishing, horsemanship, etc.
Outdoor Education
The beautiful setting of the Nelson Waldorf School leads us naturally to focus on outdoor education as a major component of the curriculum through these middle-school grades. Middle School students are now ready for new challenges on every level: intellectual, artistic, and physical. Our Outdoor Education Program is geared to meet the needs for physical challenges, build skills, and develop group awareness. Each year the students have several outdoor events to look forward to, which may include:
- Day trips to local recreation areas
- Blue Lakes Camp
- Cody Caves
- Overnight bike trip in the region
- Multi-day rock-climbing adventure at Skaha Bluffs near Penticton
- Multi-day High Ropes Course
- Canoe trip
- Sea kayaking trip
Amanda Butterworth
Class 6 Teacher
Ralf Hoerger
Class 7 Teacher
Joseph Emerson
Grade 8
