Waldorf: Education for the 21st century
When approached by the news media and asked the question, "What did Waldorf Education do for you?," Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg replied, "It encouraged me to always strive to become a better human being."
In Waldorf schools, children learn experientially, creating their own handwritten and beautifully illustrated textbooks, chronicling their educational experience through their own eyes and hands. What begins in Kindergarten, with children baking bread, polishing wooden toys with fragrant beeswax, and experimenting with watercolour, evolves into a passion for lifelong learning. In the earlier grades, mental concepts are introduced with concrete objects, while imaginative
stories form the basis for arithmetical problems. In the advanced grades, physics, inorganic chemistry and mathematics are treated with visual artistry as well as precision.
“Waldorf taught me how to think for myself, to be accountable for my actions, to be a good listener and be sensitive to the needs of others. It also helped me to focus on the un-derlying importance of beliefs and values that are the foundation of good leadership.”
Kenneth Chenault, President
American Express (former Waldorf student)
Great River School News
by Great River School on 02/11/13
Great River School has been awarded a grant from the Ottawa Sustainability Fund to develop and pilot a social and nature-studies curriculum module to connect urban children with sustainable organic gardening. The program will allow children to experience a full growing cycle and create sustainable healthy food choices – from seed to lunches. The program will encourage students to be socially aware and engaged citizens, with an emphasis on raising environmentally responsible individuals that will contribute to sustainable communities. Students will be engaged in sustainable organic urban farming methods while the faculty will develop a nature studies curriculum module and chapbooks to support knowledge transfer and inspire other communities to develop similar initiatives.
The grant will include a blog where the GRS greater community can follow the children’s progress and experiences in the garden. The blog address will be posted in a future newsletter and on our website.
Congratulations to Georgine Pastershank, Marnie Jull, Ellen Watson and Darla Barrows for their work on this grant.
School Office: 613-850-4797
Email: admin@greatriverschool.net
2310 Virginia Drive, Ottawa ON K1H 6S2
Parent and Child with Margo Bisson Priority Registration for Fall Term 2013 will begin on May 27th. Registration for new families will open on June 14th. To place your name on the waiting list, please contact the school office at admin@greatriverschool.net
Apple Blossom Mornings for Preschoolers
Beginning this summer, Apple Blossom Mornings will be offered at the Just Food Organic Farm. Mornings will include nature walks and puppetry on the 100 acre wooded urban farm, visits to the frog pond, gentle crafts, and organic gardening. For more information or to register,
contact: Darla Barrows at appleblossom@greatriverschool.net
Great River School families at the Brewer Park Community Garden in Old Ottawa South
