WALDOR F S CHOOLof GARDEN CITY

7th & 8th GRADE PR

OGRAM

WALDOR F S CHOOLof GARDEN CITY

225 C amb r i d g e A v e n u eGa r d e n C i t y, N Y 1 1 5 3 0

wa l d o r f m i d d l e s c h o o l . o r g | 5 1 6 - 7 4 2 - 3 4 3 4

Who We AreWE GUIDE STUDENTS TOWARDS BECOMING CREATIVE, SELF-PROPELLED,

AND PASSIONATE THROUGH FACULTY COLLABORATION.

Founded in 1947, the Waldorf School of Garden Cityoffers an engaging, hands-on,and academically rigorousmiddle school curriculum.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Waldorf School of Garden Cityeducates children to meet the world with purpose, gratitudeand respect. Our curriculum,inspired by Rudolf Steiner, pro-gresses in accordance with childdevelopment, awakening studentsto the experience of knowledge,strengthening their sense ofmoral responsibility, and empow-ering them to act with courageand conviction. The School’s aimis to graduate a diverse group ofyoung people distinguished bythe scope and acuity of theirminds as well as the depth andintegrity of their character.

Working as a team, our middleschool faculty integrates theHumanities, Science, Math andArt curricula based on mainthemes, using field trips, art andcraft projects, scientific studies,as well as theatrical and musicalperformances.

INTEGRATED LEARNING

Our AimThe challeges of our worlddemand that future leaders beunconstrained by disciplinaryboundaries and linear solutionsto complex problems. Our class-es prepare graduates for 21st-century leadership. Education inits truest sense comes not fromknowing the right answers butfrom learning how to ask insight-ful questions. Classroom discus-sions are vibrant and engaging.Our faculty are experts in theirfields—innovative educatorswho are willing mentors and lifelong learners.

2 | www.waldorfmiddleschool.org 516-742-3434 | 7

AthleticsWE VALUE THE CAMARADERIE OF TEAMMATES, THE OPPORTUNITY

TO LEARN FROM COACHES & SHARING OUR VIBRANT, SCHOOL SPIRIT.

At the Waldorf School of GardenCity, the ideal of the well-roundedstudent athlete is consistent withthe highest levels of athletics andacademic success.

Throughout the School's history, its studentathletes and teams have met that uniquechallenge, demonstrating that academicand athletic excellence complement each other.

THE PROGRAMThe Athletics program at our School aimsto enrich the life of the whole person.We are invested in competitive excellenceas we challenge ourstudent-athletes todevelop into theirbest selves as ath-letes, teammates,students, and ulti-mately, citizens ofthe world. As ath-letes, they embodyphysical strength

and learn the value of movement whileincorporating healthy activity and habitsinto their lives.

PSAAOur school is a member of the PrivateSchool Athletic Association (PSAA). ThePSAA includes a highly desirable group ofcommitted schools that seek excellence inathletics while holding the student-athleteand the school's academic mission as thecenter of focus.

We are committed to teaching studentshow to work collaboratively, embracediversity, persevere through challengeswith resilience, and compete with integrity.Over the years, our school's athletic pro-gram has received numerous honors,awards, and championships

In addition to the varsity sports program,we support a wide range of extracurricularprograms, including those that presentsignificant opportunities for recreationalparticipation.

6 | www.waldorfmiddleschool.org 516-742-3434 | 3

CurriculumWE INTEGRATE LEARNING IN A HANDS-ON, MEANINGFUL WAY TO ENGAGE

STUDENTS WITH THE CURRICULUM AND THE WORLD.

MAIN LESSONS

In the 7th Grade, students explore ancient Asia, thebeauty of Italian Renaissance art, and the excitement ofdiscovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. The sciencecurriculum includes the study of fire, acids and bases inChemistry, as well as learning how the human bodyfunction in Physiology. They see perfection inMathematics, discover the use of machines in Physicsand experience the magic of the imagination throughcreative writing.

In the 8th Grade, students study the economic history of Africa, and stories of uprisings for change inRevolutions and American History. Platonic Solids allowsfor the creation of forms while Physics includes explo-ration of hydraulics and aerodynamics. Chemistryincludes the study of carbohydrates, proteins and fats,and Anatomy introduces the skeletal and muscular sys-tems. The 8th Grade Play is a final creative project forthe whole class.

> Asian Geography> Renaissance History> Exploration and Discovery> Chemistry> Physiology> Algebra> Geometry> Physics> Creative Writing

FIELD TRIPS

Main lessons are enrichedwith field trips, such as a sailon the Hudson RiverClearwater Sloop. The students help raise the sailson a traditional sailing shipand learn about the river’swonders and cultural signifi-cance. Other local tripsinclude Hempstead Plainsand the Theodore RooseveltNature Center at JonesBeach, where students learnabout local eco-systems andparticipate in community service projects.

Renaissance Main Lesson: avisit to the MetropolitanMuseum of Art

Life Science: HempsteadPlains Preserve, Jones BeachBay Walk and the New YorkBotanical Gardens

Physics: New York Hall ofScience

7th GradeAmerican History: ColdHarbor Whaling Museum, theAfrican American Museum andthe New York Historical Society

Physics: Cradle of AviationMuseum

Life Science: ThimbleIsland/Long Island Sound andShelter Island

8th Grade

7th Grade

> African Geography> Revolutions> American History> Platonic Solids> Chemistry> Physics> Anatomy> 8th grade Play

8th Grade

The ArtsWE CELEBRATE THE EXPERIENTIAL ARTS

DISPLAYED ON WALLS, IN SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES.

Learning through doing and learning through making are twin aspects of thesame fundamental attitude towards education that permeate our curriculum.Students participate in a full complement of artistic classes in theatre, music,fine arts, woodworking and fiber arts.

› Eurythmy› Perspective Drawing› Soap Stone Carving: Animals› Class Play› Chorus, Recorder› Orchestra› Circus arts› Felting› Shoemaking

7th Grade

› Eurythmy› Watercolor Painting› Drawing› Sculpture/Modeling› Sewing Simple Clothing using Machines› Class Play› Chorus› Orchestra› Circus Arts

8th Grade

4 | www.waldorfmiddleschool.org 516-742-3434 | 5

WEEKLY RHYTHM

Students begin the day with movement,

speech and Main Lesson, followed by daily

academic classes and by weekly opportunities

to immerse themselves in craft, art, music and

environmental studies. Shared social activites

for 7th & 8th grade students also include

meals, recreation and discussion groups.

COMING OF AGE

It is a Waldorf tradition to offer a comingof age experience for our 7th and 8thgrade students. The transition from child-hood to adulthood is a significant step-ping-stone in everyone’s life. It definesone’s movement toward adulthood andthe corresponding awakening to a newunderstanding of oneself and the world.This program includes one week of spe-cial programming for the 8th grade atGlen Brook.

GLEN BROOK

As an educational facility of The Waldorf School of Garden City, Glen Brook welcomesgrades 3-12 every year. These week-long programs dovetail Waldorf Education with GlenBrook's unique offerings. In the middle school, Glen Brook supports both the science andhistory curriculum through the follwing activities:

> Integrated Physical Science and Life Science supporting environmental awareness

> Math Classes Daily: Pre-Algebra and Algebra

> Literature and Language Arts daily

> Library Science and technology classes each week

> World language study: German and French

> Eurythmy, Movement and Physical Education in morning classes

> Gardening classes each week

> MS Sports Teams: Soccer, Basketball, Softball

> Shared lunch and recreation periods for 7th and 8th grade classes

> Leadership class each week: current events, community service and debate

> Craft, Fiber, Wood and Fine Art classes twice each week

> Chorus and Orchestra classes twice each week

7th & 8th GRADE WEEKLY COURSEWORK

OVERVIEWOrientation: In the first week of school, the7th and 8th grade classes discuss summerreading, share meals, play games and enjoy afall sail on the Clearwater Sloop.

Group Meetings: Guest speakers, theSchool’s social worker and various teacherslead class meetings and small group discussions surrounding the myraid issuesfaced by adolescence.

8th Grade Coming of Age Trip: The 8thgrade girls and boys spend a week at GlenBrook, engaging the body and the will througha variety of activities. The goal of this week isto empower students to maintain respectfulrelationships and to make healthy choicesusing their growing skills and capacities.

Mechanics: Students lift heavy objectsusing levers, pulleys, and fulcrums; theyhoist each other to the ceiling of the barnin a “bosun’s chair;” and have an introduc-tory experience on the high ropes course,which focuses on an introduction to bothmechanics and group social dynamics.

7th Grade

Colonial American History: Studentslive and learn the diverse activities thatmade up life in colonial New England –from maple sugaring (at the Camp’s sug-arhouse), to stone wall building, wood-work and construction technique, andhandicrafts.

8th Grade