The Class Four Child

straight stitch class 4In Class 4, when the pupils are 10 years old, the mid-way point of the class teacher years is reached. The transition from early childhood is complete, the transition towards puberty has not yet begun. This centre-point of the class teaching period coincides with the middle of the second seven-year period of life, and is referred to in Steiner Waldorf pedagogy as the ‘heart of childhood.’

The self-activity of the child brings about a harmonising of the relationship of the breathing to the blood circulation.

Confidence in their new state is expressed in a quality of vigour and an eagerness to look at and learn about the world. A start is made on natural science with a phenomenological study of the animal kingdom in relation to the human being from a morphological point of view. Also a thorough study of the local surrounding and developing the process of map-making.

The aim of Class 4 is first and foremost to channel positively the powerful energy which ten year-olds bring to the classroom. Pupils need to be challenged and stretched in every possible aspect of their work. “Work, work and lots of it” is the best motto for Class 4.
class four

Class Four Main Lessons
  • Norse Myths, creative writing - English
  • Making Sure of Maths 4 processes - Maths
  • History of Handwriting - English, HSIE, Science & Technology
  • Norse Myths, Comprehension - English
  • Measurement, mass & volume - Maths
  • Local Aboriginal History - HSIE
  • Writing,- Chapter Book - Maths
  • Fractions - Maths
  • Zoology - Science and Technology
  • Long division and multiplication - Maths
  • White settlement of Australia - HSIE
  • Play - English, Creative Arts
Middle & Afternoon lesson overview download here (18kb)