These lectures were given by Eugene Schwartz at Essential Conferences in Mancos, CO, or Kimberton, PA. They are addressed, first and foremost, to Waldorf teachers about to embark on teaching this grade, but they have been applied to home schooling situations with equal success. Although each lecture is meant to be of immediate practical help to teachers in real-life classrooms, they also emphasize the importance of permeating lessons with a firm anthroposophical foundation. The motto of the Essential Conferences is "Know What. Know How. Know Why" and we believe that these three imperatives live in these lectures.
We strongly recommend that you also order CD # 313, "The Elements of Grade Four," to view examples of student work from Grade Four classes.
218: Developmental Challenges in Grade Four
In this introductory lecture Eugene examines in detail the volatile interplay of etheric and astral forces that underlie the challenges facing all fourth graders. He explores the difference between “temperament” and “personality,” and examines their importance in the constitution of the classroom. This is an essential lecture for the parent of a ten year-old or for anyone taking on a fourth grade class.
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219: Mathematics in Grade Four 1
A thorough review of the arithmetic learned in grades one to three is an essential basis for approaching fractions. Eugene discusses "secret numbers" and factoring as ways of enlivening this review.
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220: Mathematics in Grade Four 2
Fractions are approached pictorially, of course, but the purely numerical aspect of fractions is also of great importance. Fourth graders are crossing the threshold from arithmetic to mathematics and they must be given all the help we can muster to make this crossing.
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221: Norse Myths in Grade Four 1
The rollicking power and sheer intensity of the Norse myths makes them the perfect "objective correlative" to the nature of the fourth grader. In this lecture we explore the Norse creation story and meet the gods, in particular the triad of Odin, Thor, and Loki, examining their significance for the developing ten year-old.
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222: Norse Myths in Grade Four 2
The second part of the study of Norse myths takes on a more solemn, even tragic tone. Loki's cleverness becomes more malicious, and the schemes he convinced the gods to adopt now come back to haunt them. How can we lead fourth graders into these ambivalent tales?
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