Special Subjects Second Grade

Eurythmy

In grade two we hear animal stories related to the main lesson curriculum. We go more deeply into the themes initiated in grade one, but now the exercises become more complicated, the stories longer and the choreographies more elaborate. The mood of the fifth interval is still dominant in tone eurythmy, and we continue to practice the circle and straight line. We begin working on exercises that involve two children moving around a point or from point to point. The same happens in tone eurythmy, with little dances in two circles. Agility exercises strengthen the children and help them find their place in the group. The experience of the seasons also plays a big part in the lesson.

Movement – Air

In grade two we continue to develop the skills introduced in grade one, though the theme changes to a weaving in and out of the circle of the “we”. The class continues with singing and imagination-based circle exercises and games, but the addition of movements to the spoken word develops a sense of right and left, above and below, front and back. Drawing from the main lesson curriculum, we work with animal themes and the movements of noble human beings. The children begin pre-tumbling and tumbling exercises and learn the Spacial Dynamics exercise “the sundial”. They are also encouraged to develop their own games and to introduce them to the class. Free play is still a vital part of the curriculum. In grade two the children are more attuned to the world and can be more individually reactive.

Gardening

Second grade gardening activities emphasize cooperative working among the children. Tasks are light and simple, and for our work we receive something from the garden in return. The games we make of our work provide the structure to follow instructions, work well with classmates and work safely with tools. We often end the gardening period in observation or imaginative play. The children may choose to hunt for insects and lizards or build fairy and gnome homes.

During the rainy season the children make garden-related crafts, such as handmade paper, leaf mosaics, flowerpot bells, corn necklaces and potpourri bags. Another special task is making and delivering flower bouquets around campus, to share with others the joy and beauty of the garden.

The two primary aspects of gardening lessons are to give the children a basic understanding of and respect for nature and to learn how to work together socially. Working in the garden provides an opportunity to develop an innate, harmonious sense of being at home on this Earth. It gives the children living examples of many of their class studies; in the garden their lessons can become practical, daily experiences. Working and caring for a piece of land together unites the children and creates a social feeling. Through their work they feel that each contribution they make to the garden is a link in a long chain of others’ contributions and work. They learn to work for the love of work, for others, and for the sake of the whole rather than for personal gain; this gives them a basis for building true community.

Spanish

As in grade one, the experience of Spanish language in grade two is completely oral. Through gestures, mime, songs, poems, rhymes, games and drama, the children learn vocabulary as their ears become even more accustomed to the new sounds. The second grade child has a growing awareness of the social function of language and therefore we individualize the dialogues. The basic story material consists of fables, legends and stories of saints.

The Spanish lesson has a three-part rhythmical organization that begins with an opening verse, a riddle and a song, usually with movement. The middle portion of the lesson requires more concentration, and we play games that require listening, dialogue and interaction. The lesson ends with a story, song or poem that again involves movement. The children learn numbers 1 to 100, body parts, colors, clothing, the home and its parts, months, weeks, days, animals, the seasons and personal information. Also they learn by heart a variety of poems, songs and riddles.

Handwork

In second grade we continue to deepen our experience of knitting. The students learn to cast on, bind off, change colors, add and decrease stitches, purl and sew up their projects. They learn such new skills as the garter and stockinnette stitches and changing colors to create a pattern. We focus most of the year on knitting the rainbow-colored flute case. To strengthen the multiplication process, students learn that two rows make one ridge, and each color must have the same number of ridges. To figure out how many rows to knit before changing colors, they have to multiply the remaining ridges times two. They are always excited to start the next rainbow color. For the extra knitting project of the year, the children choose from a large selection of farm or wild animals, or a little gnome.