Waldorf Block: G1: First Grade Handwork
Waldorf first grade handwork introduces young students to the rewarding world of textile arts, specifically knitting, fostering holistic development and laying a strong foundation for future learning. More than just a craft, handwork in Waldorf education is carefully designed to support the developmental stage of the six and seven-year-old child. The rhythmic motions of knitting engage both hemispheres of the brain, strengthening fine motor skills essential for writing, enhancing concentration, and promoting hand-eye coordination. This practice also cultivates patience, perseverance, and problem-solving abilities. This includes the new e-book “First Grade Arts & Crafts for the Waldorf Year” which supplies crafts and stories to go with them for the entire year as well as the e-books “Natural Gifts for Kids to Make”, and many more first grade Waldorf handwork activities! This year we will learn finger-crochet, finger-knitting, knitting, sewing, felting, and much more!
Waldorf First Grade Handwork: A Foundation for Lifelong Learning and Creativity
Waldorf first grade handwork introduces young students to the rewarding world of textile arts, specifically knitting, fostering holistic development and laying a strong foundation for future learning.
More than just a craft, handwork in Waldorf education is carefully designed to support the developmental stage of the six and seven-year-old child. The rhythmic motions of knitting engage both hemispheres of the brain, strengthening fine motor skills essential for writing, enhancing concentration, and promoting hand-eye coordination. This practice also cultivates patience, perseverance, and problem-solving abilities.
Key elements of Earthschooling Waldorf first grade handwork include:
- Learning to Knit: Students begin with the fundamental knit stitch, progressing to casting on and casting off. The "criss-cross" movement of the knitting needles at heart level is believed to promote healthy brain development.
- Pre-Knitting Activities: Children may engage in activities like finger knitting, finger crochet, winding wool, and braiding to prepare for knitting.
- Simple Projects: The curriculum includes projects such as knitted animals (often transforming a basic knitted square into a three-dimensional creature), recorder cases, and rainbow balls, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
- Natural Materials: Waldorf education prioritizes using natural, high-quality materials like wool, promoting an appreciation for the earth's gifts and sustainable practices.
- Building Confidence and Joy: Through engaging and achievable projects, handwork instills a sense of "I can do it!" and fosters a lifelong love for crafting and creating.
Benefits of Earthschooling Waldorf First Grade Handwork extend beyond the classroom:
- Improved Brain Development: Knitting's cross-body movements strengthen the connection between brain hemispheres, supporting cognitive development and preparing children for higher learning.
- Enhanced Numeracy Skills: Counting stitches, following patterns, and creating shapes provides practical experience with mathematical concepts.
- Cultivating Patience and Resilience: Handwork teaches children the value of perseverance and helps them navigate challenges, building resilience in the face of setbacks.
- Nurturing Creativity and Imagination: Students are encouraged to explore color, texture, and form, unleashing their artistic expression and fostering a love for creative endeavors.
Children develop valuable skills, cultivate their inner capacities, and experience the joy of creating something beautiful and useful with their own hands by engaging in Waldorf first grade handwork.
This includes the new e-book “First Grade Arts & Crafts for the Waldorf Year” which supplies crafts and stories to go with them for the entire year as well as the e-books “Natural Gifts for Kids to Make”, and many more first grade Waldorf handwork activities! This year we will learn finger-crochet, finger-knitting, knitting, sewing, felting, and much more!
Your Instructor
A class designated as being taught by The BEarth Institute may involve multiple teachers. You can learn more about all of our teachers here: https://earthschooling.info/thebearthinstitute/about-us/gallery-3/
Classes that involve multiple teachers are as follows:
- Preschool & Kindergarten: Amy Cho and Safia Mandil (Stories, Crafts, and Circle Time)
- First Grade: Mellie Lonneman & Nicole Martinez (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Diane Power, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Michelle Prindle, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Second Grade: Mellie Lonneman & Simone Blanchard (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Diane Power, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Third Grade: Mellie Lonneman & Amy Williams & Joy Cowburn (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Fourth Grade: Mellie Lonneman & Nicole Martinez (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Fifth Grade: Nicholas Andrea (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, Catherine Allegretti, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Sixth Grade: Nicholas Andrea (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, Robyn Beaufoy, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Seventh Grade: Stephanie Packer & Danielle Gair (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, Catherine Allegretti, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Eighth Grade: Nicholas Andrea (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Ninth Grade: Stephanie Packer, Natasha Sherwood, Kerry Burke, Dr. Chris Deason, Danielle Gair, Nicholas Andrea (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Dan Prindle, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Tenth Grade: Rachel Solt, Stephanie Packer, Natasha Sherwood, Kerry Burke, Dr. Chris Deason, Danielle Gair, Nicholas Andrea (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Michelle Prindle, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Eleventh Grade: Stephanie Packer, Danielle Gair, Mohsina Mandil (Main Lessons) & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
- Twelfth Grade: Stephanie Packer, Mohsina Mandil & Mellie Lonneman, Rick Tan, Janet Walker, Megan Hammer, Cynthia Hansen, Brian Wolfe, and Kristie Burns (Music, Art, Handwork & Eurythmy)
Course Curriculum
First Grade Handwork Lessons
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
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StartIntroduction
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StartWritten Lessons for First Grade Handwork Block: Block Format
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StartLesson One: How to Make a Crayon Wrap (9:00)
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StartLesson Two: Window Stars (5:05)
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StartLesson Three: Poinsettia Craft (11:21)
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StartLesson Four: Holiday Ornament Making (4:23)
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StartLesson Five: Making a Goose from Clay (2:31)
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StartLesson Six: Making a Modeling Clay Star (3:40)
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StartLesson Seven: Making a Modeling Clay Gnome (3:31)
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StartLesson Eight: Making a Modeling Clay Heart (1:51)
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StartLesson Nine: Making a Modeling Clay Beaver (2:26)
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StartLesson Ten: Making a Bird and a Nest (3:54)
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StartLesson Eleven: Making a Clay Shell (2:20)
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StartLesson Twelve: Making Story Characters with Clay (1:11)
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StartLesson Thirteen: Sewing Stars (28:20)
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StartLesson Fourteen: Wet Felting a Pumpkin (16:22)
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StartLesson Fifteen: 3D Felted Balls and Acorns (19:42)
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StartLesson Sixteen: Introduction to Beeswax Modeling (18:08)
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StartLesson Seventeen: Basics of Finger-Knitting (2:54)
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StartLesson Eighteen: Finger-Knit Flowers (8:44)
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StartLesson Nineteen: How to Knit (Make a Rabbit, Rectangle, Learn Basics) (20:29)
First Grade Handwork from Teacher Safia Mandil
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
First Grade Supplemental Art Lessons
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
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StartWritten Lessons for First Grade Art Block: Block Format (18:08)
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StartLesson One: String Game Story (3:33)
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StartLesson Two: Block Crayon Drawing: Part 1: Lesson 1: Block Crayon Basics: Lines & Shapes (15:34)
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StartLesson Three: Block Crayon Drawing: Part 1: Lesson 2: Primary Colors & Drawing People (13:44)
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StartLesson Four: Block Crayon Drawing: Part 1: Lesson 3: Animal Forms & The Alphabet (10:19)
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StartLesson Five: Block Crayon Drawing: Part 1: Lesson 4: Beginning Landscapes & Buildings (11:57)
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StartLesson Six: Block Crayon Drawing: Part 2: Lesson 2A: The Color Wheel, Blending, and Problem Solving (19:01)
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StartLesson Seven: Wet-on-Wet Watercolor: Part 1 (20:44)
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StartLesson Eight: Yellow Wash Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting (6:03)
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StartLesson Nine: A Watercolor Story for Yellow and Blue (5:36)
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StartLesson Ten: A Watercolor Story for Blue and Yellow (6:54)
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StartLesson Eleven: A Pretty Pumpkin Painting (7:53)
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StartLesson Twelve: Fire Watercolor Painting (8:02)
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StartLesson Thirteen: 3 Friends Watercolor Painting (6:20)
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StartLesson Fourteen: A Starry Sky Painting (6:17)
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StartLesson Fifteen: How to Make a Lantern (9:31)
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StartLesson Sixteen: Giant Ruby Watercolor Painting (6:05)
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StartLesson Seventeen: Winter Snowflake Painting (4:01)
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StartLesson Eighteen: Cherry Blossom Painting (3:11)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.