Waldorf Block: G1: First Grade Math

• Experiential Learning: Math is introduced through movement, music, stories, art, and hands-on activities. This multi-sensory approach helps children visualize and internalize concepts, making learning enjoyable and meaningful.
• Focus on the "Quality of Numbers": Instead of just focusing on quantity, students explore the qualitative aspects of numbers, like the idea of "oneness" and "twoness," connecting these concepts to the world around them.
• Introduction to the Four Processes: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are introduced through imaginative stories, often featuring characters representing each operation. This approach allows children to understand the relationships between the processes in a creative and engaging way.
• Emphasis on Skip Counting and Rhythmic Counting: Children develop number fluency and memorize math facts through rhythmic activities like clapping, jumping rope, and reciting verses.
• Form Drawing and Freehand Geometry: Students begin to explore the world of geometry by learning to draw various forms. This helps them develop a sense of balance, order, and spatial relationships.
• No Textbooks or Workbooks: Instead of relying on textbooks, teachers present lessons in engaging ways, and students create their own main lesson books with notes, drawings, and illustrations, actively engaging in the learning process.
• Developing a Growth Mindset: Waldorf classrooms foster a supportive environment where students are encouraged to explore different problem-solving strategies, discuss their thinking with peers, and learn from mistakes, reducing math anxiety and building confidence.

• Developing a strong sense of number and understanding number relationships.
• Counting and skip counting fluently up to 100.
• Introduction to the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
• Learning basic math facts up to 20.
• Learning to write numbers up to 100 and Roman numerals.
• Form drawing and introduction to freehand geometry.

Waldorf math in First Grade aims to cultivate a love for learning and problem-solving, setting the stage for a rich and meaningful mathematical journey throughout their education.

Living Lessons are video lessons where a teacher leads the class through the main lessons for this grade. You can use these lessons as examples to follow for your own teaching or can use them as supplements to your own teaching (we all need a break now and then. I would have loved to have these available on days I was ill or was taking care of my fussy baby).

Join Waldorf teachers Mellie and Nicole on a wonderful math adventure! This block includes “The Basics of Waldorf Math”, “Sixth Sense Math” (First Grade Math Waldorf Style with Extras), and access to all the Main Lesson Book pages for first grade math. You will learn how to teach the four processes of math through traditional gnome stories and original Earthschooling stories, explore numbers and math in a natural and deep sense and much more. This is our most popular lesson block.