Waldorf Block: G7: Seventh Grade Handwork
In the Waldorf seventh grade, handwork moves beyond basic knitting and crocheting to engage students in projects that resonate with their developing intellect and emotional life. The focus shifts to more complex techniques and artistic expression, preparing students for meaningful work and a deeper connection with the world around them.
Earthschooling Waldorf Seventh Grade Handwork Block: Felting & Soft Sculpture for Developing Adolescents
In the Waldorf seventh grade, handwork moves beyond basic knitting and crocheting to engage students in projects that resonate with their developing intellect and emotional life. The focus shifts to more complex techniques and artistic expression, preparing students for meaningful work and a deeper connection with the world around them.
Key Aspects of the Earthschooling Seventh Grade Handwork Block:
- Felting: Students learn the ancient art of felting, exploring its history and varied uses. They experience the transformation of raw wool into durable, three-dimensional objects like slippers. This process requires both strength and delicacy, helping students refine their motor skills and develop a tactile sensitivity that aids in navigating the physical changes of adolescence.
- Soft Sculpture & Doll-making: Doll-making in the seventh grade allows students to explore the human form through soft sculpture, requiring fine hand-sewing skills learned in earlier grades. This project fosters creative expression and supports their study of human physiology.
- Design & Patternmaking: Students may design bags with firm bottoms or simple articles of clothing, requiring them to work out patterns and develop their ability to translate ideas into tangible forms. This process reinforces mathematical understanding and planning skills.
- Material Exploration: The block emphasizes working with natural materials like wool, felt, and leather, promoting an appreciation for the environment and the crafts themselves.
Educational Benefits:
- Refinement of Fine Motor Skills and Dexterity: Handwork activities like felting and hand-sewing continue to build upon the fine motor skills developed in earlier grades.
- Cognitive Development: Focusing on intricate projects fosters concentration, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning.
- Emotional and Social Growth: The handwork block nurtures self-confidence, patience, and perseverance as students work to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Working collaboratively on projects also promotes social interaction and respect for others' work.
- Integration with Other Subjects: Handwork complements studies in history (e.g., the Age of Exploration through crafting, or Renaissance art), science (e.g., human physiology through doll-making), and math (e.g., pattern recognition, geometry).
Why Waldorf Handwork is Important:
Waldorf handwork is considered essential to the curriculum because it provides a holistic approach to education, nurturing the "head, heart, and hands". The rhythmic movements and focused concentration involved offer a sense of calm and mindfulness, while the experience of transforming raw materials fosters a connection to the natural world. Handwork builds self-reliance and prepares students to engage in meaningful work throughout their lives.
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
Seventh Grade Handwork Lessons
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
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StartIntroduction to Seventh Grade Handwork
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StartWritten Lessons for Seventh Grade Handwork
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StartBonus Videos for Seventh Grade Handwork Block (115:37)
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StartLesson One: Beginning Clay Work and Sculpture (21:01)
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StartLesson Two: Making a Goose or Bird Out of Modeling Clay (2:31)
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StartLesson Three: Making a Bird and Nest (3:54)
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StartLesson Four: Making a Modeling Clay Star(fish) (3:40)
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StartLesson Five: Making a Modeling Clay Beaver (2:26)
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StartLesson Six: Woodworking Review (73:33)
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StartLesson Seven: Woodcarving Lessons (42:04)
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StartLesson Eight: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 1 (52:11)
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StartLesson Nine: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 2 (57:16)
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StartLesson Ten: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 3 (40:27)
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StartLesson Eleven: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 4 (23:05)
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StartLesson Twelve: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 5 (11:12)
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StartLesson Thirteen: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 6 (38:57)
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StartLesson Fourteen: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 7 (31:45)
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StartLesson Fifteen: Making a Waldorf Doll: Part 8 (18:58)
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StartLesson Sixteen: Making a Felted Vegetable (16:22)
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StartLesson Seventeen: Introduction to Needle Felting (22:01)
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StartLesson Eighteen: Needle Felting the Solar System (28:08)
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StartLesson Nineteen: Sewing an Embroidered Needle Case: Part 1A (12:26)
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StartLesson Twenty: Sewing an Embroidered Needle Case: Part 1B (3:50)
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StartLesson Twenty-One: Sewing an Embroidered Needle Case: Part 2 (15:23)
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StartLesson Twenty-Two: Sewing an Embroidered Needle Case: Part 3A (6:31)
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StartLesson Twenty-Three: Sewing an Embroidered Needle Case: Part 3B (2:28)
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StartLesson Twenty-Four: Cross Stitching a Pin Cushion: Introduction
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StartLesson Twenty-Five: Cross Stitching a Pin Cushion: Lesson 1 (18:21)
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StartLesson Twenty-Six: Cross Stitching a Pin Cushion: Lesson 2 (14:51)
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StartLesson Twenty-Seven: Cross Stitching a Pin Cushion: Lesson 3 (19:33)
Seventh Grade Supplemental Art Lessons
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
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StartIntroduction to Seventh Grade Art
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StartWritten Lessons for Seventh Grade Art Block (43:44)
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StartLesson One: Black and White Drawing of a Sphere with Highlights and Shadow (25:29)
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StartLesson Two: Black and White Drawing of a Bowl on Table (22:49)
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StartLesson Three: Black and White Drawing of a Tulip Flower (22:25)
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StartLesson Four: Seventh Grade Black and White Drawing Lessons: Portraits (16:43)
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StartLesson Five: Seventh Grade Art Main Lesson: 1-Point Perspective (22:14)
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StartLesson Six: Seventh Grade Art Main Lesson: 2-Point Perspective (24:01)
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StartLesson Seven: Seventh Grade Art Main Lesson: 3-Point Perspective (24:40)
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StartLesson Eight: Seventh Grade Art Main Lesson: Atmospheric Perspective: Part 1 (24:24)
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StartLesson Nine: Seventh Grade Art Main Lesson: Atmospheric Perspective: Part 2 (23:19)
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.