Professional development for Waldorf teachers and home school parents. Read all about Summer Series 2024.
Taught remotely in real-time, this course offers you an invaluable opportunity to focus entirely on your upcoming second grade school year in five days brimming with presentations, discussions, and practical activities.
Under the guidance of an experienced class teacher, you’ll discover ways to enliven your teaching and how to approach the blocks so that they may meet the second grader in a meaningful and lively way. With the insights of anthroposophy, gleaned through a discussion of child development focusing specifically on your class’s age group, you will get to know the second grade child in depth.
Along with time and space to consider and hone your skills in such practical matters as main lesson books, block planning, projects and activities, and classroom management, your course will include such key topics for second graders—and their teachers—as:
- Multicultural approaches to saints and/or heroes block/s
- Topics in language arts and class plays
- Topics in math
- Second grade approach to science and gardening
- Second grade approach to social studies and festival life
- Second grade morning circle
- Second grade assessment
- Parent work and colleagueship
These subjects will be supported by explorations in art and music, giving you practical tools to take into your school year. In addition, you’ll gain many valuable opportunities for building connections among a community of parallel colleagues from across the country to carry with you throughout your teaching. And participation in an anthroposophical study undertaken in common with all Grades participants will help enable you to build bridges between colleagues and parents once you return to your school.
Grade-specific resource materials, such as poems, songs, stories, and main lesson book ideas, will be provided electronically.
NOTE: This course is taught with the expectation that you have a foundational background in Waldorf education.
Lead Instructor
Suchi Swift was a class teacher for many years at Green Meadow Waldorf School, where she sat on the collegium and served as lower school chair. Suchi began her teaching career in the New York City public school system in 2002, and after eight years working across a variety of grades decided to pursue Waldorf education professionally. Prior to joining Green Meadow, she taught at New Amsterdam School and The Brooklyn Waldorf School. Suchi earned her BA from Sarah Lawrence College, her MS in education from Hunter College, and her elementary teaching certificate from Sunbridge.
Previous Summer Series participants had this to say about Suchi and Approaching Grade Two:
- Suchi was a wonderful instructor, and she provided a lot of very practical tips and ideas.
- The course exceeded my expectations from the standpoint of leaving me feeling excited and inspired to start planning out my year. The main highlight for me was the sharing of the idea that we should trust ourselves and the decisions that we make.
- Suchi is such a wonderful teacher. She is so generous of heart and willing to share so much with us. I also appreciated her thoughtfulness so that she was able to answer questions satisfactorily.
- She presented all the subject matter clearly and straight forwardly, with a flow that was easy to follow. I was mostly impressed with the creativity, joy, and fun with which she approached every lesson.
- Suchi’s classes were upbeat, focused and informative. Her comfort with the material she presented made me feel like I could take it on and implement her creative and fun strategies.
- There was an excellent balance of teacher led discussion, breakout groups, hands on practice, and reflection.
- This course was rich with ideas, stories, songs, activities that I can bring to my classroom. It surpassed my expectations. The main highlights for me were getting a good idea of what my days are going to look like, all the resources given, talking with the other teachers, and feeling supported.
- Suchi is very knowledgeable about teaching language arts to children. I like that she modeled the movement and singing exercises.
- Suchi did a beautiful job presenting us with the information we need to know to be successful teaching second grade.
- Suchi was an energetic speaker who brought a lot of perspective and engaging activities to the forefront. Thoroughly enjoyed and valued our time with her.
- Suchi did a wonderful job of diving deep into topics. She stayed on task, despite the varied questions that came in. She was responsive, inclusive, playful and still professional. This class blew fresh wind into my sails.
- Suchi and Kelly provided some great insights and useful resources. I appreciated the conversation with Meggan Gill. The amount and quality of resources available in the google classroom is wonderful.
- Kelly is an awesome instructor. I enjoy watching her demonstrations and the portal is such a great resource!
- WOW! I have learned so much.
- Suchi is unbelievable. I wish I could do my training with her every summer. What an amazing wealth of knowledge and understanding.
- The class wasn’t just an overview of 2nd grade. It also renewed my connection to why I teach. I’m leaving inspired to start another year!
Your course also includes sessions in art with Kelly Beekman and music with Katey Dolezal.
Schedule
This course takes place July 7-12 in a synchronous online classroom. ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN (NY) TIME ZONE.
Sunday evening
6:15 pm-6:25 pm: Log-in for technical check-in and attendance
6:30 pm-8:15 pm: First session
Monday – Thursday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log-in for technical check-in and attendance
Sessions run from 10:00 am through 4:45-5:00 pm, with time for breaks and lunch
Friday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log-in for technical check-in and attendance
Sessions run from 10:00 am through 1:30 pm, with a mid-morning break
Note: Most sessions are required in order to receive a certificate of attendance. Others, such as Q&A sessions with your lead instructor and studio time with your art and music instructors, are optional. Participants should be prepared to work on course-related assignments outside of their regularly scheduled instructional sessions (including some that may be assigned in advance). Complete schedules will be sent two weeks before your course start date, along with a list of materials you will need to procure for use during your course.
Cost
$615 includes all resource materials, pre-recorded music and movement lessons, yearlong access to your Grade Two Google Classroom and Kelly Beekman’s art portal, and a $55 non-refundable registration fee.
25% discount for:
- Students currently enrolled in a Sunbridge teacher education program
- Sunbridge program graduates
- Payments made in Canadian dollars
Accounts must be in good standing and discounts may not be combined. Qualification for discounts will be verified by Sunbridge staff.
Questions?
Please contact Barbara Vitale, admissions and summer coordinator, at [email protected] or 845-425-0055 x20
Sunbridge reserves the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary. See registration form for refund policy.
