Why Waldorf Math Works
A common misconception of Waldorf education is that it lacks academic rigor. While people may recognize Waldorf schools as nice places or cute little communities where the kids draw and sing a lot, they often perceive activities that promote artistic creativity or physical movement as having no real connection to learning outcomes. In reality, the opposite is true. As the included article details, Waldorf schools intentionally approach learning as the result of well-rounded, differentiated instruction designed to provide multiple access points for students.
An even more common refrain from both members of the Waldorf community and members of the outside community is that the Waldorf approach to education would not work and is not possible in a public-school setting. In fact, it is not only possible for this approach to be used in public schools, the result of focusing on the student rather than teaching to the test is that students are better prepared and outperform others on those very tests.
Rather than alternative, Waldorf education is perhaps more mainstream than perceptions would suggest. If, indeed, the purpose of education is to grow young minds capable of achieving great success, then the Waldorf approach gets us closer to that goal than many “traditional” frameworks.
Math, like all subjects at UVWS, is taught in a multi-sensory way, bringing math to the students through their experience of “thinking, feeling, and will.”
We teach through “thinking” when the concepts have been developed through pictures enough that students can calculate and solve problems with numbers and rely on their thinking, using strategies of their own to support their problem solving. We activate the “feeling” in children when we tell a number story that requires mental calculation, or draw a picture that illustrates a math concept, before we move to simply abstract number algorithms. When they can picture a concept and have a feeling of joy, or awe, or an "Aha!" experience, that supports learning and builds enthusiasm and interest. Learning through the “will” would be the kinesthetic aspect of learning – the jumping rope and hand clapping games while verbally speaking times tables, for example. This helps build a kind of muscle memory for the mind.
UVWS is a gift, both for us and for our children. This gift of an educational system that is child-focused produces students not only capable of the highest levels of academic success but also kind, happy, joyous young people who view their school community as a supportive, nurturing environment where they can work to close the gap between the person they are and the person they want to be.
Growing a Waldorf-inspired approach in a public school district