Colloquium on English
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Colloquium on English AWSNA High School Research Project May 2004 Work in Progress Research Project #9 1 2 Proceedings Colloquium on English Sponsored by the Waldorf High School Research Project 3 Also Available from AWSNA Publications: Research Project #1: Survey Report (Portfolios, College Alternatives, Scholarship Websites, Social Emotional Skills) Research Project #2: Proceedings of the Chemistry Colloquium Research Project #3: Proceedings of the Mathematics Colloquium Research Project #4:: Proceedings of the Colloquium on the Computer and Informational Technology Research Project #5: Proceedings of the Colloquium on Life Sciences and Environmental Studies Research Project #6:The Andover Proceedings: Tapping the Wellsprings of Health in Adolescence Research Project #7: Proceedings of the World History Colloquium—Symptomatology Research Project #9: Proceedings of the English Colloquium Soon to be released: Research Project #8:: Proceedings of the Colloquium on United States History Title: Proceedings of the Colloquium on English © AWSNA Publications WHSRP Planning Group: Andy Dill, Douglas Gerwin, David Mitchell, Leonore Russell, and Betty Staley May: 2004 Compiled and edited by Anne Greer Layout: David Mitchell Colloquium Participants: Betsy Barricklow (Tara Performing Arts High School), Carol Bärtges (Rudolf Steiner School, New York), Joan Caldarera (San Francisco Waldorf School), Mary Echlin (Kimberton Waldorf School), Mary Emery (Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor), Craig Giddens (Speech), Meg Gorman (San Francisco Waldorf School), Anne Greer (retired, Toronto Waldorf School), Jason Gross (Kimberton Waldorf School), Frank Hall (Washington Waldorf School), Michael Mancini (East Bay Waldorf School), Christene Meyer (Highland Hall School), Allegra Alessandri Pfeifer (San Francisco Waldorf School), Leonore Russell (Waldorf School of Garden City), Patricia Ryan (High Mowing School), Linda Sawers (Washington Waldorf School), Betty Staley (Rudolf Steiner College),Philip Thatcher (Vancouver Waldorf School) 4 Table of Contents Waldorf High School Research Project—Description and Mission Statement .......................... 7 Schedule.................................................................................................................................... 9 To One Who Understands The Sense of Language………………………................………… 11 Overview ………………………………………………….................…………………….… 13 Literature as Unveiling Mirror .……………………………….............……………………… 15 Benchmarks: Transition from Middle School to High School………..............…………….…. 20 Barfield and Evolution of Consciousness……………………………..............………………. 27 Discussion: Schooling Imagination.……………………………….............…………………. 35 What are the Essentials in English Main Lessons? ………………............……………………. 39 Keeping the Curriculum Timely ……………………………..........………………………… 46 Steiner on the High School Literature Curriculum .…………...........………………………. 48 Discussion: Teaching Reading …………………………………...........……………………... 62 Steiner on Reading ………………………………….........………………………………….. 66 The Writing Portfolio: Creating A New Responsibility For The Word………............……….. 73 Discussion: Teaching Writing…………………………………...........………………………. 77 The I-Search…………………………………………………........…………………………. 82 Steiner on Writing and Spelling………………………………........……………………….… 88 Is There a Phenomenological Approach to Grammar? …………..........……………………… 92 Steiner on Grammar……………………………………….......……………………………... 103 Discussion: What Else Should English Teachers be Doing?………...........……………………. 119 Enlivening English Through Eurythmy and Speech…….........…………………………….…. 122 5 Additional Articles: Recommended Books for English Waldorf Teachers .................................................................. 124 On Reading ………………………………………....….....…………………………………. 127 The Sensing Word ………………………………......……………………………………...... 133 The Wholeness of Imagination ……………………......…………………………………....... 136 Childhood Falls Silent ………………………………......………………………………....… 145 From the Left: Frank Hall, Carol Bärtges, Linda Sawers, Anne Greer, Craig Giddens, Jason Gross, Michael Mancini, Betty Staley, and Philip Thatcher 6 AWSNA Waldorf High School Research Project Description of project: The Waldorf High School Research Project Since its inception in the summer of 1998, the Waldorf High School Research Project has focused on three areas of research related to Waldorf high schools and the teenagers of today: The Project is asking What is different about today’s teenagers? What changes are needed in Waldorf high schools today? • First, the Project has invited leading teachers and international experts in Waldorf educa- tion to take part in three-day colloquia around the country on the Waldorf high school curriculum, specifically on the teaching of chemistry, history, mathematics, and move- ment (eurythmy and spacial dynamics), environmental sciences, computer science, and English. Further colloquia are planned in literature and the arts. Proceedings from these colloquia are being published so as to benefit the broadest possible range of Waldorf high school teachers. • Some 30 veteran teachers from across North America have undertaken original research in topics related to Waldorf high school issues and the needs of teenagers today. • The Project sponsored a large-scale research conference in Andover Massachusetts, October 18-22, 2001, on the theme of adolescent development and the Waldorf high school program. • The Committee planned the North American Waldorf Teachers Conference in Kimberton, Pennsylvania June 2002 on the theme “Ascending the Developmental Staircase” covering kindergarten through high school. Over four hundred teachers attended. A publication of the lectures has been printed. 7 WHSRP Mission Statement Formed in August 1998, the Waldorf High School Research Project is charged with strengthen- ing the Waldorf high school movement by creating an updated picture of adolescents today and stimu- lating curriculum development within the Waldorf high schools. As a designated committee of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), the Planning Group of this project is specifically responsible for • identifying and articulating changes in the needs of North American teenagers • formulating research questions concerning adolescence; commissioning qualified educa- tors and other professionals to undertake research into these questions • sponsoring subject colloquia as well as conferences on adolescent development and needs for those working in Waldorf high schools • preparing North American conferences for those working in Waldorf high schools – to share and deepen research; to stimulate dialogue; to activate meaningful change for youth in the twenty-first century • developing publications and other media resources to assist those working in Waldorf high schools • stimulating Waldorf high school educators to examine and strengthen their programs • seeking funds to support the commissioned research, colloquia, publications, confer- ences, and follow-up initiatives in the Waldorf high schools in coordination with AWSNA Development in line with the overall AWSNA priorities. 8 Colloquium on English High Mowing School, Wilton, New Hampshire 10 - 13 October 2003 Schedule ____________________________________________ FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER 6:00 P.M. Dinner 7:00 – 7:30 Introductory remarks and announcements 7:30 – 8:30 “Literature as Unveiling Mirror.” (Philip Thatcher) 8:30 – 9:00 Eurythmy (with Leonore Russell) SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 8:00 A.M. - - - Breakfast - - - 8:45 – 9:30 Speech (with Craig Giddens) 9:30 – 10:30 “Barfield and Evolution of Consciousness,” (Mary Emery) 10:30 – 11:00 - - - Break - - - 11:00 – 12:30 P.M. ` Discussion: Schooling Imagination 12:30 – 2:00 - - - Lunch - - - 2:00 – 2:45 Speech (with Craig Giddens) 2:45 – 3:45 “Literature Main Lessons: the Essentials,” (Betty Staley) 3:45 – 4:00 - - - Short Break - - - 4:00 – 4:30 Eurythmy (with Leonore Russell) 4:30 – 5:00 - - - Break - - - 5:00 – 6:00 Discussion: Teaching Reading 6:00 – 7:30 - - - Dinner - - - 7:30 – 9:00 “Keeping the Curriculum Timely,” (Allegra Alessandri /Meg Gorman) SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 8:00 A.M. - - - Breakfast - - - 8:45 – 9:30 Speech (with Craig Giddens) 9:30 – 10:30 “Portfolio Writing,” (Linda Sawers) 10:30 – 11:00 - - - Break - - - 11:00 – 12:30 P.M. Discussion: Teaching Writing 12:30 – 2:00 - - - Lunch - - - 2:00 – 2:45 Speech (with Craig Giddens) 2:45 – 3:45 “Is there a Phenomenological Approach to Grammar?” (Anne Greer) 3:45 – 4:00 - - - Short Break - - - 4:00 – 4:30 Eurythmy (with Leonore Russell) 4:30 – 5:00 - - - Break - - - 5:00 – 6:00 Discussion: Teaching Grammar 6:00 – 7:30 - - - Dinner - - - 7:30 – 9:00 Discussion: What Else Should English Teachers Be Doing? 9 MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 8:00 A.M. - - - Breakfast - - - 8:45 – 9:30 Eurythmy (with Leonore Russell) 9:30 – 10:30 “Benchmarks: Transition from Grade 8 to High School,” (Carol Bärtges) 10:30 – 11:00 - - - Break - - - 11:00 – 12:00 Wrap-up discussion and appreciations 12:00 noon - - - Lunch - - - From the Left: Philip Thatcher, Betsy Barricklow, David Sloan, Betty Staley, Joan Caldarera, Craig Giddens, and Allegra Allessandri Pfeifer 10 To One Who Understands the Sense of Language To one who understands the sense of language The world unveils itself In image. To one who hears the soul of language The world opens itself As Being. To one who lives the spirit of language The world gives the gift Of Wisdom’s power. To one who can feel love of language Language lends Its own