Difference between Waldorf schools and other schools?

Answer 1

There are many differences between Waldorf schools and other schools. I can't give you a long answer since I have a lot of homework from the Waldorf high school, but here are a few differences:

In the lower grades there are a lot of stories. History is taught as a collection of stories (containing facts) rather than just plain dates and events.

Teachers actually teach the material, we're not taught by textbooks. In fact we kind of make our own textbooks. For two hours every morning, we have a class called "main lesson." There are different main lesson blocks, each about a month long. Different subjects are taught during different blocks. Sometimes there's history, sometimes science, sometimes drama. Right now, I have economics. These classes don't use textbooks. We write essays (the younger kids don't write full essays, but they do write a little) and we draw pictures. These are bound together into a book that can serve as a textbook in the future. I can go to my 9th grade Biology book and find an essay and diagram of the heart, both of which were done by me.

In waldorf education, we experience a lot of stuff. We don't just watch our teachers do experiments during chemistry, we also do them.

Waldorf is well rounded. In addition to math, science, history and english, we're required to take PE, art, a second language, music and gardening. We get a mix of the intellectual, artistic and physical. I can tend a garden, milk a cow, sew, knit, weave, paint and do many other things. Every school day from first through eighth grade starts with singing and recorder playing.

I have heard some people call Waldorf religious. It is not, but it does recognize many religions. The schools have Michaelmas and mayday festivals, which are just stories, singing and eating. In second grade, we learn about the saints in second grade, the old testament in third, the Norse gods in fourth and so on.

Answer 2

Waldorf schools have a holistic educational approach that focuses on artistic, practical, and intellectual development, while other schools may emphasize standardized curriculum and testing. Waldorf schools also incorporate elements of creativity, imagination, and experiential learning into their teaching methods, which sets them apart from traditional educational models. Additionally, Waldorf schools prioritize social and emotional development alongside academic achievement, creating a more well-rounded educational experience for students.