Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 104
Waldorf is very concerned with rhythm, and the schedule of the school day is carefully
crafted. After a rigidly controlled circle ritual and prayer (students do not share news from
home or discuss world events), two hours of morning ―prime time‖ is given to the ―main
lesson.‖ Main lessons are of one subject, taught in a block of several weeks‘ length. A
history block might be followed by a block on geometry, followed by a block on botany, and
so on. There are no textbooks. The teacher draws elaborate illustrations and writes text on
the chalkboard, and the student makes a ―lesson book‖ for each block by copying from the
board.
After the main lesson, special subjects are rotated in a more conventional way, like math
drills or foreign language classes twice a week. The special subjects include some very
strange Anthroposophical exercises taught by specialty teachers. A great deal of time is
spent doing strictly prescribed wet-on-wet watercolor painting. This is intended to be a
spiritual exercise in which the students contact the spiritual world through color. The use of
lines is forbidden in the early grades, except for ―form drawing,‖ which consists of repetitive
exercises that are purported to be therapeutic. All Waldorf students take eurythmy, a ritual
dance that Steiner invented, claiming it was a new art form that carried on the ancient
Greek temple dance tradition. It is more of a code than an art form. It consists of a
prescribed vocabulary of gestures that symbolize speech sounds, musical intervals, the
signs of the zodiac, and the planets. Parents can be very impressed when they see flowing
gowns and graceful arm-waving reminiscent of Isadora Duncan, but the impression is only
superficial. The world of dance takes no interest in the Steiner cult‘s ―new art form.‖
The environment of Waldorf schools is unique. The architecture, following Steiner‘s designs
for the Goetheanum buildings, avoids right angles and rounds corners. Where an existing
building is used, interiors are draped to soften the lines, and natural light is used as much
as possible. Classrooms are noticeably less ―busy‖ than any other school only a few
selected pieces of student art are displayed, perhaps a few pieces of art relating to the
current lesson block or theme of the year, and a ―nature table‖ (really an altar) that is
redecorated for each season. Classroom walls are painted in pastel colors that Steiner
prescribed for each grade, with a special transparent color technique called ―lazuring.‖ The
effect is peaceful and artistic.
Waldorf schools usually develop by founding a kindergarten first, then when enough support
has been organized, a first grade. New classes will be added year by year as the first grade
moves up. The standard Waldorf school has a kindergarten and eight grades. High schools
are rare because they are more expensive. Very successful schools found high schools after
years of being a full elementary school. Schools are monitored and licensed by national
Waldorf school associations. In the United States the Association of Waldorf Schools of
North America (AWSNA) licenses use of the Waldorf and Steiner trademarks. In turn, the
associations are coordinated by the Pedagogical Section of the Goetheanum in Switzerland.
There are no general Waldorf colleges. Specialized institutions include teacher training
colleges, art and eurythmy schools, and post-graduate medical schools.
Waldorf schools have a strict dress code, and elementary school students are not allowed to
bring anything from home, especially toys, books, or popular music. The schools want to
change the lifestyles of their students‘ families to conform to Anthroposophical ideals.
Stricter schools will insist that parents sign an agreement to eliminate television, movies,
and recorded music from their homes. Teachers often request that children not be enrolled
in any after-school activities like dance or sports so that the influence of the school won‘t be
diluted by popular culture. Parents are advised (or ordered, depending on the teacher) to
put children to bed early and not to expose them to any stimulation before school. Some
teachers inspect their students‘ homes parents joke with each other about hiding the TV
and plastic toys. Because of this complex of restrictions, Waldorf families, trying to do their
best for their children, tend to become isolated, socializing only with other Waldorf families.
Waldorf is very concerned with rhythm, and the schedule of the school day is carefully
crafted. After a rigidly controlled circle ritual and prayer (students do not share news from
home or discuss world events), two hours of morning ―prime time‖ is given to the ―main
lesson.‖ Main lessons are of one subject, taught in a block of several weeks‘ length. A
history block might be followed by a block on geometry, followed by a block on botany, and
so on. There are no textbooks. The teacher draws elaborate illustrations and writes text on
the chalkboard, and the student makes a ―lesson book‖ for each block by copying from the
board.
After the main lesson, special subjects are rotated in a more conventional way, like math
drills or foreign language classes twice a week. The special subjects include some very
strange Anthroposophical exercises taught by specialty teachers. A great deal of time is
spent doing strictly prescribed wet-on-wet watercolor painting. This is intended to be a
spiritual exercise in which the students contact the spiritual world through color. The use of
lines is forbidden in the early grades, except for ―form drawing,‖ which consists of repetitive
exercises that are purported to be therapeutic. All Waldorf students take eurythmy, a ritual
dance that Steiner invented, claiming it was a new art form that carried on the ancient
Greek temple dance tradition. It is more of a code than an art form. It consists of a
prescribed vocabulary of gestures that symbolize speech sounds, musical intervals, the
signs of the zodiac, and the planets. Parents can be very impressed when they see flowing
gowns and graceful arm-waving reminiscent of Isadora Duncan, but the impression is only
superficial. The world of dance takes no interest in the Steiner cult‘s ―new art form.‖
The environment of Waldorf schools is unique. The architecture, following Steiner‘s designs
for the Goetheanum buildings, avoids right angles and rounds corners. Where an existing
building is used, interiors are draped to soften the lines, and natural light is used as much
as possible. Classrooms are noticeably less ―busy‖ than any other school only a few
selected pieces of student art are displayed, perhaps a few pieces of art relating to the
current lesson block or theme of the year, and a ―nature table‖ (really an altar) that is
redecorated for each season. Classroom walls are painted in pastel colors that Steiner
prescribed for each grade, with a special transparent color technique called ―lazuring.‖ The
effect is peaceful and artistic.
Waldorf schools usually develop by founding a kindergarten first, then when enough support
has been organized, a first grade. New classes will be added year by year as the first grade
moves up. The standard Waldorf school has a kindergarten and eight grades. High schools
are rare because they are more expensive. Very successful schools found high schools after
years of being a full elementary school. Schools are monitored and licensed by national
Waldorf school associations. In the United States the Association of Waldorf Schools of
North America (AWSNA) licenses use of the Waldorf and Steiner trademarks. In turn, the
associations are coordinated by the Pedagogical Section of the Goetheanum in Switzerland.
There are no general Waldorf colleges. Specialized institutions include teacher training
colleges, art and eurythmy schools, and post-graduate medical schools.
Waldorf schools have a strict dress code, and elementary school students are not allowed to
bring anything from home, especially toys, books, or popular music. The schools want to
change the lifestyles of their students‘ families to conform to Anthroposophical ideals.
Stricter schools will insist that parents sign an agreement to eliminate television, movies,
and recorded music from their homes. Teachers often request that children not be enrolled
in any after-school activities like dance or sports so that the influence of the school won‘t be
diluted by popular culture. Parents are advised (or ordered, depending on the teacher) to
put children to bed early and not to expose them to any stimulation before school. Some
teachers inspect their students‘ homes parents joke with each other about hiding the TV
and plastic toys. Because of this complex of restrictions, Waldorf families, trying to do their
best for their children, tend to become isolated, socializing only with other Waldorf families.
