The following Waldorf online courses are now available through San Diego State University.
Powerpoint presentation at: mhtml:http://members.cox.net/waldorfedu/P_SDSU_Courses.mht
Copyrightt©D.Mollet/WER2005

Form Drawing: the basis for learning to read, geometry, biology, art and drawing
Short Description: Form Drawing is an important subject area in charter schools adapting the Waldorf approach to the public sector. It relates to specialised neurological development and forms the basis for learning to read, geometry, biology, art and drawing.
Syllabus:
Introducing form drawing to young children.
Relationship to various stages of development
Inner expression and outward form
Form drawing as a basis for writing the letters and numerals
Form drawing as a basis for geometry and botany
Form drawing and art and drawing
Form drawing and other cultures
Form drawing and the development skills necessary to the growing child. For example, manual dexterity, spatial awareness and visual discrimination.
Form drawing as a therapeutic aid
Form drawing as a harmonization process
Perspective on form drawing as part of the elementary school curriculum

Introduction to Whole Child Content and Methodology including Structuring the Day
Short Description: The course will provide a comprehensive analysis and description of one approach to adapting Waldorf content and methodology to public school settings.
Syllabus:
Overview of the Whole Child approach to education
The overview gives answers to the following three questions.
Why is it taught? What is taught? How is it taught?
Why it is important to base content and methodology on a proven theory of child development.
Why it is important to base teaching on content that is proven and optimizes childrens’ learning and wellbeing
Why it is important to include a proven methodology of teaching as part of the teaching process.
Structuring the day
The importance of inbreathing in relation to content and methodology
Structuring inbreathing
The importance of outbreathing in relation to content and methodology
Structuring outbreathing
The importance of rhythmic activity
The importance of forgetting and the relation of “forgetting” and remembering
Evaluating Whole Child Content and Methodology

Teaching the ancient African civilization of Kush
Short Description: The ancient African civilization of Kush is a major ancient civilization. All students, but especially African-American, should learn about the ancient civilization of Kush. It rules Egypt at various times and also ruled the largest Nile empire. It was ruled for some of the time, by powerful queens.
Syllabus:
Where was Kush located? and Where was Kush in terms of time? Kush known by different names.
Six Reasons why it is important that all students learn about Kush.
1. An Erroneous Message
2. The Female Role in Kush
3. Ruled by Queens
4. Queens of Kush
5. Understanding Concepts: Acculturation
6. A Challenge for the Future
Hairbraiding - Linking past and present.
Expedition to Jebel Barkal
Kushite hieroglyphics

Methodology of Teaching
Short Description: Why a methodology of teaching is basic to good teaching. The inter-relationship of the physical organism and our mental faculties. A description of different personality types or temperaments. Optimizing childrens’ learning through a methodology of teaching. Creating lessons taking into account different personality types. Relationship of methodology of teaching to various stages of development.
Syllabus:
Relating the teacher’s temperament to the teaching process
Christine, Mary, Philippa, Shona and the Tree
The choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic and sanguine
Relating content to different personality types through storytelling
The teaching process in relation to the choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic and sanguine
Teacher's expectations
Creating a story - Francis Winlock
The teacher's temperament

Storytelling
Short Description: Storytelling forms an integral part of Whole Child Methodology. The course includes a study of historical background; the importance of storytelling for children, what makes a good storyteller, the techniques and skills needed to tell stories and so on. It gives an overall view of the curriculum as it relates to Storytelling and Literature. It also describes how specific content should be taught to particular age groups. Storytelling as part of the Whole Child approach is used in many subject areas and not just in obvious ones such as Literature. For example, each of the four arithmetical processes are introduced through a story. Children who do not experience storytelling will grow up with different perceptions than those who have been fortunate to listen to them.
Syllabus:
Brief history of the history of storytelling
The course will include five main points.
1. Storytelling and its relationship to the affective
2. Storytelling and its relationship to the cognitive - the effectiveness of stories to transmit knowledge
3. Storytelling and language arts
4. Storytelling and introducing different concepts
5. Storytelling and scaffolding and sequential learning
Structure of a story including theme, setting, characters and plot
Story presentation - tools and techniques
Storytelling and the psychological needs of students
Importance of the imagination and the danger of excessive intellectual analysis

The Whole Child Theory of Child Development
Short Description: An overview of the whole child approach to psychological development. Descriptions of the three stages of development and how development relates to both mental and physical attributes and the relationship between the two. Growth patterns and phases within each stage. The importance of relating content and methodology to growth patterns. Curricula in different subject areas and their relationship to growth patterns.
Syllabus:
The first stage of child development
Phases within the first stage of child development
Needs and interests of children in the first stage of child development
Indicators of growth patterns in the process of change from the first to the second stage
Dangers of premature cognitive development
The second stage of child development
Phases within the second stage of child development
Needs and interests of children in the second stage of child development
Indicators of growth patterns in the process of change from the second to the third stage
The third stage of child development
Phases within the third stage of child development
Needs and interests of students in the third stage of child development

The Whole Child Curriculum
Short Description: Detailed descriptions of curriculum based on the adaptation of the Waldorf approach in public schools. The determinants of curriculum. Why it is crucial that curriculum relates to the mindset of students according to different stages of development. The nature of curriculum in specific subject areas (arithmetic, form drawing, English, thematic subjects in history and geography). The dynamic relationship and the adaptation of content and methodology in order to optimize students’ learning.
Syllabus:
The basis of t he Whole Child Curriculum
International comparisons
Some determinants of c urriculum
Relationship of the mindset of students to c urriculum
Developing emotional intelligence
Developing cognitive intelligence
Relationship of aspects of growth to c urriculum
Examples in arithmetic according to the Whole Child Curriculum
Examples in form drawing according to the Whole Child Curriculum
Examples in English according to the Whole Child Curriculum
Examples in history and geography according to the Whole Child Curriculum
Why curriculum should be dynamic
Perspective on modern day determinants of curriculum

Dr. David L. Mollet's CV at http://members.cox.net/waldorfedu/CV.pdf

Copyright© DMollet/WER2005