Monday, November 11, 2019

Quality of Numbers: Three & Four

Please do not skip reading the introductory notes in Quality of Numbers: One & Two. This block is quite different from how numbers are introduced in traditional American schools, and the rationale behind it is fascinating.

I know this block is an intimidating one for Waldorf homeschoolers, so I'm trying to be as specific as possible about what we are doing as we go along.


Friday, November 8

RNS prep beforehand:
cover third paper with salt

  • have children solve the third riddle
  • move salt to reveal Roman and Arabic numerals for 3
  • rhythmical walking - Miss Prim
  • rhythmical walking - Grandpa Hugh
  • rhythmical walking - Little Timmie
  • rhythmical counting by 3s, clapping and emphasizing every third number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and so on...)
  • discuss What is Three?
  • read The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
  • read The Three Little Pigs by Paul Galdone
  • listen to "The Three Bears" by Gary Rosen from Putamayo Kids Animal Playground, track 6
  • think of other fairy tales with elements of three
  • practice drawing III and 3 in the salt tray
  • add III and 3 to MLB
  • add colored pencil artwork of three goats / pigs / bears / houses / chairs / porridge bowls / beds to MLB
  • hear fourth riddle

  • The riddle for THREE:


    The riddle for FOUR:

      From the North, from the West
      From the South, from the East
      When we push a door and find it shut
      We slip in underneath
      We whistle and blow
      Our number you know
      But who are we?

      ~ The Four Winds

      a combination of two riddles
      from Eric Fairman, p.21
      from Riddles, a Steiner Schools Fellowship Publication


Monday, November 9

RNS prep beforehand:
cover fourth paper with salt, get blue construction paper and bottles of glue

  • have children solve the fourth riddle
  • move salt to reveal Roman and Arabic numerals for 4
  • rhythmical walking - Miss Prim
  • rhythmical walking - Grandpa Hugh
  • rhythmical walking - Little Timmie
  • rhythmical walking - Cousin Lenore
  • discuss What is Four?
  • recall Winter, Awake! by Linda Kroll, which I read to the Early Childhood group this morning
  • discuss the change in weather which will be happening today as a new weather system of ice & snow rolls in (perfect timing!)
  • listen to "Blow North Wind Blow," from The Singing Year by Candy Verney, page 89, track 75
  • listen to "The North Wind Doth Blow," from Let Us Form a Ring by Nancy Foster, page 17, CD 1 track 27
  • practice drawing IV and 4 in the salt tray
  • add IV and 4 to MLB
  • add Four Winds artwork (clear glue wavy lines on a blue piece of paper, originating from the four points of the compass) to MLB
  • hear fifth riddle

  • The riddle for FIVE:

      Four together and one apart,
      Hold them still and behold -
      What is the number that
      I do hold?

      ~ Four Fingers and a Thumb / The Roman Numeral for V

      from Eric Fairman, p.21


This post contains affiliate links to materials I truly use for homeschooling. Qualifying purchases provide me with revenue. Thank you for your support!

No comments: