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:

I am a number with a couple of friends;
Quarter a dozen, and you'll find me again.
What am I?

~ Three

from The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids, p.105



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!