Specialty Classes Offered at SunRidge School
Handwork…
Handwork includes knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand
sewing, felting and machine sewing throughout grades 1-8. I strive to
provide an opportunity for the students to engage their will, awaken
feelings and develop thinking. Patience, perseverance, confidence and
self-esteem grow stronger when the children create beautiful and
practical things. I believe it is the process not the product that is
most important. So much is experienced and learned in the creative
process. Examples include: recognizing mistakes and making appropriate
corrections, becoming a flexible thinker, and experiencing how to work
with others and specific materials. We use natural materials like wool, silk and cotton and make beautiful natural dyes. Our connection to multi-generations is evident when working together with our hands. Grandparents, parents and and friends will be inspired by students.
In the younger grades, children knit animals and toys from a single skein of wool (whole to part) and in the middle school students piece small parts together to create an animal or a piece of clothing (part to whole). Neurological reasearch confirms that the brain is strengthened by the dexterity of the hands even before learning to read or write. After years of sewing by hand, in the middle school grades the sewing machine and its history is introduced. Charity projects are a big
part of my work. Sewing pajama pants and baby quilts are a couple of the endeavors we recently participated in.
— Ms. McKenzie
sewing, felting and machine sewing throughout grades 1-8. I strive to
provide an opportunity for the students to engage their will, awaken
feelings and develop thinking. Patience, perseverance, confidence and
self-esteem grow stronger when the children create beautiful and
practical things. I believe it is the process not the product that is
most important. So much is experienced and learned in the creative
process. Examples include: recognizing mistakes and making appropriate
corrections, becoming a flexible thinker, and experiencing how to work
with others and specific materials. We use natural materials like wool, silk and cotton and make beautiful natural dyes. Our connection to multi-generations is evident when working together with our hands. Grandparents, parents and and friends will be inspired by students.
In the younger grades, children knit animals and toys from a single skein of wool (whole to part) and in the middle school students piece small parts together to create an animal or a piece of clothing (part to whole). Neurological reasearch confirms that the brain is strengthened by the dexterity of the hands even before learning to read or write. After years of sewing by hand, in the middle school grades the sewing machine and its history is introduced. Charity projects are a big
part of my work. Sewing pajama pants and baby quilts are a couple of the endeavors we recently participated in.
— Ms. McKenzie
Games and Movement…
The spirit of imagination weaves its way through the Games and Movement program as students are encouraged to be creative in approaching every challenge, riddle, and strategy presented. My guiding principles as teacher are the four agreements: mutual respect, attentive listening, right to participate, and appreciations. The students know my rules as “Play Safe+Play Fair+Play Hard=Have Fun.” Even though I’ve played hundreds of games, I am still a seeker; I commit to continue learning and introducing new games to our students. Responses to this run the spectrum from “You’re asking us to do what?!!” to “Hmmm…” to “I can’t wait!” Children find in themselves previously-undeveloped capacities which spring forth when challenged!
The SunRidge Movement program is offered to Classes 1-8 twice a week. Among the types of games played are cooperative teambuilding initiatives; problem-solving challenges; hand-eye coordination; and skill-based activities such as games involving dodging, tagging, running, skipping, throwing, aiming, balancing, and others. I’ve been successful in securing grants to procure class supplies, and constantly seek to expand the variety of materials and thus, experiences to be had.
The early years (Class 1-3) focus on gross motor development, string figures and circle games, among others. The middle years (4-5) encompass games with a few more rules, coupled movements (for example, dodging while throwing), and more advanced problem solving. Classes 6-8 see more advanced games, with complex rule systems; and the most advanced problem solving and teambuilding challenges my searching mind can conjure. In addition, Class 5 is invited every year to participate in an Olympic Pentathlon gathering that requires months of physical and mental preparation. Class 6 participates in the Mayacamas Medieval Tournament, another region-wide event where students run, aim, throw, jump and generally get muddy! Class 7 adventures in the ideas of survival, blindness, and pathfinding in the Explorers’ Challenge, and in Class 8, students participate in a track meet with other schools. These culminating movement events are long-standing traditions in Waldorf-inspired schools.
In addition to offering a Games and Movement program, SunRidge supports a healthy and growing athletic program. This year, many students from Classes 5-8 participated in coed volleyball, cross country, and/or basketball to great success.
I’m very proud of the Movement program, Athletic program, and the students who play hard, fair and safe!
~ Dale Thurber ("Mr. T")
The SunRidge Movement program is offered to Classes 1-8 twice a week. Among the types of games played are cooperative teambuilding initiatives; problem-solving challenges; hand-eye coordination; and skill-based activities such as games involving dodging, tagging, running, skipping, throwing, aiming, balancing, and others. I’ve been successful in securing grants to procure class supplies, and constantly seek to expand the variety of materials and thus, experiences to be had.
The early years (Class 1-3) focus on gross motor development, string figures and circle games, among others. The middle years (4-5) encompass games with a few more rules, coupled movements (for example, dodging while throwing), and more advanced problem solving. Classes 6-8 see more advanced games, with complex rule systems; and the most advanced problem solving and teambuilding challenges my searching mind can conjure. In addition, Class 5 is invited every year to participate in an Olympic Pentathlon gathering that requires months of physical and mental preparation. Class 6 participates in the Mayacamas Medieval Tournament, another region-wide event where students run, aim, throw, jump and generally get muddy! Class 7 adventures in the ideas of survival, blindness, and pathfinding in the Explorers’ Challenge, and in Class 8, students participate in a track meet with other schools. These culminating movement events are long-standing traditions in Waldorf-inspired schools.
In addition to offering a Games and Movement program, SunRidge supports a healthy and growing athletic program. This year, many students from Classes 5-8 participated in coed volleyball, cross country, and/or basketball to great success.
I’m very proud of the Movement program, Athletic program, and the students who play hard, fair and safe!
~ Dale Thurber ("Mr. T")
Instrumental Music…
Music is a large part of the SunRidge curriculum. Singing begins the very first day of kindergarten and may be heard often throughout the day in every classroom. The recorder is introduced in Class 1, followed by a comprehensive music program for students in Classes 4-8. The SunRidge music program is directed by Eddie Guthman, contrabass player for the American Philharmonic—Sonoma County. Mr. Guthman enjoys helping students discover the music that lives inside each and every one of us.
While in Class 4, the children have instrumental music lessons one period per week. They begin studying violin and have the opportunity to switch to another string instrument after winter break if the violin is not a good fit. During the first few lessons, students begin learning how to play with good form and technique while focusing on creating a beautiful tone. After a few weeks, they also begin reading music. Students in Class 5 continue with instrumental instruction and may switch to a wind instrument if they choose to do so.
In middle school, students are offered the chance to play in either the Middle School Orchestra or the Middle School Recorder Ensemble. The Middle School Orchestra is for students who are interested in continuing with their instrumental instruction. The orchestra provides students the opportunity to play in an orchestral setting with music chosen to challenge and inspire while teaching them how to play together in an ensemble. The Middle School Orchestra meets twice each week. It is a wonderful environment for music students to improve their skills as well as experience firsthand the three pillars of music: melody, rhythm, and harmony.
The Middle School Recorder Ensemble meets once a week and is taught by Karen Guthman. The recorder ensemble offers a chance for students who do not wish to play in the orchestra to continue experiencing the joy of playing music together with an instrument they have played since Class 1.
While in Class 4, the children have instrumental music lessons one period per week. They begin studying violin and have the opportunity to switch to another string instrument after winter break if the violin is not a good fit. During the first few lessons, students begin learning how to play with good form and technique while focusing on creating a beautiful tone. After a few weeks, they also begin reading music. Students in Class 5 continue with instrumental instruction and may switch to a wind instrument if they choose to do so.
In middle school, students are offered the chance to play in either the Middle School Orchestra or the Middle School Recorder Ensemble. The Middle School Orchestra is for students who are interested in continuing with their instrumental instruction. The orchestra provides students the opportunity to play in an orchestral setting with music chosen to challenge and inspire while teaching them how to play together in an ensemble. The Middle School Orchestra meets twice each week. It is a wonderful environment for music students to improve their skills as well as experience firsthand the three pillars of music: melody, rhythm, and harmony.
The Middle School Recorder Ensemble meets once a week and is taught by Karen Guthman. The recorder ensemble offers a chance for students who do not wish to play in the orchestra to continue experiencing the joy of playing music together with an instrument they have played since Class 1.
Gardening…
At SunRidge Charter School we are committed to bringing hands-on garden and place based education to children from a young age. Beginning in first grade the children are introduced to the outdoor classroom and all the wonders it beholds. Abundant in story, song and educational games the weekly garden classes for first and second grade begins with the exploration of the living soil and all the important players that work to create it. With each seed sown in the garden there is a seed of curiosity sown within each child. This intrigue grows as the child moves into Third Grade and takes on the responsibility of caring for the garden with the rest of their class. As they begin a study of traditional farming societies in the classroom they are able to bring this knowledge from their heads into their hands in the garden each week in a full day in the garden. During their farm year they learn all that is involved not just in tending to a garden but in what it means to be a steward of the Earth. By the time the children move into fourth grade they’ve gained practical skills in building natural habitat for native species, composting, growing soil, seed sowing, planting, tending to wild-lands and much more. Our intention at the SunRidge Garden Program is not just to cultivate ecoliteracy amongst our students, but with this a deep respect for the Earth and all of its inhabitants.
Woodworking…
Waldorf education exercises the feeling, willing and thinking forces of a child. The will is a crucial force in the developing child. One may own an inner picture in thought and feeling, but it is through the will that it is manifested into an outer picture. With strengthened will forces, imagination can be displayed into the physical world.
Our woodworking program begins in Fifth Grade and continues through the Eighth Grade. Students are introduced to hand tools as well as different varieties and densities of wood.
In Fifth Grade, students begin with a soft wood. They are instructed on proper use of measuring tape, square, coping saw, handsaw, hammer, file, rasp and different grades of sandpaper and construct a toolbox. Each student then grasps the whittling knife and carving techniques, revealing a wooden egg from a block of wood.
In Sixth Grade, the acquainted students strengthen their woodworking knowledge. With the introduction of new tools like gauge, mallet, and scrapers, each student designs and makes a wooden spoon out of a chosen hardwood.
In Seventh Grade, students reflect on their inner life, contemplating their place in the outer world. Having experimented with a variety of woods and familiar with the basic hand tools, each student traditionally chooses the wood and design for a wooden bowl project. Other projects have included creating a puppet head out of a block of basswood.
The Eighth Grade student is now skilled with the use of basic hand tools, wood types and bringing imaginative intentions forward through completed processes. The semester starts with a community-building project. Students learn glue-up techniques and design a multi-hardwood cutting board. They are further challenged by a wooden stool project that incorporates new furniture building techniques.
Our woodworking program begins in Fifth Grade and continues through the Eighth Grade. Students are introduced to hand tools as well as different varieties and densities of wood.
In Fifth Grade, students begin with a soft wood. They are instructed on proper use of measuring tape, square, coping saw, handsaw, hammer, file, rasp and different grades of sandpaper and construct a toolbox. Each student then grasps the whittling knife and carving techniques, revealing a wooden egg from a block of wood.
In Sixth Grade, the acquainted students strengthen their woodworking knowledge. With the introduction of new tools like gauge, mallet, and scrapers, each student designs and makes a wooden spoon out of a chosen hardwood.
In Seventh Grade, students reflect on their inner life, contemplating their place in the outer world. Having experimented with a variety of woods and familiar with the basic hand tools, each student traditionally chooses the wood and design for a wooden bowl project. Other projects have included creating a puppet head out of a block of basswood.
The Eighth Grade student is now skilled with the use of basic hand tools, wood types and bringing imaginative intentions forward through completed processes. The semester starts with a community-building project. Students learn glue-up techniques and design a multi-hardwood cutting board. They are further challenged by a wooden stool project that incorporates new furniture building techniques.
Choir…
Ms. Bija offers 5th - 8th grade students a vibrant choral learning environment, featuring a multicultural repertoire of folk and classic songs in different languages. Using the movement-based principles of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, students develop a full-body understanding of rhythmic concepts, harmony, phrase and form as it applies to the choral setting. Above all, Ms. Bija aims to develop in her students a love for music and ensemble singing.
Eurythmy…
From the inception of the first school, Eurythmy has been an essential part of the Waldorf school curriculum. The roots of the word come from Greek: eu = harmonious; rythmos = movement/rhythm; hence, eurythmy means harmonious movement. Eurythmy takes as its inspiration the elements of speech and music -- conveying the world of nature, culture, and the human soul and spirit. Our inner and outer lives, our imaginations, thoughts, feelings and activities, are all a continual flow of movement. These movements are educated, harmonized, and strengthened through the practice of Eurythmy. The curriculum, offered in Kindergarten through Second Grade at SunRidge, follows the wisdom of the students’ physiological, emotional, social, and cognitive development in such a way as to assist in the unfolding of a healthy human being.
