Movement Program 5 th Grade Movement The 5

Movement Program

5 th Grade Movement The 5 th Grade curriculum includes movement and breathing training that prepares students for the annual 5 th grade ritual – The Pentathalon also known as the Greek Games. The five areas of the Pentathlon are javelin, discus, wrestling, long jump and running. The skills acquired in preparation for the grand moment are meant to extend into adult life. In recognition that a human being has both an interior world and exterior world, we present exercises that support balance and unify both worlds.

We achieve this unity through providing tools that are age appropriate such as Arica Psychocalistenics (these exercises improve balance, spatial awareness, coordination, acid/base balance), Kath generation (these exercises enhance vital energy across the body similar to Tai Chi) and more. The movements are soft, revitalizing, grounding and toning. Listening exercises provide students with the opportunity to become present while observing the movement of the mind. Relaxation tools enhance imagination allowing the chattering mind to move toward quietude. These exercises allow the students to recharge themselves within a very short period of time.

6 th Grade Movement In the Sixth grade, movement guidance becomes more essential as students develop slight to major changes in body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Students now show an outward sense of invincibility. Our students now appear to search outwardly for resolution with less reliance on their inner nature. This excursion to the outer world is often viewed in conventional settings as trouble for the culture at large. However, the evolutionary process of the human being is met with understanding, compassion, empathy, and guidance in the Waldorf Inspired Curriculum.

The movement event for the Sixth Grade is the Medieval Games Tournament. Our students are brought together with several other Waldorf Inspired schools and are separated into seven shires. Schools do not complete against each other, which allows our students to build friendships at each upcoming event. This could be called the year of brotherhood. Individuals learn to adapt and collaborate. We look to see the virtues in ourselves and in those around us.

7 th Grade Movement The Seventh grade year is where students expand their investigation of life, becoming more amazed by their perceptions of themselves and others. This is a year recognized in the Waldorf Inspired curriculum as the year of discovery and exploration. Arica Psychocalisthenics, Kath Generation exercises, listening exercises and observation exercises were implemented to establish an understanding of objective movement as well as a resource to achieve an objective state, known as the “Immovable Mind”. The school year builds towards the Explorer’s Tournament. The tournament consists of rowing, orienteering, collaborative sports, games, tug-a-war, running, archery and javelin.

8 th Grade Movement The Eight Grade curriculum is a culmination of the student’s work since the Fifth Grade. This year is marked by more independent expression with many added challenges. The movement is presented with the goal of emphasizing the benefits of moving with economy from the vital center (Kath). Arica P-Cals, Kath Generation, Kath State movements, Relaxation methods and other grounding techniques were offered as tools to enhance awareness across the five areas of attention. These five areas of attention are sensed as our drive, conservation, emotions, intellect and spirit. When exercises are practiced with routine, our entire organism feels more energized and alert.

While clarifying the mind with Kath awareness, we focused on reviewing and refining our track and field specialties: shot put, javelin, discus, long jump and the different running events.