Question about 1st Grade Syllabus and Block V

[Jessica]

In Block V, is it ok if the child watches while I draw the picture that they are going to draw into their book or is it better for me to have already drawn it?

Jessica

[Donna]

Hi Jessica,

I think either way can work. Sometimes it's nice to have the picture there so the child can look at it while she listens to the story. It can be fun for children to try to figure out what th new letter is going to be.

On the other hand, just sitting and listening fully to you while you tell the story is fine too. Many children do much better to watch the picture being drawn - especially those who are hesitant or can't quite think of how to begin a picture. For those that are especially stuck, it can be good to draw your picture "verbally" in front of them: "Well, let's see.... here is the beautiful meadow that the Prince and the Wise Woman walked across.... here's the Prince.... look - he's following the Wise Woman - here she is.... The sun was shining that day, sending down its golden rays to warm them...." and so on.

In A Waldorf classroom the teacher will generally have already drawn the pictures before the lesson starts. However - this is also because she would have to turn her back on 20+ children and spend quite a bit of time getting her picture just right - and probably lose the children's attention during this time, thus spoiling the lesson.

So once again, home and classroom are very different!