Class 1
In Class 1 our first Main Lesson is usually Form Drawing – a special subject which lays the foundation for writing the block capital letters. We introduce the letters themselves through fairy stories, and the letters emerge from the pictures which illustrate them. The children walk the letters, then draw them BIG, and play with sounds and names. Later in the year they write their first sentences, drawn from a favourite story or verse, making their own books and reading from their own writing. Nature stories, imaginative in presentation but accurate in content, lay the foundations for the Science Main Lessons of later years.
In Maths, we start by introducing the qualities of the numbers, at first using Roman numerals. Then simple number bonds, number games, rhymes and rhythmic counting lead to the four processes of number. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are first introduced as pictures through stories.
Main lessons always begin with a morning song and verse. Seasonal songs and poems lead into a lively circle time, with rhythmic stamping and clapping, bean-bag and circle games, so that children come to their desk-work with head, hands and heart already enlivened. the children have weekly lessons in handwork, drawing, modelling, music, painting, in watercolours and games. They also have weekly lessons in both French and German, which are taught through songs, poems, games, stories and conversation in the younger classes.
