Class 3 is often called the turning point of childhood.  The ninth and tenth years of life see the child’s growing emotional separation from others; the emergence of individuality and the capacity to feel deeper into how their words and actions have a direct connection with others and the natural environment. This shared experience is the perfect opportunity to bring a deeper focus to the natural world through the Farming Main Lesson and scientific processes.

Throughout this year, the children will be working in our class garden, as well as on the Shearwater Farm, to engage in direct experiences with the earth, to see how we can nurture crops through to maturity and allow them to grow to their fullest potemtial.

Our class have been conducting an experiment this term on the direct effect of our words and actions on basil and lettuce seedlings.  Each group was given two pots and two seedlings, either basil or lettuce. One pot was labelled red and the other green. Each seedling has been watered equally. However, the green pots have been welcomed each day and spoken to with kind and loving words.  The red pots have been met with silence, even when being watered.

Periodically, seedling heights have been measured and recorded.  The hope is to continue this experiment through to at least the end of Term 2 – with the hope of transplanting our seedlings into the School garden when they are ready.

Various results have been observed so far, with many children honestly sharing they often forget to greet their plant each day. We have asked the question, what would happen if we did not greet each other every day?

The Class 3 child is increasingly aware of the wider world; more capable in their abilities and more able to appreciate loving authority within the classroom.

Receive the children in reverence
Educate them in love
Send them forth in freedom
—Rudolf Steiner

Penny Martin
Class 3 Teacher