This term, Class 5 has stepped across a new threshold in our Humanities journey. After immersing ourselves in the ancient worlds of India and Persia in Term 1, civilisations filled with mythic beginnings, spiritual awakening and the first stirrings of individuality, we now arrive in Ancient Egypt, a culture that meets the children right where they are developmentally.
In the Steiner curriculum, we move from India’s dreamlike consciousness to Persia’s awakening struggle, and now into Egypt, where the human being begins to stand more firmly on the earth. The Egyptian people lived between earth and sky, between desert and river, between life and the afterlife. Their gods are more defined, more human‑shaped, and their stories reflect a growing sense of order, responsibility, and moral balance. This shift mirrors the inner development of the Class 5 child, who is beginning to feel their own sense of individuality emerging.
One of the most striking aspects of Ancient Egypt is the importance of the afterlife. For the Egyptians, life did not end at death, it transformed. The weighing of the heart, the journey through the underworld, and the presence of gods like Osiris and Anubis, reveal a culture deeply concerned with truth, balance, and the moral quality of one’s deeds. These themes resonate beautifully with the children’s growing sense of fairness and justice.
Our classroom has been filled with colourful Egyptian artwork, from richly painted borders to stylised figures and hieroglyphs. The students have been captivated by the bold lines, the desert landscapes, the deep blues of the Nile, and the golden tones of the sun. Their drawings and paintings are becoming more confident and detailed as they work with these ancient forms.
We have also begun reading Ramose, a novel following the adventures of an Egyptian prince. The story has already sparked lively discussions about royal life, responsibility, and the challenges faced by young people in ancient times.
Beyond our Main Lesson work, the class has taken up woodwork with Michael, and it has quickly become a highlight of the week. The students have discovered fallen leaves to help design into a hand‑carved wooden fruit bowl. This project demands will, patience and perseverance, qualities that are growing stronger each week. Many students are so absorbed in their carving, scraping and chiselling that they struggle to put the tools down at the end of the day.
As we continue our journey along the Nile, meeting gods, exploring temples, and discovering the rhythms of life in this remarkable civilisation, the Class is developing not only knowledge, but also reverence, skill, and a deeper sense of themselves in the world.
Bodi Smith
Class 5 Teacher
