Description Ron Jarman believes there is a math genius in every child and adult. Educators can use this comprehensive resource to teach mathematics with imagination while laying solid foundations for life. This resource helps educators develop confidence. It has been time-tested for more than a hundred years by Waldorf teachers. Drawing work on numbers from everyday life stimulates children’s interest. Ron shows how children can easily grasp math principles so that educators do not have to deal with endless worksheets. Ron’s unique approach draws on Pythagoras, the ancient Greeks, and Rudolf Steiner to re-imagine the vital importance of learning mathematics for human development. Chapters include an overview of the Waldorf math curriculum; math and personal development; math and education; and what engages children during their successive stages of development. Chapters also cover the journey of learning mathematics through grades 1 to 8 (ages 6–14), with tips, proven examples, exercises, questions, and diagrams. Hawthorn republished this book by popular demand. It was originally published in 1998 as Teaching Mathematics in Rudolf Steiner Schools for Classes 1–8. Ron Jarman’s jaunty style makes for easy reading. Indeed, the book is rare among teachers’ books; it is compulsive reading and conveys the magic of good Maths teaching. —Chris Clarke, foreword The most comprehensive book on mathematics I’ve ever seen. It’s beautifully written with many illustrations and examples. In addition to general math information, Steiner philosophy and Waldorf education philosophy, the book includes chapters dedicated to each grade, 1st through 8th grade with detailed information on the methodology of teaching math, specific examples to complement the text as well suggestions on how and when to teach particular math concepts. This book is rich with insight and information. The author conveys a deep understanding of math in general and specifically for its application in Steiner schools. If you have no other book on math, this one would be adequate for writing your own math curriculum. It works perfectly to accompany a Waldorf curriculum and would be a wonderful addition to any home library for those who have a passion or interest in mathematics…. Though I use it as a reference book, I think it’s definitely worth reading cover to cover. – Pepper and Pine C O N T E N T S Mathematics and Education What Stimulates the Child? Examples for Children’s Arithmetic in Classes 1 to 3 (6 to 9 years) The Heart of Childhood: child development, arithmetic and geometry Examples for Classes 4 and 5 (9-11) Grade 6 Math (11-12) Arithmetic and Algebra in Grades 7 and 8, (12-14 years) Geometry in Grades 7 and 8 Statistics and Graphs Summary of a Waldorf Mathematics Curriculum
