Annual work (Waldorf school)
The so-called annual work (even eight or Zwölftklassarbeit or project ) is part of the 8th and 12th school year of free Waldorfschulen . The purpose of an annual work is that the student deals intensively with a topic for one year (usually shorter), both practically as well as theoretically and artistically. The topic is not tied to the subjects taken, but can be freely chosen. The work of each student is supervised by a mentor . Towards the end of the school year, each student presents his or her work to an audience, which usually has the opportunity to ask questions in a discussion group. The results of an annual paper are a written part (the theory), a practical part, such as B. a workpiece or internship (the practice) and a public lecture (the art).
Waldorf degree
The annual work in the 12th grade is part of the Waldorf qualification, which is acquired over the 12th school year. It consists of four parts: the artistic degree, during which artistic development in school reaches its climax and culminates in an art journey; the eurythmy degree, in which the pupils develop their own eurythmy pieces over the course of the year, which are then shown in public performances; a joint play, which is developed and developed by the class, and finally also performed in public; the annual work, which is individually designed by each individual.
The Waldorf degree is mainly artistically shaped (art trip, eurythmy, theater), whereby each of the four parts serves and promotes different impulses of the person. The annual work takes on the role of the manual and cognitive, but is also the most individual part. According to the guiding principles of the Waldorf movement, this school leaving certificate should address and educate the whole person. The Waldorf qualification is not assessed according to a grade system, since according to the anthroposophical philosophy it is not possible to express individual achievements of personal development in a grade.
It should be noted that the so-called "Waldorf qualification" in Germany, in contrast to other countries, is not a state-recognized qualification. The common qualifications are checked and validated at Waldorf schools.
Significance for other school qualifications
Since in some federal states a project work is necessary for the secondary school leaving certificate, which has the characteristics of an annual work, but has significantly fewer requirements in its scope, it is quite common at many Waldorf schools to register the annual work as project work. In addition to the public presentation, an examination interview is held with the mentor, other teachers and / or the responsible school council. Although an annual work is not graded, it appears as a project work on the secondary school leaving certificate, provided it has been registered as a project work.
outlook
As part of a scientifically supported research project "Development of new forms of examination and assessment", Waldorf schools in North Rhine-Westphalia (Düsseldorf, Haan-Gruiten, Hamborn Castle) developed and improved methods of annual work that were extended and improved by essential elements. The implementation of colloquia and the involvement of external experts from so-called receiving institutions are important elements.
literature
- Michael Brater , Dieter Haselbach , Antonia Stefer: Making competencies visible: On the use of competence portfolios in Waldorf schools , Frankfurt, 2010, ISBN 3-63160-465-3 .
- Andrea Vogelgesang: Potential Portfolio - On Loss of Control and Other Opportunities In: Erziehungskunst Heft 4 (2009).