In the opening block of the senior year, we studied the spectrum of animals with their various characteristics and behaviors. In the process, we examined perspectives on the origins of life on Earth and considered the classification of animals into groups. Evolution is a topic of great importance, not only for classification, but as a unifying principle for all biology. Students made presentations on vertebrates of their choice, and processed the course work through researching and writing essays. Mid-block, we joined with a large contingent of Waldorf schools on Hermit Island, to do direct exploration of marine creatures, and to share in Main Lesson work, art, and music in the themes from this block.