THE WALDORF CURRICULUM

Language Arts
Waldorf schools teach reading, spelling, grammar, handwriting, original composition, speech and theater arts.

Humanities
The humanities curriculum draws on rich and diverse cultural sources, with a progression from fairy tales, fables and legends, and Old Testament stories in the early grades to study of Norse mythology and the ancient cultures of India, Persia, Egypt and Greece. By the end of eighth grade, students will have journeyed through Roman and medieval history, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of Exploration, the Industrial Evolution and up to the present.

Sciences
Students begin in the lower grades with nature stories and experience the world of nature first hand so that a sense of wonder and love for the world is fostered. Third grade brings a study of farming and a week-long trip to work and live on a real farm. In fourth grade students take up zoology and particularly focus on the relationship between the human being and the animal kingdom. In fifth grade botany is the science of emphasis and in sixth through eighth grades students take up mineralogy, astronomy, chemistry and basic physics, learning particularly to observe and question.

Mathematics
During the elementary years, grades one through eight, students get a thorough grounding in numbers, basic math, fractions, geometry, algebra, graphing and ratios. Children first encounter the world of numbers through stories, musical rhythms and artistic activities, getting the numbers "into their bones" before advancing to abstract reasoning.

Artistic Expression
Artistic activity is an essential element in the Waldorf curriculum.  Much of the main lesson involves integrating learning through artistic work, and students have many opportunities for creative expression through painting, drawing, modeling and puppetry.

Foreign Languages
German and Spanish are taught through songs, verses, games and conversations in the early grades and through grammar, reading, writing and dramatic plays in the higher grades.

Music
Singing and pentatonic flute or recorder playing begin in the first grade and by fourth grade each child begins to play a stringed instrument. Children sing every day and musical performances are part of school assemblies and seasonal celebrations.

Handwork
Over the course of eight years, every student learns to knit, crochet, embroider and sew, as well as model with clay and work with wood and metal.

Physical Education and Movement
Free play and organized playground games are emphasized in the lower grades and children enjoy a morning recess as well as a recess after lunch. All children learn to skip rope, toss and catch balls, climb, tumble and walk balance beams. Eurythmy, taught by a trained eurythmist, is an art of movement unique to Waldorf schools that particularly integrates a child's thinking, feeling and willing and fosters harmonious social interaction. Spacial Dynamics, also unique to Waldorf, is rhythmical physical movement that orients children to all directions and, like eurythmy, develops a grace of movement and a social awareness.