Grade 1 Fairy tales and nature stories are told, retold and dramatized by the class to cultivate imagination. Drawing, writing and reading are evolved from stories. The alphabet is learned thoroughly as forms and sounds. Numbers 1 to 100 are introduced as are elements of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and simple multiplication tables. Nature stories provide an imaginative introduction to the natural world. Foreign language, observation of nature, songs, poems, games, form drawing, watercolor painting, knitting, modeling with beeswax, pentatonic flute, singing, eurythmy and circle games round out the wonderful first year in the grades.
Grade 2
The second grade awakens to a greater awareness of the foibles of others. Fables and legends of great persons, such as saints, are also shared, showing the ability of the human being to overcome adversity. Reading in groups begins. The children continue to work with the four arithmetical processes and the multiplication tables. Nature stories continue. Crocheting, folk songs, modeling beeswax, eurhythmy, social exercises, rhythmic games, and jump rope are included in the curriculuum. Stories of great and noble heroes and heroines from cultures all over the world are included by teachers, including figures from Native American stories.
Grade 3
To strengthen the third graders' growing consciousness of self, Creation and Old Testament stories are shared. American Indian tales and legends are introduced. Grammar, punctuation, poetry, long division, are all studied. Farming, house-building and measurement provide a practical foundation for scientific study, as well as draw the children close to the earth and round out a year full of active learning. Teachers include the rich creation stories from all the great cultures of the world.
Grade 4
As the fourth graders enter a new phase of childhood, they are immersed in Norse Mythology, in which consequences and courage meet the child. The study of nature continues with Human Being and Animal, Zoology. Fractions are introduced. Map making and local geography help the student feel "I am Here", and these are my surroundings with which I am involved." Other areas introduced are geometric drawing, cross-stitch, embroidery, modeling with clay, and an orchestral instrument such as violin or cello.
Grade 5
Ancient history is studied including the cultures of India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. Greek mythology is studied deeply. The life of Buddha, Zoroaster, Alexander the Great and others are brought to the children. Botany and U.S. geography are studied. Calculations with fractions continue and decimals are introduced. English language skills are studied.
Grade 6
Seeking justice and cohesion in the world, the sixth grader is met with the law and logic of Roman and medieval history. North and South American geography is studied. In mathematics, interest, percent and discounts are studied as well as geometry. Geology is introduced as well as physics. Acoustics, optics, heat and magnetism, painting landscapes, woodworking with saws, rasps and gouges, bas-relief modeling, descant, alto and tenor recorder, decathalon and team sports are all introduced.
Grade 7
The Renaissance, Reformation and the Age of Discovery challenge the seventh grader to consider the full responsibility of one's actions. Algebra, geometry, physics including mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, physiology and health are studied as well as European and African geography. English language skills are practiced through compostion writing as well as creative writing. Perspective drawing, woodworking with mallets, gouges and chisels, modeling the human hand and foot in clay, madrigals and oratorios are all introduced.
Grade 8
The American, French and Industrial Revolutions offer a historical foundation supporting students who at the age of adolescence begin to form opions, take positions and responsibility for themselves in a wider community. Geometry and algebra, physics, organic chemistry and physiology are studied as well as geography of Australia, Asia and Antarctica. English language sills are continued and applied to the writing of a research paper. Black and white drawing with charcoal, sewing a piece of clothing, making a stool, carved box or moveable toy from wood, sculpting the human head from clay, Greek wrestling and gymnastics with equipment are all introduced.
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