Parent/Infant Group
This class helps parents learn to better observe, understand, respect and enjoy the unique individualities of their infants. Small groups of six to eight children and their caregivers meet once a week for one and a half hours. Babies are grouped according to their stages of motor development. Floor-bound infants and toddlers are in separate groups. Parents reinforce baby's self-initiated activities by paying full attention and being quietly available.
Joyful Child Playgroup
Parents with children ages 1 ½ to 3 years meet once a week
to enjoy a peaceful experience enriched with song, verses, snack and
conversation. Within the framework of Waldorf education, the playgroup
is structured to provide a gentle transition from the life of home
to the life of a classroom.
Kindergarten Children
4 through 6 are welcomed into this gentle and beautiful setting that provides a homelike environment with bread baking, table-setting, fantasy play, story time, songs and rhythmic activities that speak to the heart of the child and give a solid foundation for eventual entry into first grade.
Grade One
This beginning class offers pictorial introduction to the alphabet, writing, poetry, and drama, folk and fairy tales, nature stories, numbers and the basic mathematical processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Also offered: Spanish and German, flute playing, singing, recitation, rhythmic movement, knitting, games, painting, drawing, modeling and puppetry
Grade Two
Continues the work of first grade, addressing the stage of pictorial thinking and offers writing, reading, poetry, drama, fables, legends, nature stories, work with the four mathematical processes, time-telling, calendar work, place value, Spanish, German, flute playing, singing, recitation, rhythmic movement, knitting, crocheting, games, painting, drawing, modeling and poetry.
Grade Three
Builds on the work of the first two grades, continuing work in the
four processes, cursive writing, grammar, reading, poetry, drama,
Old Testament stories, farming and house building, Spanish, German,
flute playing and transitioning to recorder playing, singing, music
notation, recitation, rhythmic movement,, knitting with two or three
needles, games, painting, drawing, modeling and poetry
Grade Four
Enhances spelling, reading, grammar and composition skills from
third grade. Work continues in the four processes and fractions
are introduced. In geography, students learn about their home state
and surroundings. Human and Animal begins the study of zoology.
The Norse Myths are the foundation of the story curriculum.
Grade Five
Continues skill building in English. Decimals are introduced, and
earlier skills are strengthened. The geography of the United States
is studied. Students are introduced to Botany. The civilizations,
cultures and myths of India, Persia, Egypt and Greece are studied.
A special emphasis on ancient Greek History and Olympic training
round out the curriculum.
Activities Offered for Families
School of the Suncoast offers family festivals that center around the four seasons of the year: Michaelmas in the fall, the Advent Spiral Garden in the winter, May Faire in the spring and Holiday Faire and Open House is held in November and gives families and friends an opportunity to purchase hand made natural toys and home baked goodies for the holidays.
Parent Enrichment Classes cover such topics as "Establishing Rhythm in the Home," "Discipline With Love," "How to Nurture Healthy Play," "The Harmful Effects of the Media," "The Temperaments of Children," "Gardening with Children"
Handwork Classes are held for parents who wish to learn how to sew the "Waldorf dolls" and other handmade toys.
Parents are invited to participate in silk marionette puppetry
Lectures on Waldorf education given by master Waldorf teachers from around the country to deepen parents' understanding of child development and the Waldorf curriculum
Potluck suppers for families
Fundraising activities
Workdays at the school to clean beautify the grounds and buildings
Lazuring classes - a painting technique that layers acrylic paint over a white surface to give a living translucent effect
