Curriculum Grades 1-5

THE GRADES (1-5) CURRICULUM

GRADE ONE
Underlying all work in first grade is the teacher's understanding that the 6-year-old child possesses a connectedness with all the things around them and experiences their environment with a sense of wholeness. Stories, rhythmic movement, concrete manipulative work, and artistic activities provide the basic pathway for learning with this age group. The lessons are designed to cultivate wonder and joy in a first grader's creative awakening to letters, numbers, writing, foreign language, movement, knitting, painting, drawing, and music.

GRADE TWO
In addressing this age the teacher understands that the student's experience is shifting from a feeling of completeness with their environment to seeing how their individual actions affect the world. To meet this changing consciousness lessons are structured around two central themes to subconsciously illustrate the dichotomy of the human experience. Fables are told to exemplify the lower nature of foolishness and petty feelings, while legends of the saints are told to exemplify the striving towards the noblest of human qualities.

GRADE THREE
Studies for the third grader become more realistic in nature with abundant opportunities for practical application. An underlying focus in the third grade curriculum is to present subjects emphasizing the interrelationship of all forms of life and fostering a reverence of mutual support within these ties. By exploring basic human necessities for living on our earth, along with developing an appreciation of the hard work that is needed to supply these needs the third grade student experiences a wonderful year of practical learning!

GRADE FOUR
Between the ninth and tenth year the child now experiences themselves as an individual. They are becoming more conscious of personality traits in themselves and others. Children at this time will often seek a "hero" to worship - admiring their personal strength and courage. The curriculum meets these needs by focusing on the rugged myths of the powerful Norse gods and goddesses.

Somewhere within the 10th year the child gains the ability to make a clear distinction between their personal inner world and an outer reality. Therefore, the fourth grade curriculum also focuses on studying local geography (and history). Beginning with their immediate surroundings in the classroom and broadening out into the neighborhood, city, and state the fourth grade student develops a gradual understanding of their place in the greater world.

GRADE FIVE
The fifth grade child comes to a place of developmental balance. This year preceding the entrance to middle school offers a picture of the golden age of childhood. It is a time of general comfort in consciousness as well as a more graceful experience of their physical development.

The central theme for the fifth grade explores ancient civilizations. The fifth grader examines the myths, deeds, and strivings of humankind from a temporal historical perspective. As a culminating mark to this year our students join other regional Waldorf schools to participate in a Greek Olympic Event. This fantastic experience offers the fifth-grade student the opportunity to hone their mental, spiritual, and physical capacities while striving for individual balance and excellence.