Elementary School

Scroll down to view our school curriculum for grades 1-5

In first grade, children’s imagination and sense of wonder coexist with their emerging interest and curiosity in traditional academic subjects. Our first grade curriculum is rich in multi-sensory experiences and meets each student’s innate curiosity and desire to grow. In first grade, students establish foundational habits that support future learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout this special year of “beginnings,” the teacher and students cultivate an ever-deepening student-teacher relationship. They also work together to form a socially cohesive classroom unit.  

In language arts, students are introduced to consonants, vowels, and phonics through imaginative, engaging stories and artistic mediums such as drawing, watercolor painting, and beeswax modeling.  In math, students explore math processes, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, through storytelling and art. Science is presented through nature stories and nature walks. French and German are introduced through songs, poems, and games. In physical education, students play group games to support the class’s development as a cohesive group. Through movement in physical education, students practice rhythm to support their understanding of language and numbers. Additionally, physical activity fuels students’ imagination and creativity. In handwork, students learn to knit, and they complete various handwork projects, such as a flute case. Singing and playing the pentatonic flute round out a first grader’s school days.

Main Lesson Topics:  the alphabet, writing, reading, speaking, listening comprehension, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fairy, and folk tales, nature stories, nature walks

Special Subject Lessons:  French, German, singing, pentatonic flute, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, knitting, physical education

In second grade, children experience a time of discovery as they develop a new-found alertness and keener observation skills. Students become conscious of the positive and negative qualities in themselves and others. To support students’ greater awareness, the curriculum strives to harmonize polarities, so that students may develop a sense of wholeness.

In language arts, children continue to study the richness of language by exploring vowel teams, silent (“trickster”) letters, and word families.  Cursive writing is introduced. In math, children continue working with the four processes and are introduced to place value, which prepares them for carrying and borrowing.  In history, students explore the legends of saints and fables, and through stories, students strengthen their understanding of contrasting human qualities as characters overcome obstacles and limitations. The science curriculum continues to feature nature stories and nature walks, both of which allow children to explore the world.  Each of the special subject lessons from first grade continues, including watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, knitting, French, German, physical education, singing, and pentatonic flute continue.

Main Lesson Topics: vocabulary, phonemic awareness, poetry, drama, place value, word problems, estimation, fables, and saint stories, nature stories, nature walks

Special Subject Lessons: French, German, singing, pentatonic flute, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, knitting, physical education 

In third grade, literacy and math skills flourish and children gain strength. Third graders experience a profound internal change as their sense of individuality emerges. With this emergence of self, children may feel more separate and distinct from caregivers and others. Consequently, your child may experience feelings of separation or loneliness. The third grade curriculum is designed to help children stand as individuals and be confident in their ability to become valued members of the community.

In history, students hear stories from the Old Testament. The stories are intended to mirror the conflicts that students themselves face: The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is told to illustrate separation from the parental home, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil illuminates the import of individual good deeds and how the laws of community unfold. In social and natural sciences, students learn about home building and farming; these lessons demonstrate how basic human needs are met. In math, the topics of long division, multiplication, and measurement are studied. The topic of measurement includes the study of time, which encompasses how people orient themselves on Earth and mark the passage of time. In language arts, students are introduced to spelling and the parts of speech, both of which facilitate independent writing skills.  Third grade students continue to study world languages, learn to play the violin and soprano recorder, learn crocheting, and continue to work on all forms of fine art. In physical education, which includes circus arts from grades 3 - 8, students are introduced to collaborative games. Students also participate in a class play, which is related to their studies and brings forth each student’s innate gifts.        

Main Lesson Topics: spelling, cursive, parts of speech, sentence structure, measurement, long division and multiplication, Old Testament stories, folk and Native American tales, drama, farming, shelter building, garden plants

Special Subject Lessons: French, German, singing, violin, recorder, watercolor painting, beeswax and clay modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, crocheting, physical education, nature exploration

In fourth grade, children are confident, vigorous, and eager.  Children’s ability to reason objectively develops and their power of perception sharpens. Students in fourth grade emerge as individuals with strong personalities, distinct gifts and talents, and individual challenges. They have an adventurous spirit, are full of curiosity, and are eager to explore their ever-expanding creativity and capacity to learn. To meet students’ burgeoning individuality and energy, the curriculum is designed to inspire students to discover their place in the world.   

The study of local geography helps children understand their physical place in the world.  In science, through the topic of zoology, students study animals’ specialized skills and behaviors and compare and contrast animals’ way of life to human’s way of life. In language arts, verb tense is introduced and students find kindred spirits in the characters of Norse mythology who meet life with courage, compassion, sacrifice, and occasionally, cleverness runs amok.  The study of math includes fractions which might be demonstrated by making and cutting up pizzas. The abstract concept of fractions becomes increasingly important as children grapple with the fact that their world is no longer whole. Students also practice fractions through music by reading “musical fractions “ during violin lessons. Physical education is filled with opportunities to show courage, cleverness, sacrifice, teamwork, and strategic cooperation.  Studies in foreign language, handwork, and artistic work in many mediums continue and are tied to main lesson topics. Music education continues to include singing, violin, and recorder. Students’ singing lessons involve canons, rounds, and harmonies, which are beautiful ways to blend students’ emerging individuality.

Main Lesson Topics: verb tenses, Norse mythology, non-fiction, drama, fractions, factors, long division and multiplication, freehand geometric drawing, zoology

Special Subject Lessons: Foreign language, singing, pentatonic flute, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, embroidery, cross-stitch knots and braiding, physical education, nature exploration

In fifth grade, children are enthusiastic about learning, eager for new challenges, capable of hard work, and confident in academics, art, and movement.  Fifth graders exhibit a growing interest in complex questions related to life. They stand perfectly balanced: at ease in the world because they have found harmony within themselves, their environment, and their relationships. The fifth grade curriculum meets this “golden age” through a fine-tuned balance of academic, artistic, and movement work.  

Children study botany, a subject that invites them to find the balance between scientific observation and an appreciation for the beauty in nature. Language arts lessons, which include writing compositions, are based on the history of ancient civilizations such as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.  By studying civilizations in chronological order, children experience through stories an evolution of human consciousness that meets their growing interest in the complex questions about life.  At the end of the year, the study of Greece represents a balance between physical skill and beauty, art and science, and Earthly life and spirituality. Children participate in a Greek Pentathlon with students from other Waldorf schools.  Math includes decimals, fractions, prime and composite numbers, and the metric system. The study of foreign language continues, and children are able to dive into more complex vocabulary and simple conversations. New mediums in art (oil pastels and pencils) and new handwork skills (woodworking and knitting in the round) allow children to take on new challenges.  In addition to singing and playing the recorder, children also have the option of transitioning to viola or cello.

Main Lesson Topics:  writing composition, ancient mythology, drama, decimals, fractions, prime and composite numbers, metric system, fundamentals of geometry, ancient civilizations, Greek mythology and history, North American geography, botany, insects

Special Subject Lessons:  Foreign language, singing, orchestra, recorder, watercolor painting, clay modeling, colored and graphite pencils, oil pastels, knitting in the round, woodworking, physical education, nature exploration