The Waldorf School of St. Louis
Second Grade

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, 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 continue, including watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, knitting, foreign language, 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: Foreign language, singing, pentatonic flute, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, knitting, physical education