Grade School Curriculum Overview

The Waldorf approach to education encourages the development of the whole child, nurturing the emotional and physical life along with the intellectual and spiritual.   The curriculum recognizes that children pass through distinct developmental stages, providing appropriate lessons which are created artistically by Waldorf-trained teachers and presented in a supportive, structured environment.  The following is a brief summary of main subjects by grade, with specialty subjects detailed at the end.  Please refer to our more detailed curriculum pages by grade.

Grade One
Main Lesson Blocks:   Form drawing, Mathematics, Reading/Writing
Stories:   Fairy Tales, Aboriginal stories

Grade Two
Main Lesson Blocks:   Form Drawing, Mathematics, Reading/Writing
Stories:   Fables, Legends, Saint Stories

Grade Three
Main Lesson Blocks:   Form Drawing, Mathematics, Grammar, Farming, Housing, Gardening, Textiles
Stories:   Old Testament/Hebrew stories

Grade Four
Main Lesson Blocks:   Mathematics, Grammar, Human Being and Animal. Local History and Geography
Stories:  Norse Mythology

Grade Five
Main Lesson Blocks:   Mathematics, Geometry, Writing, Grammar, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Geography, History -  Ancient civilizations including Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, Greece

Grade Six
Main Lesson Blocks:  Mathematics, Geometry, Writing, Grammar, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Geography, History-  Roman, Middle Ages

Grade Seven
Main Lesson Blocks:   Mathematics, Geometry, Writing, Grammar, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, Geography, Perspective Drawing, History:  Renaissance

Grade Eight
Main Lesson Blocks:   Mathematics; Geometry; Writing, Grammar, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, Geography, History:  The Revolutions to present

Specialty Subjects:

Languages: French and German

Music: singing, choir, recorder

Fine Arts: watercolour painting, drawing, form drawing (free hand geometric and other forms), modelling

Drama: curriculum-based play each year

Handwork: knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, weaving, hand- and machine- sewing

Woodwork: (grade five and up) handcarving, small building projects

Physical Education: nature walks and significant outdoor play, co-operative games, a variety of seasonal sports and activities, gardening