Children aged seven to fourteen learn best through their imaginations.  In the Waldorf approach to education, knowledge is presented through activities which capture and enliven children’s imaginations and channel their abundant energy in a disciplined and creative way. The arts are integrated into the entire academic curriculum, including math and science. The Waldorf curriculum helps both intellectual and creative development and generates an inner enthusiasm for learning.

Year by year, the curriculum expands with the maturing child, matching themes that mirror the child’s inner development with skills, knowledge, and modes of expression appropriate to his or her age.

Curriculum

The following is a general outline of topics as they are studied in grades 1 through 6. 

Grade One

Main Lesson Subjects

Introduction to the alphabet and writing; introduction to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; fairy tales, folk tales, and nature stories.

Special subjects

Language, music, movement, watercolor painting, drawing, modeling, knitting, rhythm exercises, form drawing, nature walks, games.

Grade Two

Main Lesson Subjects

Writing, reading and love of literature; Arithmetic: multiplication tables, work with four processes, including carrying and borrowing; fables, legends and stories of Saints.

Special subjects

Language, music, movement, watercolor painting, drawing, modeling, knitting, crocheting, games, form drawing, crafts, nature walks.

Grade Three

Main Lesson Subjects

Literacy, elements of grammar; arithmetic: long division & multiplication, add and subtract columns; measurement, time, calendar; farming, gardening, and house building.

Special subjects

Foreign language, music (focus on notation of rhythm & notes), movement, painting, knitting and crocheting (additional skills), games/physical education, form and geometric drawing, gardening.

Grade Four

Main Lesson Subjects

Arithmetic: fractions; reading, grammar, spelling, composition, dramatization; local geography and history; Norse mythology and sagas; study of humans and animals.

Special Subjects

Foreign language: grammar and reading, music (songs in parts, tenor and alto recorders), movement, painting, embroidery, hand sewing and cross-stitch, physical education, form drawing, gardening.

Grade Five

Main Lesson Subjects

North America Geography, Botany, Ancient Civilizations; Arithmetic: fractions, decimals, geometry; Independent composition: writing and grammar.

Special Subjects

Foreign language: grammar and reading, music (songs in parts, tenor and alto recorders, and introduction to strings), movement, painting, embroidery, hand sewing and cross-stitch, physical education, form drawing, gardening.

Grade Six

Main Lesson Subjects

History of Rome and Middle Ages, Botany, Ancient Civilizations; Arithmetic: percentage and ration, business math, geometry); Geography of Latin America; Science of astronomy, physics and geology; Literature and Independent composition: writing and grammar.

Special Subjects

Foreign language; Music; Eurythmy; Painting; Handwork; Woodworking; physical education, form drawing, gardening.

*Azalea Mountain will add a grade each year to build to Grade Eight.  Following Waldorf practice, grade teachers move up with their classes, making possible a deep understanding of each child.