Overview of Grade School Academics

Lower Grades:

Grade 1

  • Pictorial & phonetic introduction to letters
  • Reading through writing
  • Arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division
  • Fairy tales, folk tales, & nature stories
  • Detailed grade 1 description

 

 

 

 Grade 2

  • Reading & writing
  • Multiplication tables
  • Number patterns, forms, & values
  • Legends & fables
  • Nature stories – as a foundation for science
  • Detailed grade 2 description

 

 

 

 

Grade 3

  • Reading & Spelling
  • Composition, grammar, & punctuation
  • Parts of speech & cursive writing
  • Multiplication of higher numbers
  • Weight, measurement, & money
  • Time & calendar
  • Farming, housing, & clothing
  • Stories from the Hebrew books of the Bible
  • Detailed grade 3 description

 

 

 

 

Grade 4 

  • Composition
  • Grammar & spelling
  • Introduction to fractions
  • Zoology – the animal kingdom
  • Local history
  • Norse myths & sagas
  • Detailed grade 4 description

 

 

 Grade 5

  • Composition & grammar
  • Letter writing
  • Research & library skills
  • Fractions & decimals
  • Freehand geometry
  • Botany – the plant kingdom
  • Physical & economic geography
  • Ancient civilizations – India through Greece
  • Detailed grade 5 description

 

 

 

Middle School:

Grade 6

  • Essay writing
  • Earth science & astronomy
  • Business math, pre-algebra, & geometry
  • Physics
  • Physical & economic geography
  • Roman & Medieval history
  • Detailed grade 6 description

 

 

 

 

Grade 7 

  • Creative writing, essays, & grammar
  • Algebra & geometry
  • Physics & chemistry
  • Biology – human physiology & health
  • Cultural geography
  • Renaissance, Reformation & Age of Discovery
  • Detailed grade 7 description

  


 Grade 8

  • Creative & expository writing
  • News reporting
  • Algebra & geometry
  • Physics & chemistry
  • Biology – human anatomy
  • Cultural geography
  • History – 1600 to present
  • Student designed individual study
  • Detailed grade 8 description

 

 

 

A year-by-year chart of the Waldorf curriculum that is used by all Waldorf schools can be found here. 

 

Subjects of Special Study at Cape Ann Waldorf School Are Integrated with and Support the Main Lesson Academic Work (Above)

Foreign Language: German (Grades 1-8), Spanish (Grades 4-8)

Handwork: knitting, felting, sewing, crochet, cross stitch, basic weaving, woodworking (Grades 1-8)

Music: flute (Grades 1 & 2), recorder (Grades 3-8), stringed instruments (Grades 3-8), chorus (Middle School)

Art: wet-on-wet watercolor painting, form drawing, beeswax and clay modeling, perspective drawing (Grades 1-8)

Movement: eurythmy, Bothmer gymnastics, group games (Grades 1-5); Olympic pentathlon (5), sports (6-8), afterschool cross country and basketball (6-8)

Drama: all students have parts in an annual class play based on a main lesson block (Grades 1-8)