Overview of Grades
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
Foreign Language: German (Grades 1-8)
Handwork: knitting, felting, sewing, crochet, cross stitch, basic weaving, woodworking (Grades 1-8)
Music: recorder (Grades 1 & 2), pentatonic flute (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 1-8); basketball and baseball (Middle School)
Drama: all students have parts in an annual class play based on a main lesson block (Grades 1-8)