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Waldorf
Education is based on the educational philosophy of
Rudolf Steiner. It is shared by over 900 Waldorf Schools throughout the world. We invite you to learn more (link here) about Waldorf Education.
Grade School
Philosophy
“Waldorf education stresses discipline and rigorous teaching methods. It is not a free and easy education. It may be artistic, but it requires a tremendous discipline. And by disciplining the will, through the curriculum in the classroom, children become prepared for life.”
– Rene Querido, Waldorf Educator
The second stage of childhood,
from the age of six or seven until around the age of 14, is a time when
feelings are of primary importance to children. Through their responses to
experience, they begin to understand the world. The intense physical activity
of the earlier years is gradually overtaken by a growing inwardness.
In each grade a full spectrum of academic subjects is taught not only
intellectually but experientially and artistically as well. The children's
journey of learning and self-discovery is guided by Waldorf-trained teachers
who consider each child's abilities and challenges individually, and educate to
meet the different developmental needs and readiness of each year of childhood
and early adolescence.
Grade School Day
A rhythmic, structured day remains
paramount in the grade school years. In the early grades, the day begins with
invigorating movement—perhaps skipping or clapping, and reciting together. The
children are then ready to be fully present for the "main lesson"—an
extended period of up to two hours when students are asked to do their most
concentrated thinking. Main lesson subjects (e.g. history, geography, math,
physics) last for three to four weeks, and then a new subject is introduced.
Mid-morning to lunch is dedicated to special-subject classes, taught in a way
that engages the whole child. These might include Japanese, music, drawing,
watercolor painting, singing and instrumental music. These lessons are either
once or twice a week on a consistent schedule that lasts the whole year. These
subjects support the subject of the main lesson whenever possible.
The afternoon is the time for energetic movement and busy hands. Woodwork,
handwork (knitting, sewing, etc.), clay modeling, and movement education act as
a balance to the intense concentration and thinking of the morning.
Throughout the day, the activities and approaches to subjects alternate between
an inner and an outward focus. It is an organic rhythm, much like breathing,
which allows learning to stir the children’s hearts and inspire their
imaginations.
Curriculum
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The Main Lesson
Curriculum
Language arts, history, math, and science are taught in blocks of 3-5
weeks during the morning main lesson hours when the children are freshest for
academic work. The class teacher, who presents these subjects, remains with
the same class throughout the elementary years, enabling close, secure
relationships with each childand an appreciation of individual needs. |
PRIMARY GRADES 1-3
Pictorial introduction to alphabet, writing, reading, spelling, poetry,
and drama.
Folk and fairy tales, fables, legends, old testament stories.
Numbers, basic mathematical processes of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
Nature stories, housebuilding, farming, and trades. |
MIDDLE GRADES 4-6
Writing, reading, spelling, syntax, grammar, poetry, and drama.
Norse sagas, history and stories of ancient civilizations culminating in
Greek and Roman history.
Review of the four mathematical processes, fractions (common and decimal),
percentage, and geometry.
Local and world geography, comparative zoology, botany, and elementary
physics. |
UPPER GRADES 7-8
Creative writing, reading, spelling, grammar, poetry, and drama.
Medieval history, the Renaissance, the Age of Discovery, American History,
biography.
Algebra, geometry, business math, graphing, ratio and proportion, number
bases.
Geography, physics, chemistry, astronomy, physiology, geology, and
minerology |
Main Campus
The main school campus is located
on the corner of
Maku’u Drive
&
26th Street
in
Hawaiian
Paradise
Park
.
The school day is from
8:00
to
2:30
(
12:30
on Fridays). Aftercare may be
available until
5:30 pm
.
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