“The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art – it must speak to the child’s experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind.”
– Rudolf Steiner, Founder of Waldorf Education
Windsong’s curriculum provides a synthesized approach to a wide range of academic subjects including literacy instruction, mathematics, the sciences, history, geography, and foreign languages. The fine and practical arts, music, and movement are infused through all parts of the academic curriculum and are also standalone subjects taught by specialty teachers. The developmental needs of the child provide the framework for the curriculum, daily schedule, and the way in which all subjects are brought to the children.
The focus each morning is the main lesson, where reading, writing, math, history, geography, and the sciences are taught. Though the curriculum is masterfully integrated, students focus on one subject at a time more intensely in block rotations, and recapitulate previous learning in a future block to more deeply integrate what has been learned. Students design, write, and illustrate textbooks for each subject – these “main lesson books” become cherished keepsakes and a source of well-earned pride for the children.
Form drawing is practiced to support reading, writing, spatial discrimination, the development of concentration and an appreciation for beautiful, precise work.
Rather than traditional report cards with letter grades, grades teachers provide parents with an End of Year Report, a thorough written description of a student’s academic progress and personal growth. Homework is given at the teacher’s discretion, and it is not unusual for students to begin receiving substantial homework starting in sixth grade. Delaying and reducing homework demands is done in order for the children to continue to reap the lifelong benefits of play, family interaction, and contribution to household chores. Windsong School does not administer standardized state tests. Teachers plan formative and summative assessments to augment careful classroom observations, and learning specialists from Waldorf Schools may be invited to provide helpful developmental and academic observations. As students and teacher travel together through the grades they trace the arc of human development and learn the true meaning of community.
Grades classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To learn more about Windsong’s curriculum and what to expect grade by grade, take a peek at our curriculum chart and visit our grade specific pages.
Windsong Grades Curriculum Chart
