Special Events
	HANDWORK AND PRACTICAL ARTS The handwork and practical arts curriculum in the Waldorf school stimulates the creative powers while establishing esthetic confidence through a conscious guidance of the student's developing will. These "will" activities lay the foundation for thinking. Recent neurological research confirms that mobility and dexterity in the fine motor muscles, especially in the hands, stimulates cellular development in the brain and strengthens the physical instrument of thinking. EURYTHMY AND SPATIAL DYNAMICS It is a golden rule in Waldorf education that learning begins with movement, and in this respect eurythmy and spatial dynamics are the handmaids of all other subjects in the curriculum. When learning grammar students will come to terms with past, present and future, learn the difference between active and passive, and realize the function of verb, noun and adjective. Specialized movement activities, including games, meet these fine distinctions so that the lessons of grammar enter into the domain of the whole child. This is a form of knowledge enshrined in the old phrase "to know it in your bones" so different from merely knowing it in your head. Similarly in music, the inner response to rhythm and beat, major and minor moods, and melody are carried into the activity of the limbs. Eurythmy is the archetypal and universal inner life of humanity made visible in the world through movements of the body. Eurythmy nourishes the human soul by validating its existence and experiences. FOREIGN LANGUAGE Foreign language instruction begins in the first grade with a mini-immersion class twice a week. Natural aptitude for language is wonderful at this age; we cultivate it in songs, dances, verse, games and seasonal ditties. The experiential nature of foreign language classe continues through the grades, with reading, writing and grammar taught beginning in the fourth grade. Classes are conducted as much as possible in the foreign language. While the primary aim is to create a cultural experience that nourishes the child’s curiosity about the world and strengthens his patience with and empathy for whatever may be foreign, a basis for future proficiency is formed, often with a very pretty accent. WOODWORKING SWS provides woodworking for grades 5,6,7 & 8. The projects are a spatula, spoon, three-legged stool and carved bowl in that order. It is all done with handtools. As with all handwork in the Waldorf cirriculum it is developmental rather than a training. It is a scientific fact that brain development has a direct relationship to working with one's hands. It is also evident that pride of accomplishment and self-esteem come from the challenges of creating an object of practical beauty. These qualities cannot be given but must be arrived at empirically. Our students are justifiably proud of the work that they do. This is the basis and outcome of our woodworking program which is in it's seventh year. MUSIC  Continue scrolling through the grades to better understand the phases of development and learning that Waldorf students experience.  Kindergarten | 1st grade | 2nd grade | 3rd grade | 4th grade | 5th grade | 6th grade | 7th grade | 8th grade |Specialties | Back