The Curriculum of the Steiner School

The Curriculum of the Steiner School
updated January 1, 2023


Recorded here is my own personal collection of articles, resources, favorite links, teaching ideas, and lesson plans. It encompasses many years, from the very beginning of my experience studying and learning about Waldorf to the present time. People from all around the world visit my site and recommend it to others. Welcome!

This site records my journey. I hope my honesty is encouraging and helps break down some barriers that may prevent people from trying Waldorf methods. Because this is an ongoing site documenting my curriculum planning and ideas, some materials are more Waldorf-y than others. Please feel free to take what you like and leave the rest.


Pine Hill Waldorf School - nice overview of the highlights of each year


See also
Phases and Transitions in Waldorf Education (PDF)
by Harlan Gilbert

Grades Curriculum links on The Waldorf Method page
High School Curriculum links on The Waldorf Method page

*NEW* browse through my collection of Pinterest Boards with samples of chalkboard drawings and main lesson book pages for many blocks


First Grade

  • Form Drawing
  • Writing: introduction to the alphabet
    block capital letters
  • Mathematics:
    the quality of numbers,
    counting to 100,
    Roman and Arabic numerals,
    the four processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
  • Nature Study
  • Singing and introduction to the Recorder
  • Handwork: Knitting
  • Eurythmy
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting, Beeswax Modelling, Crayon Drawing


Second Grade

  • English:
    fables from around the world,
    study of the saints,
    introduction to reading,
    grammar
  • Mathematics:
    continuing work with the four processes,
    Column Algorithms
  • Form Drawing
    running forms, leading to cursive handwriting
  • Nature Study:
    through Aesop's fables,
    work of Thornton W. Burgess,
    Native American stories
  • Singing and Recorder
  • Handwork: Knitting, Crochet
  • Eurythmy
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting and Modelling


Third Grade

  • English: intensive study of grammar
  • Structured Word Inquiry
  • Writing: introduction to cursive handwriting
  • Mathematics of Practical Life:
    Time, Temperature, Weight & Volume,
    linear measurement (integrated into Housebuilding),
    Trade Goods & The Development of Currency
  • Form Drawing
  • Social and Environmental Studies:
    Farming & Gardening,
    Housebuilding
    Fibers & Clothing
  • Cultural Studies: stories of the Old Testament, Jewish festivals
  • Drama
  • Singing: singing in rounds
  • Recorder
  • Handwork: Spinning, Weaving
  • Eurythmy
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting
  • Sports


Fourth Grade

  • English:
    work in grammar continues
    introduction to composition writing through personal narratives
  • Tall Tales (which ties in nicely with Local Industry)
  • Geography and Local History/Industry - map skills, landforms & water features
  • Zoology: comparative study of human being and other animals
  • Cultural Studies: Norse mythology
  • Mathematics: Introduction to Fractions
  • Form Drawing: Celtic knots
  • Singing: singing two-part songs
  • Orchestra: choosing a string instrument
  • Handwork: Embroidery, Cross Stitch, Macrame
  • Eurythmy
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting
  • Sports


Fifth Grade

  • Ancient Cultures - Mythology -
    India
    Persia
    Mesopotamia
    Egypt
    Greece
  • American Geography - Biomes
  • Botany
  • Geometry
  • Mathematics: Fractions and Decimals
  • Singing and Orchestra
  • Handwork:
    Woodworking
    Knitting
  • Eurythmy
  • English: reading, writing, and grammar
  • Composition: Friendly Letters
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting
  • Sports


Sixth Grade

  • History - the transition from ancient to modern:
    Greek history,
    the decline of Greece,
    the rise and fall of Rome, and
    the effects of these cultures on European civilization up through the Middle Ages
  • World Geography (continents, oceans, flags of the world)
  • Geology
  • Astronomy
  • Physics:
    Acoustics
    Optics
  • Geometry
  • Business Mathematics: Formulas, Percents, Graphing
  • Singing and Orchestra
  • Handwork: Woodworking
  • Eurythmy
  • English: reading, writing, and grammar
    Composition: Business Letters
    this is also a good time to begin keyboarding, if desired
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting
  • Sports


Seventh Grade

  • History - Renaissance and Reformation, the Age of Exploration
  • World Geography
    Africa
  • Physics:
    Mechanics
    Inorganic Chemistry
    Physiology
  • Geometry
  • Mathematics: Ratios, Algebra
    Negative Numbers
    Square and Cube Roots
  • Singing and Orchestra
  • Handwork:
    Embroidery
    Carving
    Clay Modeling
  • Eurythmy: ballads, drama, tragedy
  • English
  • Composition: Creative Writing
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting
  • Sports


Eighth Grade

  • History - the Industrial Revolution to the present day
  • Geography as related to World Economics
  • World Religions
  • Physics:
    Acoustics
    Thermodynamics
    Mechanics
    Electricity and Magnetism
    Hydraulics
    Aerodynamics
    Meteorology
  • Ecology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physiology
  • Geometry: measurement of surfaces and volume
  • Mathematics: practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry
    Graphing
  • Singing and Orchestra:
    Elizabethan Music
    American Music
    Symphonic Form
  • Handwork:
    Machine Sewing
    Darning
    Artistic Hand-Sewing Projects
    Soapstone Carvings
    Carpentry
  • Eurythmy: poems with contrasting moods
  • English: the short story, famous speeches, Shakespearean drama
  • Composition: Persuasive Writing, Essays
  • Foreign Language
  • Painting: highlights and shadows in portraits and landscapes
  • Sports


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