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

• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8

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