Grades

Eurythmy is a movement art that creates a visual expression of the sounds, words and rhythms in poetry, stories and music. All students in Waldorf schools, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, receive Eurythmy lessons on a regular basis. Eurythmy exercises are carefully crafted to support each stage of the developing child, and lessons reflect and enrich the specific curriculum being taught to each grade. Children doing Eurythmy will experience the words and music that they are performing on a more meaningful, feeling level.

Amy Schick has been teaching at Sanderling Waldorf School since its inception as a home-based parent-tot group in 1996. Amy completed her Foundation Year at Rudolf Steiner College, followed by a four-year training in Eurythmy at Spring Valley, NY. She also completed her pedagogical Eurythmy Training at Emerson College in England. Amy has taught Eurythmy at Waldorf Schools in Santa Barbara, San Diego and at the Journey School, a charter Waldorf School in Aliso Viejo, CA. She also writes a blog on Eurythmy, and her work in the classroom.

Singing is part of every day. Simple melodies in early grades progress to learning rounds and songs with two or more parts in the older grades. The pentatonic flute is introduced in first grade; the diatonic flute and soprano recorder in grade 3; as well as a choice of a stringed instrument (violin, viola or cello). The teaching of music notation also begins in 3rd grade. As the children progress through later grades, they add descant, alto and tenor recorders, continue to perform in a strings orchestra, and sing increasingly complex 2 and 3-part choral works.

Working with the hands is an essential component of the Waldorf curriculum. It develops fine motor skills; persistence and perseverance; and strengthens related brain functions. Handwork includes knitting, purling, crocheting, spinning, simple weaving, cross stitch, four needle knitting, hand sewing, felting, needle felting, woodworking, doll making, and machine sewing. Beginning in fourth grade, the handwork program includes woodworking and carving.

Sports and games allow the students to develop a healthy sense of self and space and to move with intention. The early grades offer social and rhythmic games, circle games, hand-clapping games, bean bag activities, and jump ropes. The emphasis of games in the early grades is on working together as a group, and the games become increasingly more individualized in the middle school years. The 5th grade learns the events of the Greek pentathlon: javelin, discus, long jump, wrestling, and running. In May, they join other Southern California Waldorf schools in an Olympiad. Lower grade students have recess outside twice a day regardless of weather. Sixth grade brings a focus on medieval games, with a similar Spring contest of area Waldorf schools.

Gardening

In 3rd grade, students take a weekly Gardening class in which they participate in creating raised beds, planting, weeding, and harvesting a vegetable garden. They work with the compost created from the school's lunch scraps to fertilize the grounds, and keep the front area of the school neat and tidy. This form of experiential learning deepens the child's connection to nature and gives hands-on lessons in sustainability and responsibility.

Children begin learning both German and Spanish in first grade through twice-weekly classes (for both languages) including songs, verses, stories, festivals and games. This presentation mirrors the way children learn their own native language. In 3rd through 5th grade, the written language and reading are added; and in middle school, grammar enters the curriculum. Children spend Grades 1-4 taking both languages two times per week, and move on to single Spanish classes three times per week beginning in 5th grade. Throughout the eight years, the emphasis of the curriculum is on exposing the children to a different culture and on instilling a love of the language and culture.