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.

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 more 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, running. In May, they join other Waldorf schools in an Olympiad. Lower grade students have recess outside twice a day regardless of weather.

Children begin learning German and Spanish in first grade through 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. 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.