Grades 1st - 5th

Pedagogical Overview

    • Math: Qualities of numbers, introduction to the four operations of arithmetic, geometric forms, whole number processes, counting rhythm and times tables 1 through 6 and 10

    • Literature and Grammar: Pictorial and phonetic introduction to the alphabet, word recognition, writing, poetry recitation, and fairy and folk tales from around the world

    • Science: Nature stories, nature walks, observations, gardening, local environment, seasons and visits to local farms and an indoor greenhouse

    • Performing Arts and Music: Recorder (which develops finger coordination and concentration), singing songs, poetry memorization, in-class drama and marionette performances

    • Art: Watercolor (which has an emphasis on working with color rather than creating formed pictures), beeswax modeling and crayon illustrations

    • Handwork: Knitting (which promotes hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, arithmetic skills, sequencing, patience, perseverance and self-esteem), seasonal crafts

    • Spanish: Introduced through plays, songs, rhythms, poems and games

    • History and Social Studies: Fairy and folk tales, rhymes, poems and songs

    • Geography: Spatial orientation and body geography

    • Movement: Circle games, yoga, eurhythmy and outside play

  • SECOND GRADE:

    • Math: Continue with four operations of arithmetic, story problems, number patterns, times tables 7 through 12, two digit multiplication, carrying and borrowing, written calculations

    • Literature and Grammar: Reading and writing, phonetics, elements of grammar, spelling, punctuation, animal fables, myths and legends of heroic people from around the world

    • Science: Nature stories, nature walks, observations, gardening, local environment, seasons, visits to local farms and an indoor greenhouse and animals

    • Performing Arts and Music: Recorder, singing songs, poetry memorization, in-class drama and marionette performances

    • Art: Form drawing, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawings

    • Spanish: Continuation of 1st grade adding vocabulary, counting, animals and colors

    • Handwork: Knitting patterns with multiple stitches, crocheting and seasonal crafts

    • History and Social Studies: Fairy and folk tales, legends, poems, songs and stories of heroic people

    • Geography: Natural studies

    • Movement: Rhythmic games, line games, yoga, eurhythmy and outside play

    • Math: Memorization of multiplication tables 1 through 12 continued and strengthened, weight, measure, length, volume, money, time, continued two and three digit multiplication and long division

    • Literature and Grammar: Elements of grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs), spelling, compositions, stories from ancient history and continued reading

    • Science: Gardening, soil, nature studies, animal husbandry, conservation, cooking, house building and visits to local farms and an indoor greenhouse

    • Performing Arts and Music: Recorder, singing in rounds, in-class skits, performance of annual class play and music notation

    • Art: Continue form drawing, painting, beeswax modeling, crayon and pencil drawing

    • Spanish: Integration into the core curriculum in songs, plays, poetry, conversations and vocabulary

    • Handwork: Crocheting patterns, hand sewing and seasonal crafts

    • History and Social Studies: Study of practical life to include house building, clothing and cooking around the world

    • Geography: History of farming and house building around the world

    • Movement: Traditional games, dancing, yoga, eurhythmy and outside play

    • Math: Continuation of long division, fractions, averages, factoring

    • Literature and Grammar: Elements of grammar, spelling and punctuation, book reports, creative writing, composition, Norse and Finnish mythology, Indian Legends and local history

    • Science: Zoology, animals in their environment, continuation of gardening and nature studies

    • Performing Arts and Music: Singing and recorder in rounds, possible addition of violin/cello, music theory, choir, reading music notation

    • Art: Advanced form drawing, painting and clay modeling

    • Spanish: Continued songs, plays, poetry, conversations, cultural activities, vocabulary, beginning writing and reading

    • Handwork: Cross-stitch, embroidery, knotting and braiding

    • History and Social Studies: Local Wisconsin history

    • Geography: Local Wisconsin geography and map making

    • Movement: Yoga, folk dancing and relay races

    • Math: Decimals, fractions, metric system, geometry as it developed in ancient cultures

    • Literature and Grammar: Spelling, sentence structure, descriptive writing, punctuation and compositions, Greek, Indian, Persian and Egyptian myths; business letter writing and report writing

    • Science: Botany, inductive method, continuation of garden and nature studies

    • Performing Arts and Music: Recorder, violin/cello and 3-part choir

    • Art: Freehand geometric drawing, painting, clay modeling and drawing

    • Spanish: Continued songs, plays, poetry, conversations, cultural activities, vocabulary, writing and reading

    • Handwork: Knitting in rounds, knitting socks, hats and mittens and woodcarving

    • History and Social Studies: Mythology and life in ancient civilizations from ancient India through ancient Greece, Greek history through Alexander the Great

    • Geography: North American geography as related to vegetation, agriculture, culture and economics

    • Technology: Computer skills and use will be part of the Main Lesson

    • Movement: Archery and Greek Pentathlon games preparations