Middle School Curriculum
Waldorf middle school curriculum focuses on nurturing critical thinking and social capacities through a developmental approach, emphasizing arts integration, experiential learning, and block-based Main Lessons that build deep understanding in subjects like history, science, and math, while also including practical skills in handwork, woodwork, and music, all designed to meet the evolving intellectual and emotional needs of pre-adolescents. See curriculum details by grade below or click here for our curriculum one sheet.
Grade 5
Language Arts: Students focus on parts of speech syntax, research papers, vocabulary & spelling. Multidisciplinary teaching methods are used (such as movement, recitation, theater, art, music, etc.). Lessons relate to the History, Science and Math block.
Mathematics: Teaching focused on decimals, fractions, mixed numbers and the metric system. Lessons are taught through multidisciplinary methods (such as movement, recitation, manipulatives, music, cooking, etc.)
Science: A great expansion of botany is studied including seed, tree and other plant life in all stages and great detail. Animal environmental adaptation is discussed.
Spanish: Grammar, simple text, syntax and short descriptions are taught while leveraging multidisciplinary methods (such as movement, music and art, etc.).
History & Geography: Ancient cultures of North America, India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and China are studied through stories, writing, note copying, reading, project work, theater, music and art.
Music: Students continue recorder, violin and layer multi-part vocals into choir. Students also learn the major and minor scale and Greek music as related to the Literature and History block.
Art & Handwork: The class studies complex form drawing, geometric drawing, watercolor painting, chain stitch, clay and students begin woodworking
Movement: The focus is on preparing for the Greek Pentathlon, which introduces competitive sporting through traditional, ancient track & field events. Eurythmy work expands and continues.
Grade 6
Language Arts: Advanced grammar, composition, exposition, narration, description, outlining & vocabulary. Multidisciplinary teaching methods are used (such as movement, recitation, theater, art, music, etc.). Lessons relate to the History, Science and Math block.
Mathematics: Practical application, geometry & beginning algebra are the focus. Lessons are taught through multidisciplinary methods (such as movement, recitation, manipulatives, music, cooking, etc.)
Science: Astronomy, physics and geology are learned via reading, researching, writing, experimentation, Socratic inquiry, art and field trips.
Spanish: Students begin to read texts, stories and write language via translations.
History & Geography: The historical period from 1000 BCE – 1400 ACE is studied through cultures in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Political organization, the results of expanding and contact between civilizations, and the geography of those areas is introduced.
Music: Students learn both alto and tenor recorders, orchestra, choir, minstrel songs and Roman music as related to the Literature and History block.
Art & Handwork: A continuation of lessons in form drawing, geometric drawing, watercolor painting, four needle knitting, clay and woodworking.
Movement: Softball, basketball, gymnastics, kickball, volleyball and other complex and competitive team and individualized sport are the focus. Students can begin team sports as non-competitive practice team members. Eurythmy work expands and continues.
Grade 7
Language Arts: Expansion and review of all grammar, essays reading & writing, complex compositions, poetic forms, vocabulary and spelling are studied. Multidisciplinary teaching methods are used (such as movement, recitation, theater, art, music, etc.) Lessons relate to the History, Science and Math block.
Mathematics: Algebra, practical applications, area powers and roots and learned through real world applications, problem solving and note taking.
Science: Chemistry, Physiology and Physics are learned via reading, researching, writing, experimentation, Socratic inquiry, art and field trips.
Spanish: Reading, conversation, poetry and advanced grammar are taught along with continuing study of writing and translation
History & Geography: Students study worldwide cultures from 1400-1700 ACE including the Islamic Golden Age, the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, the growth of cultures in Africa and China, and the contact between Europe and the Americas. Lessons are learned through stories, writing, note taking, reading, project work, theater, music and art.
Music: Students learn both alto and tenor recorders, orchestra, choir, and Renaissance music as related to the Literature and History block.
Art & Handwork: Watercolor, geometric drawing, felting, perspective drawing, and woodworking
Movement: Basketball, gymnastics, kickball, volleyball and other complex and competitive team and individualized sport are the focus. Eurythmy work expands and continues.
Grade 8
Language Arts: Review all grammar, media literacy, business and practical writing. Multidisciplinary teaching methods are used (such as movement, recitation, theater, art, music, etc.). Lessons relate to the History, Science and Math block.
Mathematics: A continuation of more complex forms of Algebra, practical math applications, area powers and roots learned via problem solving, real world applications and note taking.
Science: Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology and Physics as learned via reading, researching, writing, experimentation, Socratic inquiry, art and field trips.
Spanish: Review and constitution of all skills — vocabulary building, dialogue, grammar and syntax.
History & Geography: Students study 1700 – Present. worldwide history, the industrial revolution and comparative biographies through reading, research, writing, reports, note taking, project work, theater, music and art. The geography and cultures of worldwide groups are presented and explored through a theme of revolution and reformation.
Music: Students learn both alto and tenor recorders, orchestra, choir, symphonic form, and American music as related to the Literature and History block.
Art & Handwork: Art History, watercolor, solid geometric drawing, charcoal drawing and woodworking. Student hand make a chair.
Movement: Basketball, gymnastics, kickball, volleyball and other complex and competitive team and individualized sport are the focus. Team sports are offered. Eurythmy work expands and continues.