Elementary Program

Waldorf education offers a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to learning. At Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, we integrate the arts in all academic disciplines for children from first through eighth grade to create a comprehensive educational experience.

When the children leave the Waldorf kindergarten and move into first grade, they carry with them a reverent and loving experience of nature and humanity. In the elementary grades, the content of the curriculum builds on what has gone before and unfolds in a way that is interesting and meaningful to the children of a particular grade because it addresses the development stages of the growing child. The children in a class form a community and travel the journey from childhood into adolescence together with their class teacher.

The Waldorf School of Pittsburgh offers a rich and diverse elementary program for grades 1 through 5. Please be sure to review the concepts and stepping stones of each grade under the Elementary Curriculum section of our site.

Special Subjects at Waldorf School of Pittsburgh

In addition to time spent with the class teacher for main lessons and other projects, the program offers the following supplemental classes:

• Foreign languages: Spanish & Russian

• Handwork & Woodwork

• Music, including string instruments

• Physical education, including eurythmy and games

Waldorf School of Pittsburgh Elementary Curriculum Matrix

A Typical Day in 4th Grade

Morning

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8:00 – 8:15 Arrivals and warm-up

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8:15 – 8:30 Welcome

• check in

• review schedule for the day

• singing

• stretching

• recorder playing

• verse

8:30 – 8:45 Movement, speech, memorization

• Games involving math or strategy, sequencing events, reasoning and collaboration

• Math practice and review

• Spelling (written and oral)

• Speech / Recitation (both long pieces that require memorization, and/or shorter tongue twisters)

8:45 – 10:30 Main Lesson

Rotate between blocks every 3 to 4 weeks

• Review and practice from previous lesson 

• New material

• Working time, writing in main lesson book

• Storytelling

10:30 – 11:00 Recess & Snack

11:00 –11:45 Spanish or Russian

11:45 – 12:30 Reading or Math

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Afternoon

12:30 – 1:15 Recess & Lunch

1:15 – 2:00 Games/Eurythmy

2:00  – 2:45 Instruments or Music

2:45 – 2:50 Handwork or Painting/Form Drawing/Modeling

2:50 – 3:10 Dismissal

For More Information

Please contact Director of Admissions Devon Wood to schedule a tour or to learn more about our Elementary Program.