Handbook
Curriculum Overview
Capacities which are built one step at a time, such as Math, begin with the introduction of all four processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) in 1st Grade. Students work with whole numbers until 4th Grade when fractions are introduced, followed by decimals and percentages in 5th Grade. Geometry begins in 6th Grade and the first algebra lessons come in 7th. The High School program includes Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and Math electives.
Language Arts build the capacity to convey meaning. Language Arts begin in 1st Grade with the introduction of the alphabet and writing. Language families introduce principles of phonics, and systematic grammar and spelling begins in 3rd grade. Essays and reports and creative writing assignments soon follow. The High School program includes journalism as well as substantial written projects, both creative and research-oriented.
Science, the capacity to see the physical world from the ‘inside out’ begins with nature studies in the early grades and continues with studies in farming in Grade 3, animals (4th), plants (5th), minerals (6th). Physics, Biology and Chemistry begin in 6th Grade and continue through 12th. Astronomy is usually taught in 6th Grade and the human body is studied in 7th and 8th Grades. In High School, the sciences comprise four of the nine morning lesson blocks of the year. Instead of studying one science for a year, there is one block per year in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Physics, and Chemistry, allowing each subject to return in a developmentally appropriate way.
The History curriculum can be grouped into three areas: cultural history, which happens throughout the grades; the history of civilizations, which enters the curriculum at Grade 5 and continues through the grades and into the high school; the historical path or the exploration of the human being’s relationship to the earth and how geography and landscape influence culture’s world views, which enters the curriculum at Grade 5. This historical path begins with the ancient civilizations of India, Persia, Mesopotia, Egypt and Greece, proceeds forward through the grades to the modern day in Grade 8, and culminates in the high school program with studies of History through Art (Grade 9), History through Language (Grade 10), History through Music (Grade 11) and History through Architecture (Grade 12).
Eurythmy, a movement art developed by Rudolf Steiner, is taught beginning in Early Childhood.
Games and Physical Education is first taught by the class teacher. Beginning in 3rd Grade, special subjects teachers are engaged for these classes.
German and Spanish language lessons begin in 1st Grade and may continue through 12th. High school students choose one language for specialization. Two years of language are required with 5 levels of language study available.
Vocal and Instrumental Music lessons are taught by both class teachers and special subjects teachers. First graders begin with pentatonic flute and lyre. The flute later gives way to the recorder. Third graders begin string instruction on the violin. Grades 5 and up sing in choral groups and participate in either band or orchestra. High school students participate in chorus as well as a single music elective, choices of which include strings ensemble, jazz band, percussion, guitar or vocal ensemble.
Handwork begins in 1st Grade with knitting and continues through High School. The curriculum includes felting, crocheting, sewing, basketry, weaving and bookbinding.
Modeling and Sculpture begin with beeswax figures in the early grades. Stone sculpture is added at the High School level.
Painting, beginning with wet-on-wet watercolor in the 1st Grade, is usually taught by class teachers until High School, at which point students take blocks in veil painting, landscape painting with oils and portraiture.
Drawing remains in the realm of the class teacher until High School when students take blocks in black and white drawing, block printing and the human form.
Woodworking begins in 5th Grade (based on instructor availability) and continues into the High School.
Metalworking is taught in grades 9-12 and includes beaten copper and enameling.
Class Trips & Service Learning
Class trips serve social and pedagogical purposes and have become a tradition at the Chicago Waldorf School. The trips gradually increase in length and scope, ranging from one-day field trips in the Early Childhood and 1st Grade, to overnight trips of a week or more in the 8th Grade. High School Service Learning Trips are two weeks long. Each Class Teacher or High School Class Advisor team plans their class trip based on the needs of the group and situation. Cost is also a consideration, and can vary depending on travel and housing choices. The 8th Grade Trip and High School Service Learning Trip fees are included in the fee schedule and payable monthly.
First Grade: Day trips provide the children with an experience outside of school and sometimes expose children to an artistic and/or cultural event.
Second Grade: Day trips and/or 1 or 2 nights at a nearby nature area allow the class to experience the outdoors and to build the social group by working together.
Third Grade: Up to 3 days at a working farm allow the students to experience first hand what they have learned in the farming blocks.
Fourth Grade: Up to 4 days at a winter camp, in which the class observes animal tracks and habitat, learns cross country skiing and ice skating, permits the class to live into pedagogical themes of the year, and lays a foundation for 5th Grade botany.
Fifth Grade: The Waldorf Pentathlon, in which students match skills with 5th Graders from other Midwest Waldorf Schools in a 3-to-5 day trip, provides the students with a living experience of ancient Greek civilization. Parents are invited to attend the 1 day Pentathlon event but are asked not to bring siblings.
Sixth Grade: A 3-to-5 day caving trip provides the students with an experience of the processes they learned about in their mineralogy block.
Seventh Grade: A 3-to-5 day trip to participate in a high ropes course emphasizes group dynamics, team building and self confidence.
Eighth Grade: A 6-to-8 day trip is designed to challenge students as individuals and as a group. Past trips have included mountain climbing, white water rafting, canoeing and service learning.
Ninth Grade: 12-to-14 days learning about care of the land and life in a biodynamic farming community at the Community Homestead in Osceola, Wisconsin.
Tenth Grade: 12-to-14 days learning about new ways of building. Past trips have included working with Habitat for Humanity, Solar Adventures and with other Waldorf schools in North America.
Eleventh Grade: 12-to-14 days of learning about living in community with handicapped adults at Kimberton Hills Camphill Village in Kimberton, Pennsylvania.
Twelfth Grade: 10-to-14 days of work at various sites around the world. Past trips have been to Colorado, Arizona, Mexico and Israel.
There may be additional trips whose fees are not included in the contract such as the Senior Class Annual Marine Biology Trip to Hermit Island, Maine, an autumn High School camping trip for three days in the Indiana Dunes, a possible senior conference or a Eurythmy performance trip or other field trips that may be planned by Grade School or High School faculty. Fees for these trips are the responsibility of the students and their parents over and above the contract costs.
Individual class fundraising efforts are limited to 8th Grade pizza sales and contributions to the 8th, 10th and 12th Grade plays.