The teacher engages the children in a main lesson by appealing to all pathways of learning -- the head, the heart and the hands. For example, a math lesson comes alive in a story; through manipulatives; in art; and in structured movement. By integrating the arts and activities into academic pursuits, the experience creates a lifelong love of learning in the child.

One of the keys to the success of the Waldorf educational philosophy is the Class Teacher, who ideally moves with the class from first through eighth grade. This continuity provides a true gift to students, parents and the teacher. It allows tailoring of the curriculum to meet the specific needs of the children. Personal and academic challenges are not "passed on;" instead, the teacher and parents work together in partnership to support the student's long term growth, academically, physically and socially.

Reading and writing are drawn primarily from the content of fables, nature stories, saint stories and legends. The first elements of composition are practiced. Speech development continues. Dramatic arts are introduced. Arithmetic, including basic operations with expanded application and larger numbers and the multiplication tables are explored.

Reading, spelling, composition and grammar are refined. Studies of practical activities, emphasizing farming and house building as the basis for geography and science, begin. Creative and performance arts continue. Third grade begins the of study of mythology and folk culture through stories from the Old Testament. Arithmetic progresses to advanced application of basic operations, measurements of time, space, weights and money and facility with multiplication tables.