Grade Four students often display self-assurance and the sense that they have “arrived.”
Grade Four students often display self-assurance and the sense that they have “arrived.”
Norse mythology is studied throughout the year, giving students many stories centering on strength of character, courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance, and the ability to choose consciously.
The language arts curriculum emphasizes independent writing and longer dictations. There is practice with spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and vocabulary development. Parts of speech and tenses are introduced along with independent and group reading exercises and book reports.
“I am deeply grateful for Waldorf education, which woke me up and helped me rediscover my imagination.”
Michael Ende
Author of “The Never-ending Story”
Former Waldorf student
Mirroring the sense of the world as breaking apart at this age, fractions are introduced. Other mathematical operations of study include practice with measurement, the four basic operations, long division, and more advanced multiplication.
Students need a great deal of form to meet school tasks, both academic and otherwise. Self-discipline and healthy work habits are developed at this age, often through spelling words and vocabulary lists in French and English.
Increasing objectivity permeates the curriculum, such as in the first overt science study: study of the self and observation of similarities, differences and relationships between the human being and animals. This study is extended through painting, clay modelling, play acting, and poetry recitation.
Geography study starts with the local area and its geographical characteristics. The class studies the culture of First Nations people before the arrival of the Europeans and the effects of their arrival.
Main Lessons:
Arithmetic (fractions); reading, grammar, spelling, composition, and dramatization; local geography and history; Norse mythology and sagas; study of the human being and the animal kingdom; a possible class play.
Subject Lessons:
French grammar and reading; music – songs in parts, alto and tenor recorders, a stringed instrument (violin or cello); eurythmy (a movement art) when possible; painting; embroidery; hand-sewing and cross-stitch; physical education; form drawing; gardening.
