Russian is an integral part of the curriculum in all grades at the Anchorage Waldorf School. Initially taught through story, song, rhyme and movement, students become acquainted with the qualities of different cultures. As students progress through the grades, they develop skills in grammar, reading and translation.
Music is an integral part of the curriculum. First and second graders concentrate on singing, playing the pentatonic flute and practicing general music skills such as careful listening, pitch-matching and rhythmic clapping. The diatonic recorder is introduced in third grade, along with music notation and singing in rounds. In grades four through eight, violin is added to the curriculum. In violin class they learn to play the violin and have their first experience establishing a practice routine at home. In general music class, the fourth and fifth graders learn to sing rounds and two-part songs, play recorder music in parts and study music notation and sight-reading. Starting in fifth grade, some students choose to play viola or cello, or delve deeper into ensemble recorder playing.
Handwork and Woodwork
Through handwork, children learn the value of creating practical and beautiful objects with their own hands. All children are provided with the opportunity to learn to knit, crochet, cross-stitch and sew.
See also this article on Knitting and Intellectual Development.
Movement and Games
Goals of the Movement and Games Program at the Anchorage Waldorf School
- To prepare the child for kind deeds by developing the ability to work and play with (and as) a group.
- To prepare the child for brave deeds by developing a sense of growing strength, flexibility and stamina.
- To prepare the child for responsible deeds by developing the ability to listen and follow directions.
- To prepare the child for graceful, joyful deeds and balance in movement and life through circus arts, tumbling and Bothmer Gymnastics.
- To develop an understanding and a healthy approach to movement and exercise, as well as specific skills in relationship to sport and games.
What is Eurythmy?
Eurythmy is an art, in which the human body recreates in space the sounds of speech and the tones and intervals of music.
Through doing Eurythmy children develop powers of imagination, concentration and presence of mind. The children learn to recognize what part they as individuals have to play in a social group. Interaction between the outer world and their own inner life is brought into harmony through doing rhythmical exercises.
For the young child in Class One the fairytale can be brought into their life of movement. The darting fish in the tale is the same image as the eurythmy sound ‘f’, so is the sound and movement ‘B’ for the big brown bear. Music is also a part of the lesson, the children walk and run forms in space, and step different qualities of rhythms: i.e. the light Anapaest for the prince’s horse galloping through the forest, or the Spondee for the giant walking heavily home from his hard day’s work.
As the children grow older more complicated movements are introduced and this culminates in items of music and poetry being performed in the higher classes.
Thanks to Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School for this apt description!